Coles has raised more than $1.8 million for the Australian Red Cross Queensland and NSW Flood Appeal. This, says the retailer, will provide immediate and long-term support to communities affected by severe flooding.
In just two weeks, Coles customers donated $560,257, which was matched dollar for dollar by the retailer.
Coles then increased its support last weekend by announcing an additional donation of $700,000 at the ‘Australia Unites: Red Cross Flood Appeal’ on Channel Nine, Seven Network and Network 10.
This week, Coles has also donated and delivered a truckload of cleaning and cooking equipment to the Lismore community.
In total, the retailer says it has now donated and delivered well over 100 pallets of food and essentials to Lismore, North Richmond and the Northern Rivers region in the past 10 days.
Australian Red Cross CEO Kym Pfitzner thanks Coles, its team members and customers for their support.
“The way Coles, its team and customers pulled together to help support people impacted by the devastating floods is an amazing example of what can be achieved in times of crisis,” he says.
“Coles has made an incredible contribution and their support will help Red Cross to provide assistance to the people and communities that are struggling, through our immediate response in relief centres and recovery hubs, through cash assistance and helping us be there for the long term while people recover.”
Coles NSW State General Manager Ivan Slunjski says customers and team members have shown extraordinary generosity in their support for flood-affected communities through the appeal and donations of essentials.
“The damage caused as a result of the floods has been devastating and we’re doing everything we can to ensure that deliveries to stores continue and donations of supplies are distributed to those who need it most,” he says.
“We are blown away by the generosity of our customers in helping to raise over $1.8 million for the Red Cross Flood Appeal, and we couldn’t be prouder of our store team members who have been involved in on-the-ground efforts to urgently get supplies into local communities.”