Northern NSW floods: North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club raises huge $70,000

A group of junior lifesavers – with the support of Olympic gold medallists and NRL players – has raised a massive $70,000 for flood-affected residents in northern NSW.

When seven young members of the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club brainstormed ways to help flood-hit communities, they could not have imagined the result that followed.

In a matter of days, the team had reached out to all kinds of businesses and residents happy to help in whatever way they could, in a mammoth effort that culminated in the fundraising of more than $70,000 for northern NSW flood victims.

North Bondi SLSC raised more than $70,000 for Northern NSW flood affected communities on Sunday night.

One of the organisers Jarrod Poort was quick to point out the women first thought of the idea.

“We have connections with the surf clubs up there as we often go up and race there and we were devastated in what we were seeing,” the club’s swimming leader said.

“The girls thought of having fundraising event at the surf club and so we brainstormed ideas on how we can donate to families up there to help a bit.”

The group held a fundraiser with prizes ranging from food and drinks to shirts signed by famous athletes.

It was the first time younger members Annie Zieme, Brianna Tier, Georgia Thomso, Jarrod James, Josh Stevens, Kirra Lowlett, Olivia Walker and Jarrod Poort had organised an event, which featured live music and a raffle with thousands of dollars worth of prizes for the 300 attendees.

Mr Poort said all seven organisers were junior members who raced with the club throughout Australia.

“I’ve never really been involved in something like this before, so to see the community involvement was amazing,” he said.

“It was really rewarding to help in some way.”

Event organisers: Annie Zieme, Brianna Tier, Georgia Thomso, Jarrod James, Josh Stevens, Kirra Lowlett, Olivia Walker, Jarrod Poort, with former club president Mark Cotter.

Among the big names who supported the event were Olympian gold medallist swimmers Emma McKeon and Matt Horton, who donated T-shirts signed by the Australian swimming team.

Another popular item was a signed jersey and training package with Sydney Roosters player Victor Radley.

Olympic swimming champion Emma McKeon donated a signed jersey. Picture: Toby Zerna

Professional boxer Harry Garside donated signed gloves and training packages ahead of his big fight this weekend.

As well as huge interest in the impressive list of famous names who got on board, Mr Poort said many raffle holders loved the family holiday packages where residents had put their coastal homes up to be visited.

Victor Radley of the Roosters donated a training package and signed jersey. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The money will be donated via the non-for-profit GIVIT Foundation, which has partnered with the NSW Government to help people and communities affected by floods across the state.

The organisation’s website states GIVIT is “managing donations of money, items, services and volunteering during recovery via the Severe Storms and Flooding Appeal”.