NSW bushfires: Bankstown’s Fijian Indian group supports families, firefighters

A tight-knit community is stepping up its efforts to provide relief - including food and breathing masks - for the hundreds of families affected by the devastating bushfires.

One of the residents in Balmoral greets Fijian Indian community leaders Navnit Anand and Bobby Mishra.

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Much-needed relief in terms of food hampers, fresh water and breathing masks, collected by the Fijian Indian Community, has been handed over to south west fire stations and families affected by the devastating bushfires.

The Fijian Indian community, via its Bankstown-based arm Yaadein Vision Australia, visited several affected suburbs, including Picton, Balmoral, Hill Top and Wollondilly, last week to hand over the items.

Bobby Mishra, the Director of the Yaadein Vision Group, told The Express they were happy to help those in need, including the exhausted firefighters.

Members of the Fiji Indian Community and members of the Balmoral Village fire station.

“We handed over 150 food packs, 1000 water bottles, 540 breathing masks and also donated $1000 to the Rural Fire Services,” Mr Mishra said.

“We are based at Bankstown but are active in Liverpool, Fairfield, Blacktown, Campbelltown with our members also assisting in education for the poor and needy children.

“In addition to Australia we have Yaadein Vision branches in New Zealand, USA and Canada.”

The Fiji Indian Community with some of the goods they handed out to families in the bushfire affected areas.

Mr Mishra said they raised $1000 from a barbecue at the Hoxton Park Bunnings for the RFS and also handed over Christmas cakes during their visits to the venues.

He said it took the group a week to collect the much-appreciated items and they are now planning to return to Balmoral on Sunday, January 12, to host a lunch for the Balmoral and Hills Top fire fighters.

AID CONVOY

Meanwhile, Canterbury Bankstown Deputy Mayor Bilal El-Hayek is co-ordinating efforts by Bankstown PCYC to provide more water, non-perishable food and sanitary items for fire-affected communities.

The appeal is jointly run by Lighthouse Community Support, Human Appeal and PCYC, who plan to take the items to South Coast and Bega depending on the roads being opened.

Bobby Mishra hands over the cheque for $1000 to Wollondilly Emergency Control Centre’s Captain Ron Bolton.

This will be the second aid convoy to be sent by the same group for victims of the bushfires.

Canned food, rice, pasta, bottled water, nappies, wipes and women’s sanitary items are among the items being collected at 90, Haldon St, Lakemba on Tuesday from 10am-7pm.

“Every small donation would be much appreciated,” Cr El-Hayek said.

More details on this fundraiser: 0410 111 161.