Fire funds flow

By Kath Gannaway
THERE was no doubting where the loyalties and appreciation of Ritchies IGA customers lay following Black Saturday.
Ritchies CEO Fred Harrison said the Ritchies Community Chest program – a customer reward program – raised $46,000 for the brigade in less than six months. It was one of the most outstanding fundraising efforts in the card’s history, Mr Harrison said.
The brigade also showed its appreciation for the effort of IGA on the weekend of the fires.
Mr Harrison and company director Malcolm Cameron were at Yarra Glen on Black Saturday for the official launch of the new supermarket. As the tragic events unfolded, they found themselves playing a very different role as evacuees flooded into their new shop.
The supermarket became a safe place for people and pets with Mr Harrison directing staff to provide for the more than 500 devastated people. Firefighters and police also headed there for a break from the horrific conditions.
On the Monday, Ritchies organised a $100,000 donation from their Emergency Relief Fund and they have now donated more than $240,000 for Bushfire Relief.
Yarra Glen CFA captain Bill Boyd recently presented Mr Harrison with an award, a series of photos of the bushfires taken by local photographer Adrienne Gilligan, in recognition of the company’s assistance during the fires.
Mr Harrision said seeing the community come together as they did had been wonderful.
“I am proud that the Community Benefit Card has been able to assist in such a positive manner,” he said. Mr Boyd said the funds would go toward refurbishing and upgrading the Yarra Glen CFA building and toward a new fire truck if the CFA approved an interest free loan.
“Whenever our siren goes, someone is going to get the benefit of that donation,” he said. Ritchies won the BRW ANZ Private Business Awards 2009 award for Excellence in Community Practices in August.