Flood victims relying on generous Victorians for help

Businessman Gerry Ryan is among a host of generous Victorians answering the desperate call-out to help put a roof over the head of flood victims.

Flood victims in desperate need of a roof over their head are relying on the generosity of big hearted Victorians to loan them their caravans.

Businessman Gerry Ryan has joined the cause, already sourcing 100 caravans for Rochester locals who lost their home in the flood disaster.

The Jayco CEO told the Herald Sun he stands willing to help secure even more of the temporary homes for people who may be impacted over the coming days in Echuca’s flooding emergency.

“We’ve seen people become homeless because of these floods. They’re in dire straits,” Mr Ryan said.

“They certainly need a roof over their head while they rebuild.”

Mr Ryan encouraged kind-spirited Victorians to back the cause by helping where they could.

“There are a lot of people across Victoria that care,” he said.

“My message to the victims is there are people that are out there, they do care about others and they are prepared to help out where they can.”

Rochester flood victims Michael Speight and his daughter Belinda with dog Banjo, now live in caravans. Picture: David Caird

Flooding on the Murray river in Echuca. Picture: David Caird

Mr Ryan said he had so far sourced 100 caravans from the Jayco dealer network for displaced residents and is hoping to work with government and organisations on the ground to ensure support was reached by those who needed it.

The call for caravans follows a similar scheme which saw NSW flood victims provided emergency housing on wheels earlier this year.

That flood relief program was driven by online caravan-sharing company Camplify, which has also called on its national community to dig deep.

“We have already started to see an increase in demand in Victoria,’’ Camplify founder and chief executive Justin Hales said.

“And we urge local van owners with suitable RVs to submit their interest in our Flood Relief Program so we can start connecting temporary caravan accommodation to those who need it most.

“We are calling upon our incredible Camplify community of van owners as well as those who have an unutilised van sitting at home.”

Gerry Ryan is helping to source caravans.

Mr Hales said having worked with the NSW government and Resilience NSW in recent months highlighted the importance of communities rallying together.

“We know that this might not be a short-term hire, with rebuilding potentially taking up to six to 12 months,” he said.

“With that in mind, we have seen how caravans from the Camplify community provide people in need with a reliable home while they manage the difficult task of repairing and rebuilding from the floods, while staying in their local communities.”