Just Say it! Nick and Mish head north to help
Well known business owners Nick and Mish Say called for donations and goods and drove to Lismore.
Community groups across Phillip Island have been raising money to help with the New South Wales and Queensland floods.
Well known business owners Nick and Mish Say took it one step further, calling for donations and goods that they would personally drive to Lismore.
They put out a call on the Phillip Island Winery and Westernport Hotel Facebook pages for food, water, fuel, vouchers, generators, extension cords, batteries, phones, phone chargers, cleaning products, tools, Gyprock plaster board, sanitary items, nappies and school supplies.
“Mish and I couldn’t decide the best way to help at this devastating time, so we thought we’d hitch the trailer up and head north to wherever we were needed,” Nick told the Advertiser.
“We threw the idea out through the Westernport and the Winery socials and as always – the local community got right behind it. Within 24 hours we had more donations than we could handle, so Tim and Bec Newman, partners in the winery offered to bring a vanload up too. Times like these remind us what an incredible community we live in, and as often is the case – it was some of the most affected from the situation over the last two years that donated the most.”
Nick said it was impossible to list everyone who supported the call, but said it ranged from children donating $2 from their piggy bank, to $500.
“Local businesses have been very supportive with donations of tools and electrical supplies, a pallet of water, a box of mobile phones and phone chargers. Multiple local hospitality venues’ staff have donated their tips. Families have been dropping off food, medical and sanitary supplies, cash, fuel vouchers, tools, bedding and clothes, coffee machines, the list goes on.
“The most rewarding thing for us has been everyone's response,” Nick said. “Often we all want to help but don't quite know what to do, so despite the best of intentions end up doing nothing.
“For anyone still looking to donate, our research led us to Givit. From what we can tell it's an organisation getting help directly where it's needed.”
Nick thanked the local community for putting their faith in him.
“For everyone that has donated, please know every cent and every item donated will land in the hands of someone that desperately needs it. And thanks again to our amazing community.”
The couple loaded up a truck and trailer and headed north last weekend, but the good Samaritans’ plans hit a snag when they broke down in Albury.
Last Wednesday, Nick told the Advertiser they hoped to be back on the road and heading towards Lismore later that day.
