Muslims in Sydney were so moved by the devastating bushfires here that they quickly collected money to help firefighters.
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Their community raised an impressive $10,000 and handed over a cheque at the NSW Rural Fire Service headquarters in Wauchope on Wednesday November 20.
RFS Incident Controller Kam Baker told them that a huge number of people and communities had been affected phenomenally by fires in our landscape.
"It is something we never expected. The RFS is made up of volunteers across the Mid North Coast, with 90 brigades and 2,400 volunteers, supported by a small staff," he said.
"The NSW government support is very, very good, but there are so many things that will be examined at the end of this event, which is of unprecedented proportions and has never been seen before. 27 per cent of the district has been taken out by fire.
These fires are of unprecedented proportions and have never been seen before. 27 per cent of the district has been taken out by fire.
- Kam Baker, Rural Fire Service
"The drought is the biggest thing contributing to this. The farmers were doing it tough anyway, without a fire, and things are so much harder now. This money will go directly towards our brigades to buy things like hand-held radios," said Mr Baker.
Omar Chaar from the United Muslims of Australia said they had collected the money from their small community in Sydney after being shocked at the plight of people affected by bushfires on the Mid North Coast.
"We are very humbled and proud to be able to stand here with you. I'm sure it's only a small amount, but we are trying to do our bit as well and show the support to you guys. We are very proud of the work you do," he said.
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