Australian team raises funds for bushfire victims

Ten specially autographed cricket bats donated to the Salvation Army by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) have raised more than $35,000 for victims of last December's bushfires in New South Wales.

The bats, signed by the 12 players on duty in the Second Orange Test match against South Africa in Melbourne during December 2001, were auctioned online at eBay.com.au.

At the close of bidding, the bats fetched a total of $35,441.78, which will be donated to the Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund to assist the communities affected by the bushfire disaster.

The funds raised from the sale of the bats add to the $102,000 Australian cricket has already donated to the bushfire cause.

The Australian team donated $51,000 of its prizemoney from the Orange Test Series against South Africa in January 2002, while the ACB matched the gesture with a further $51,000 donation.

Speaking from South Africa, ACB Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said that cricket wanted to play its part in supporting the cause.

"Both the ACB and the Australian players hope that this donation can provide some relief to the scores of people devastated by the Christmas bushfires," Mr Sutherland said.

"Many people involved in Australian cricket were personally affected by the fires, so our response to help was immediate," he said.

Salvation Army spokesman Major Colin Lingard said that while the funds will go a long way to supporting the stricken areas of New South Wales, there was still a need for on-going assistance through this year's Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal.

"The Salvation Army is grateful for the ACB's contribution," Major Lingard said.

"A great need still exists here in Sydney however, to help those people who have lost their homes, their possessions and their livelihoods," he said.