No one was left unaffected by the devasting Pinery fires. Whether you knew someone who was directly involved or you had just seen the horror unfold in the media, it really was terrible to watch. But as always we South Australians stand together and this case has been no different.
Since Christmas Eve 130 OTR stores across the state have been fundraising for the CFS.
At the recent opening of the OTR Port Wakefield Road super store Michaela Webster, OTR Chief Operating Officer handed over a donation of two defibrillators, equipment that was desperately needed by the CFS and explained OTR’s involvement in the fires:
“In the aftermath of the tragic Pinery fire OTR wanted to help the CFS who is run by volunteers that tirelessly protect and inspire the South Australian Community each and every day.
“The OTR team recently helped the CFS in the Pinery fires, our sites at Kapunda, Tanunda, and Nuriootpa were evacuated, mostly due to loss of power and the closure of these sites impacted the CFS’s ability to refuel during the fires.
“The CFS needed fuel in Nuriootpa and due to the closure of the three OTR sites, they managed to get fuel from Largs to Nuriootpa at midnight and fill direct into the CFS equipment on the Nuriootpa oval. Being able to help like this is what coming to work is all about,” said Ms Webster.
Mr Rob Snowdon, Chair, CFS Foundation said, “the CFS volunteers are on call 24/7, 365 days of the year. 60% of their volunteering is directed to car accidents with 40% towards fire fighting endeavors for the community. Our mission is to support CFS volunteers and their families in their time of need. CFS volunteers fighting the Pinery fire have incurred very significant losses with some suffering severe injuries. We are very grateful for the support of OTR stores and staff.”
This fundraiser follows on from a similar one undertaken earlier in the year in which OTR helped to raise over $10,000 for the CFS after the Sampson Flat fires.
The CFS tins will be on all counters of all 130 OTR stores for the Summer period.
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