Australian Bush Fire Fund - Nov 2009
The Australian Bush Fire Fund was set up following the devastation caused to the communities in the State of Victoria, Australia in February 2009. The magnificent sum of £5000 has been raised. Following liaison with the Australian Horse Council this money will be used to re-establish an Equine Veterinary Practice - "Bray Equine Vets" - based in Kinglake a town which endured some of the heaviest losses of life and infrastructure.
Dr H Simon Bray tells his story and how the UK funds will be used:-
"During the fires our clinic which was situated in the heart of Kinglake was completely destroyed along with all our equipment.
We also live in Kinglake and the fire tore through our own property. We managed to evacuate two horses through the flames and another two were stranded with my wife's 75 year old father. They all spent the night in a neighbouring town before being evacuated out to another property.
A friend and I fought the fires for four days and managed to save our home and stables where the remaining horses were being sheltered. These horses were also eventually evacuated as we had lost our fencing, water supply, shelter and pasture.
We remain positive and have continued to look forward and try to rebuild our businesses and our property. After the initial crisis period when we all donated our time towards the relief efforts we have erected a small temporary clinic at the back of our property.
We have been slowly rebuilding our equipment and are lucky enough to now have an ultrasound and xray equipment. We have also been lent an anaesthetic machine from a supplier for our small animals. Our intention is to build a crush and a few yards to allow our equine clients to have procedures done at our home and continue to build up our equipment and medical supplies.
We hope to eventually rebuild our small animal clinic in Kinglake but the equine business will continue to be based from our home. Your donation would be very helpful to assist with the construction of these facilities."
Dr H Simon Bray
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the fund. Your generosity and kindness will go a long way to assisting our equine compatriots in Victoria, Australia who are extremely appreciative of the support provided by those listed below:-
The National Pony Society and its Areas
Equinational Photography
The Welsh Pony and Cob Society and its Associations
The Northern Counties Pony Association and its Branches
Ponies Association [UK] ,
The British Show Pony Society - Area 8
The Scottish Welsh Pony & Cob Society
Horse Deals Magazine
UK Pony Studs
The Midland Counties Show
NPS/Top-Spec Dressage Working Group & Finalists
Donations from the Republic of Ireland and USA
and much appreciated support from many very generous individuals in the UK
Thank you again and very best wishes to you all,
Liz Mansfield-Parnell & Stephanie Fitt - November 2009
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February 2009
Thousands of people lost their Families, their Homes, their Animals, their Land and their Places of Work to the biggest fire in Australian history www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxuKmcyyT1g
Today thousands have no homes, no animals, land burnt to cinders and nowhere to work
The Australian Bush Fire Fund
has been established in the UK by Members of the National Pony Society
who would appreciate the support of
Show Societies, Members of UK Equine Breed Societies, the British Racing & Thoroughbred Industries, BETA members, the UK Equine Press, Young Farmers Clubs, Veterinary Surgeries, Farriers, the NFU and indeed all organisations & citizens to participate in raising funds for these people whom News coverage has now forgotten.
February 2009 - Two sisters died going trying to save their ponies, families died in their cars trying to escape, breeders had to decide which 3 animals out of their 20 they could transport, the elderly were trapped in thier homes, a man was forced to stay in lake for hours whilst the fires ravaged around him, main roads melted and are impassable to this day.
PLEASE ASSIST THE FUND RAISING
BY DONATING TO THE
"AUSTRALIAN BUSH FIRE FUND"
Money raised will be forwarded to "Project Hope - Equine" a non profit organisation under by The Horse Council of Australia run entirely on donations. "Project Hope" has been established to help those affected by the Bush Fires by providing Welfare, much needed fodder, fancing, re-instating & equipping Veterinary Centres and encourage rural life to begin AGAIN.
Please forward cheques made out to the "Australian Bush Fire Fund" to
MRS MANSFIELD- PARNELL - Rotherwood Stud, Nook Farm, Ashby-De-La-Zouche, Leicestershire, LE65 2QG
Mrs Mansfield_Parnell would like to thank MOST sincerely the genrosity of all at the NPS AGM, and others since, for their support
FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE FROM
STEPHANIE FITTEMAIL: Equicomm@btinternet.com