A year after the Fire Fight Australia bushfire relief concert, young people from towns ravaged by the disaster will benefit from about $800,000 in donations.
One year since the Fire Fight Australia bushfire relief concert, young people from towns ravaged by the disaster will share in close to $800,000 raised through donations.
Last year’s concert at ANZ Stadium headlined by artists such as Darly Braithwaite, Delta Goodrem, Amy Shark, Pete Murray and Guy Sebastian, as well as subsequent sales of the Artists Unite For Fire Fight CD, have so far raised $770,000.
“One year ago we came together at the Fire Fight concert to use music as a way to heal,” Guy Sebastian said. “After the TV crews left we wanted to make sure we were still supporting young people affected by the bushfires.
“To everyone that donated, thank you.”
Research suggests one in four young people will suffer from post traumatic stress disorder in the wake of a crisis such as the Black Summer bushfires.
The Sony Foundation will direct a portion of the proceeds to build “youth sanctuaries” in Macksville, Tenterfield, Eden, Ulladulla and Mallacoota.
The Sony Foundation will use its connections to the music and gaming industries to deck out the renovated shipping containers, which will be available for young people to catch up and hang out.
The lion’s share of the money will breathe new life into rural and regional youth charities such as BackTrack, PCYC South Coast and Musicians Making A Difference, which are brightening young people’s lives in the wake of the fires.
BackTrack helps youth at risk by teaching them practical life skills, finding them work and helping them navigate run-ins with the law.
Young people involved with BackTrack have already strained up 150km of destroyed farm fences, while learning agricultural skills along the way.
A $450,000 injection from the Sony Foundation will allow BackTrack to branch out to more bushfire affected communities.
“People like to see young fellas getting up and having a go,” BackTrackfounder and CEO Bernie Shakeshaft said.
“We work with some of the most disadvantaged kids in the communities.
“While they’re fencing, they’re getting a job and accredited training, and the farmers are getting a much-needed hand.
“At BackTrack our philosophy is to keep kids alive, out of jail and chasing their hopes and dreams.”
The Artists Unite For Fire Fight CD is still on sale and the highlights of the Fire Fight concert will screen on Foxtel Arts Sunday, February 14 at 6.30pm.
