Turia Pitt launches Instagram account to promote businesses impacted by bushfires

Turia Pitt has spoken of her bushfire ordeal in an emotional post, describing what it’s like to watch “your skin bubble before your very eyes”.

One of Australia’s most incredible bushfire survivors has started an initiative to help businesses in bushfire-impacted areas get back on their feet.

Turia Pitt has launched SpendWithThem on Instagram to be a platform for small businesses to promote themselves and their products.

The initiative launched less than 24 hours ago and already has built up 40,500 followers at the time of writing.

It is Ms Pitt’s way of helping impacted communities as the current fires near her small town of Ulladulla have brought back painful memories of her own experience with fire.

In 2011, at the age of 24, Ms Pitt was trapped by an out-of-control grass fire while competing in a 100km ultra-marathon in the outback.

She suffered full thickness burns to 65 per cent of her body and has spent the past seven years recovering from her injuries.

Turia Pitt spent over six months in hospital due to fire-related injuries. Picture: Andy Baker

It was this experience that made her want to yell at her friends who wanted to stay and defend their homes as fires raged closer.

“You have no idea that a fire sounds like a thousand road trains coming towards you. You have no idea how hot it feels and that you will watch your skin bubble before your very eyes,” she said.

“You have no idea that the smoke will feel like it’s invading every single one of your pores. And you have no idea that in those last few seconds where it’s almost upon you that you will KNOW that you are about to die.”

But rather than scream, Ms Pitt told her Instagram followers that she instead wanted to help communities to rebuild as she herself has done.

Taking inspiration from campaigns like GoWithEmptyEskies and the BuyFromTheBush campaign Ms Pitt set up SpendWithThem to promote impacted businesses.

“This is a way to put money directly in the pockets of the people and communities who need it the most, and need it NOW,” she told her followers.

“Help them rebuild. Make them feel heard. Spend with them.”

Ms Pitt told News.com.au that the campaign was an important part of the rebuilding process for these communities.

“The reality is that these towns and communities are going to need our help long after the initial threat is all over.

“We hope that SpendWithThem can be a way to help business owners, not just now, but into the future,” she said.

One of the first brands promoted was Akwa Surf in the town of Milton in New South Wales that holds a special place in Ms Pitt’s heart.

They were one of the first businesses to organise a surfing contest fundraiser for Ms Pitt to help her back on her feet following the 2011 fires.

But businesses from all over Australia, including a small winery in Adelaide Hills and a gin distiller in the Bega Valley, are represented.

Speaking on the Today show this morning, Ms Pitt said the campaign was all about putting money into the pockets of people who needed it.

“There’s been fundraising that people have done for the Rural Fire Service and other organisations like this, and this is just another way that people can show their support,” Ms Pitt said.

Already Ms Pitt was blown away by the response, telling news.com.au that her and her business partner Grace McBride were so fortunate to be surrounded by giving people.

“The response has been amazing, - but that’s just indicative of the amazing stuff people are already doing.

“You know, I’ve got mates travelling by kayak to drop off food and water for wildlife, my brother-in-law has been evacuating people in his boat, Celeste Barber has raised $40 million,” she said.

Ms Pitt urged all Australians who could to donate to the Red Cross and the RFS and CFA and if they wanted to do more they should find a local business to support through SpendWithThem.

“Each sale of a bag of coffee beans or a bottle of wine will see money go directly into the pocket of a local business owner who really needs it. It will do more than you know.”

SIMILAR CAMPAIGNS

The GoWithEmptyEskies campaign was begun by Tegan Webber and encouraged people to plan a road trip to the communities impacted once they were safe.

The campaign encouraged Australians to go with empty eskies and spend money in the communities.

The BuyFromTheBush campaign has been running since before the fires started to help regional communities and recently partnered with PayPal for Christmas gifts.

The campaign is a way to promote businesses in regional areas and to give Australians a chance to support rural communities.

The website allows Australians to buy a range of products including kids toys, art and jewellery directly from small businesses.