Ron and Marion Burchill with Red Cross’s Andrew Hilton and McEwen MP Fran Bailey. In the background is the dwindling waterline and burnt treetops of Maroondah Dam.By Kath Gannaway
A SPECIALLY designed embroidered patch and a 2000 kilometre road trip have added up to a $4,370-plus donation to the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Relief Appeal.
Queensland couple Ron and Marion Burchill closed the doors on their Beerwah business, The Patch Shop, on Tuesday 10 March, arriving in Healesville on Sunday with the proceeds of sales of the limited edition patches.
The couple were met in Healesville by Australian Red Cross Executive Director Andrew Hilton and McEwen MP Fran Bailey.
The Burchills financed 700 of the patches which depict a map of Victoria, flames and the words “Support for Victorian bushfire survivors, Black Saturday, 2009.
They were sold en route and by mail all around Australia and in countries including America, Italy and England, with all proceeds going to the appeal.
Mr Hilton said the more than $245 million dollars raised since the fires had been made possible by people like Marion and Ron all around Australia and overseas.
“So many different individuals and groups have done so many things, from school children donating $100, to sporting groups donating tens of thousands of dollars,” he said.
Ms Bailey added her thanks on behalf of the people of McEwen saying it was a fantastic effort.
“The different ways in which Australians have gone to extraordinary lengths to raise money for our bushfire communities is overwhelming.
“This is another example of that,” she said.
