Michelle Gethin encouraged fundraising activities by local sporting groups and schools and said last week that she was pleased with the groups’ efforts.

“The Merredin and Nungarin communities raised $7,383.60,” she said.

“There was other fundraising organised during this time by clubs and businesses, but my amount does not include these donations.

“All told, Merredin and Nungarin’s contributions probably topped $10,000.”

Donations came in from the Nungarin Tennis Club which raised $1,679.90 from its Men’s Open Day,

Merredin Districts Lawn Tennis Club $1,000 from its Open Day, South Merredin Primary School $811 from a money chain, North Merredin Primary School $308.10 from a free dress day, Merredin Senior High School, $1,300 from a free dress day and teacher’s dress up day, Merredin Seventh Day Adventist Church, $536 from a vegetarian lunch fundraiser and the Welcome to Merredin event, $238 in donations. Mrs Gethin said there were several sizeable personal donations as well.

“Merredin and Nungarin are amazingly generous communities and came up with some novel ideas for fundraising,” she said.

She said she had help from Beth Smith, Heather Giles and Kevin Tengvall in organising the fundraising.

The donations have been forwarded to the Red Cross through the Commonwealth Bank and receipts will be issued to all clubs and schools who organised an event and individuals who gave their contact details.

“I feel privileged to live in a small community that cares so much to give support to those who have lost everything,” Mrs Gethin said.

“A special thank you should go to all the local children who raided their moneyboxes for the cause.”