Equestrian Industry raises funds for Bushfire Affected Community
Equestrian Western Australia (EWA) has established the EWA Bushfire Relief Fund to assist those with horses who have been impacted by the devastating Wooroloo bushfire, to which Racing and Wagering Western Australia’s (RWWA) Community TAB program has donated $10,000.
EWA established the fund through the Australian Sports Foundation to assist those in need and support their equestrian community as many lost their homes or sustained damage to their property.
EWA Chief Executive Officer Dwight Pedlow said the EWA community is saddened by the loss and damage sustained in the Wooroloo bushfire.
“The EWA Bushfire Relief Fund provides the opportunity for both cash as well as new product donations, and the funds are able to be distributed to support the owners of horses with the replacement of any equipment or property repairs that are horse related,” Dwight said.
“With the most generous donation of $10,000 by RWWA’s Community TAB program, we can locally source and purchase high quality equestrian equipment and products which will assist in returning equestrians to their sport of choice, even better; the beneficiaries of these funds do not need to be EWA members, all horse owners including racehorse owners are eligible.”
“During these challenging times it is heart-warming to see how the equestrian community rallies together and it proves the ongoing importance of the State Equestrian Centre (SEC) as first port of call as a central evacuation point.”
“We are currently working closely with Blaze Aid, who have set up camp at the SEC, which works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods, and their volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.”
Dwight added that EWA and the SEC are committed to providing the infrastructure that Blaze Aid needs to support their program.
RWWA CEO Ian Edwards said RWWA is proud to be able to promote and financially contribute to those affected.
“It has been devastating to see the community impacted by these terrifying bushfires and RWWA felt the need to contribute not only as our equestrian community of people and animals were in the affected area, but we also had our own staff who live and take part in equestrian pursuits in the area affected also,” Ian said.
“The welfare of our animals and people is the most important priority to RWWA and we know the EWA Bushfire Relief Fund will fulfill its purpose in supporting those in need and help rebuild some of the loss that has been felt.”
Any donation of $2 or more is tax-deductible with all contributions going towards community members with horses who have lost or damaged items as a result of the fire, including fencing and land recovery items, feed, horse welfare items, equipment or other necessities.
To make a donation, please visit: http://bit.ly/EWABushfireReliefFund