Bundaberg donates AU$500,000 to Australian Red Cross

Diageo-owned Bundaberg Rum has donated AU$500,000 (US$345,000) to the Australian Red Cross to support communities affected by wildfires raging across the country.

The Australian rum maker donated to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, which supports evacuation centres in affected areas, provides emergency assistance, offers psychological first aid to reduce trauma, and supports volunteers working on behalf of the charity.

The Bundaberg Distillery, in Queensland, Australia, said that after facing two fires at the distillery in its history it was “acutely aware that the road to recovery is long”.

In a post on its Facebook page, the Australian rum brand said: “The last few months have been tough for our beautiful country and for so many in its rural and regional communities.

“We’re donating $500,000 to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund to support its efforts in aiding these resilient communities impacted by the bushfires who need it today, tomorrow and in the months ahead on their road to recovery.

“Every Australian is heartbroken over what we’ve lost in these fires, but at the same time, the Australian culture of mateship has shown hope in the face of the harshest adversity.”