Bairnsdale Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (BCCI) newly elected committee has raised$93,000 from businesses outside of East Gippsland to support local business members in Bairnsdale with regards to bushfire recovery.

BCCI president, Jaime Savory, said the support had been absolutely amazing for bushfire recovery.

“The $93,000 will be loaded on Bairnsdale Gift Cards and each $500 card will be gifted to those families that have lost their homes in the recent fires that have devasted our region,” Ms Savory said.

“The money is preloaded on these cards and then is to be spent with our local members in Bairnsdale. We have 40 local businesses registered and ready to go with accepting the gift cards.”

However, coronavirus has put a stop to the cards being distributed as a significant amount of the businesses are currently not trading or have significant social distancing measures in place restricting the use of the card.

Jaime said the committee had decided to hold off on distributing the cards due to government guidelines to stay home.

“This isn’t something we were expecting and we want these cards with these families as soon as possible but encouraging people to go shopping is not something we can encourage given the clear guidelines from the federal and state government,” Jaime said.

“We will reassess in May what the recommendations are from the government and decide what to do from there.”

To register your family to receive a card email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name, address of home that was lost and your best contact details.