After two major fires this summer, Kurri Kurri and its surrounding towns were fortunate enough to get through last weekend’s catastrophic fire conditions unscathed.
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But towns in other parts of New South Wales were not so lucky, with at least 32 homes destroyed in blazes in the state’s central west and mid-north coast.
Heddon Greta Hotel licensee Nina Flanagan was compelled to help after hearing the news that so many homes had been lost, particularly in farming communities where people are already doing it tough.
“It hit me pretty hard, with what we’ve been through lately,” she said.
“We were so lucky that we didn’t lose any homes.
“Some of them out west have lost absolutely everything.”
The hotel has kicked off a four-week fundraising campaign for people affected by the Leadville fire (near Dunedoo).
It will donate $1 from every meal bought in the restaurant and 20 cents from every drink sold at the bar until March 13, and also has a donation tin on the counter.
The campaign started on Tuesday, and more than $220 was raised by the end of the night.
“Every cent helps, and over four weeks it will all add up,” Ms Flanagan said.
Ms Flanagan will drive out west to personally deliver the donations once the fundraising is complete.