Tonight in Saigon, the community managed to raise a whopping USD33,000. USD9,000 was raised in cash and $24,000 was pledged.
It was an absolutely extraordinary response to an extraordinary tragedy in Queensland.
Amazing sponsors were led by Meinhardt Engineering ($5,000) and Indochina Capital (Nam Hai Resort, Hoi An; Six Senses, Con Dao Island and Novotel, Phan Thiet). Jessica, Natasha & Louis Young (both girls did their schooling in Toowoomba) chipped in $3,300. So many sponsors. So many people giving generously.
Meanwhile, the Vietnam Swans in Hanoi will jointly host a fundraiser with JASPAS and Auscham at Hanoi Towers on Friday 21 January. Fund raisers will also be held in Hoi An and Vung Tau this week.
All money raised will be transferred to Australia next week via the Commonwealth Bank free of bank charges and at zero margin on the forex rate. Details will be published by the Vietnam Swans and Auscham.
Thank you to all for your super generous contributions. High quality photos will follow.
Against the inland sea of devastation, it is still just a drop. But the ripples of goodwill from Vietnam will be well received by those who need it most back in Australia.