Volunteers helping out
VOLUNTEERS going doorto-door helping residents clean up their homes say there’s plenty more work to be done for those able to assist.
Travis Johnston has helped co-ordinate the efforts of NQ Community Support, a Facebook group that organises small teams to carry out basic clean-ups for devastated residents struggling on their own.
“We were based in the Bluewater area – that’s where I live – but we’ve branched out with the Northreach Baptist disaster relief group to find more people who need a hand,” he said. “At the moment we’re going in and doing the basics like ripping carpet up and mopping.”
Mr Johnston said on Thursday the group had about three teams of five or six people, and encouraged anyone who want- ed to lend a hand to get in contact on Facebook.
“There are people out of work at the moment because of the weather who have been helping the clean-up,” Mr Johnston said. “We’ve got teachers, tradies, basically anyone that want to join in.”
He said volunteers brought their own protective gear and then responded to call-outs.
“We’ve only got a small crew and it depends on who is available, but so long as we have requests we will keep going,” he said.
Mr Johnston said many of the volunteers had also lost their homes.
“The community is really coming together at this time,” he said. “There is a gentleman helping us at the moment and is going to call us in a few days to help clean up his father’s place because it’s still cut off by the floods.”
Mr Johnston said he was shocked by how severe some of the damage to people’s houses had been.
“Some people I don’t think realise how much damage others have copped. You really have to be there to witness it,” he said.
“The hardest thing is people don’t know we’re here and able to come help you clean up. We’re trying to get to people but we need them to know we are here.”
You can sign up to volunteer at the NQ Community Support Facebook page.
AT THE MOMENT WE’RE GOING IN AND DOING THE BASICS LIKE RIPPING CARPET UP AND MOPPING. TRAVIS JOHNSTON