An appeal held in conjunction with the Illawarra Hawks and the Illawarra Mercury has raised over $40,000 to aid those affected by the nation's bushfires.
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A fundraiser was held for the Salvation Army Bushfire Disaster Appeal at the NBL game between the Hawks and Melbourne United at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.
The Mercury donated its game night sponsorship and promotion to raise funds for the appeal and even before tip-off $30,000 had been raised.
Local disability services provider Greenacres kicked off the appeal committing $10,000 and another club sponsor in Peoplecare contributed $5000.
Venues NSW also contributed $5000 and Ticketmaster pledged to contribute $2 from every ticket sold to tonight's game to the appeal.
There were other sizable donations from Hello Petal Flowers, Kellie O'Brien Media, Shellharbour Electrical, There and Back Shuttles and club supporter Michael Brown.
Young Hawks local star Angus Glover also donated a pair of signed shoes which were auctioned in the pre-game and raised $1000.
Salvation Army volunteers collecting at the game also reported receiving over $9000 in donations from patrons in buckets at the game.
Online donations are yet to be calculated and the final tally is expected to rise again.
"Greenacres over the last 60 years has relied heavily on the community for support, in such a catastrophic situation it was a really easy decision that we needed to give something back," Greenacres CEO Chris Christodoulou said this morning.
"We think it's really important that the whole of the community and all other organisations give a bit because lots of little bits will make a big difference to all of those people impacted by this catastrophe.
"We're a community sponsor of the Hawks and when the Hawks and Illawarra Mercury announced this appeal we thought this was the right place for us to make a donation."
Aaron Anderson, the corporate partnerships manager from the Illawarra Hawks, said appeal was a strong show of support for nearby communities impacted by fires.
"On the back of the Illawarra Mercury and their great partnership with the Illawarra Hawks, it can be used as a vehicle to mobilise some funds through the Salvation Army to the areas that need it," Mr Anderson said.
Illawarra Mercury editor Julian O'Brien thanked everyone for their support and kind donations to the appeal as well as the Hawks and Salvation Army for their assistance.
