GIVIT Gold Coast Appeal for those who lost loved ones in the tragedy at Dreamworld surpasses $400,000

A DREAMWORLD disaster family support fund has quadrupled just a week after its launch.

Floral tributes are laid outside the Dreamworld Theme Park on the Gold Coast — a support fund for the affected families has climbed through $400,000. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

A DREAMWORLD disaster family support fund has quadrupled just a week after its launch.

Ten local organisations kickstarted the GIVIT Gold Coast Appeal with a collective $100,000 pledge.

The Gold Coast Titans, Mantra Group, Hot Tomato, Bond University, Gold Coast Airport, Star Entertainment Group, City of Gold Coast, Ramsay Health and the Gold Coast Bulletin all chipped in $10,000 each to give the fund a healthy start.

Since then donations, mainly from locals including many who wish to remain anonymous, have seen the fund climb past $200,000.

The fund’s Independent Distribution Committee member Catherine O’Sullivan, the Bond University Pro-Vice Chancellor, yesterday said extra donations since and the pledge by Ardent Leisure CEO Deborah Thomas to donate her entire $167,500 bonus would see the fund surpass $400,000.

One hundred per cent of the money donated is to be distributed to the affected families. Canberra trio of mother Kate Goodchild, 32, her brother Luke Dorsett, 35, his partner Roozi Araghi, 38, were killed in the Thunder River Rapids ride incident along with Sydney visitor Cindy Low, 42.

“We know after heartbreaking incidents like the one that happened at Dreamworld, there is an outpouring of generosity from those who want to give.

“I can confirm the intent of this committee is to distribute 100 per cent of the money received by the GIVIT Gold Coast Appeal to the families of those directly impacted by the Dreamworld tragedy.

“It is vitally important people who donate know this committee is independent and is acting quickly to make sure funds are available to meet any immediate and emergent needs that these families may have.”

The fund’s Independent Distribution Committee is Ms O’Sullivan, City of Gold Coast’s Brooke Denholder, Red Cross Queensland director Leisa Bourne, ex-Queensland Premier Rob Borbidge and GIVIT board chairman Greg Goebel.