Wollondilly Shire Council has activated the Mayoral Relief Fund to provide financial support to the families directly affected by Tuesday night’s tragic accident at Buxton where five young lives were lost.
The fund is now open for donations, with contributions going directly to the families and any additional funds raised providing funding towards youth mental health and driver safety campaigns.
“Nothing we can do will remove the overwhelming anguish these families are experiencing but we can help to relieve some of the immediate financial burden so they can focus on grieving,’’ Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould said.
“It has been an extremely difficult week for Wollondilly, with the community still coming to terms with the loss of five young local lives.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved, the Picton High School and Buxton communities and the emergency responders who dealt with this heartbreaking scene.
“We are a resilient community that unites together during times like this, and it has been heartening to see people coming together to support each other during this difficult time.
“Council is committed to providing whatever support we can, and although we can’t take away the emotional pain, we hope that we can at least alleviate some of the financial stress at this time.”
To donate visit https://www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/relief
You can also donate in person at council’s administration building.
There have also been some questions as to how the funds will be distributed. All funds raised will be distributed as follows:
Available funds will be distributed equitably amongst families directly affected;
Should a family decline financial support in totality, available funds will be distributed amongst the remaining families equitably;
Should a family decline further financial support, available funds will be distributed amongst the remaining families equitably;
Should all families decline further financial support from the Mayor’s Relief Fund (MRF), the MRF will cease receiving additional donations and all remaining available funds will be distributed equally between road safety and youth mental health programs.
