ACON has launched a fundraising appeal to help provide crisis support to LGBTQ+ communities in the Northern Rivers impacted by the floods.

“Unrelenting rainfall and intense storms have caused significant flooding and damage in the Northern Rivers region and affected ACON services,” said ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill.

“Many LGBTQ+ community members, including ACON clients and staff, have been severely impacted. Like many dwellings and workplaces, ACON’s Lismore office was flooded.

“Like others, we want to pitch in and help our communities in this time of devastation and need. In response, ACON has been working to support our clients in the Northern Rivers, many of whom are highly vulnerable.

“This week, we launched a new Crisis Support Service to provide immediate mental health and counselling support, and to help people navigate other support that might be out there. At the moment, this service is being run by re-deploying staff in our Hunter and Sydney offices. Services include providing counselling at evacuation centres and other places of refuge to LGBTQ+ people in crisis, offering psychological support through telehealth and facilitating care coordination to link our communities to local resources and information, including financial assistance and accommodation.

“But we’d like to do more, for more people. This is why we need your help. We are now calling on our communities outside of the Northern Rivers area to help fund our crisis support efforts by making a contribution to the ACON NSW Flood Appeal,” Parkhill said.

Donations to ACON Northern Rivers Flood Appeal will help ACON directly assist LGBTQ+ people in Lismore and surrounding areas to get back on their feet and to rebuild. Funds raised in this appeal will help us to expand our Crisis Support Service. This service provides free counselling, mental health support and help to link our communities into other services. We will also be looking to provide direct financial support for LGBTQ+ people to help them recover.

“We know community members from around NSW and Australia have already been reaching out to their friends and family in the Northern Rivers through their own networks or other fundraisers,” Parkhill said. “This appeal provides another opportunity for people to make a direct difference in this incredibly difficult time.

“We urge those who are in the position to donate to make a contribution to assist LGBTQ+ communities in the Northern Rivers get back on their feet. Thank you for your support,” Parkhill said.

Donate to the ACON NSW Flood Appeal at acon.org.au/floodappeal.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

There are also other fundraisers community members can support to provide assistance and relief to LGBTQ+ communities in the Northern Rivers impacted by the floods, including:

• TROPICAL FRUITS COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER: To provide support to people in the Tropical Fruits community impacted by the floods. Visit the appeal here
• QUEERS OF LISMORE FUNDRAISER: To provide support to queer communities who have been impact by the floods in the Lismore and Northern Rivers area. Visit the appeal here

ENDS

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications

E: [email protected] T: (02) 9206 2044  M: 0428 477 042