Penshurst RSL Club has rallied to show support for the efforts of local firefighters who were sent to help battle bushfires across NSW.
Last week, Penshurst RSL Club representatives presented a cheque for $2,000 to the Mortdale Fire Station.
"We wanted to honour all the firies involved in the recent bushfire emergency and thought what better than to reach out to our local fire station at Mortdale," Penshurst RSL Sub-branch president John Hoban said.
"We raised $2,000 during February asking patrons, staff and the board to chip in by donating at a collection point in the club. This was symbolic thank you for their efforts, showing we would like to give them a pat on the back."
Because they cannot accept donations, the funds raised in support of the firefighters was accepted by Vinnies for distribution to bushfire affected families.
The Mortdale firies are all retained, or permanent part-time, firefighters, and during the summer were called out to battle fires in Armidale, Taree, Old Bar, Port Macquarie, Lithgow, Blue Mountains, Bilpin, Picton, Camden, Mittagong, Bowral, Bundanoon, Tahmoor, Ulladulla, Milton and many other locations.
Mortdale Fire Station captain, Wayne Challinor thanked the club for their show of support.
"It's appreciated. We never expect it but we understand that people want to help in some way," he said.
"We help by getting on a fire truck and trying to put out fires. They can't help in that way but people want to help and show their support by donating funds. The funds obviously can't come to fire and rescue but will go to Vinnies to allocate to people in need."
