by Alessandra Izzo aka Ally Cat
Australia is burning. We are in the middle of a national bushfire crisis, with 117 fires currently active across New South Wales alone and 50 of these still out of control.
We have heard reports that around half a billion animals have been killed. At the time of writing, 27 people have lost their lives, many thousands of others have been displaced, and around 84 hectares of land has burned. The situation is nothing short of catastrophic.
This morning, the NSW RFS released the latest impact figures on houses in New South Wales from this bushfire season:
- 1,687 homes destroyed (771 of these in the past week since Jan 1)
- 692 homes damaged
- More than 4,000 outbuildings or facilities damaged or destroyed
It is a national emergency, and the pole community has risen up en masse to help those in need. Both nationally and internationally, polers everywhere have banded together to raise funds for firefighters, animal welfare groups and other organisations who are under enormous amounts of pressure to save lives (human and animal) and care for those affected by the fires.
The purpose of this article is to document the current fundraising activities and efforts in the pole community, so that anyone who wishes to get involved and contribute in some way can see at a glance what they can do to join in.
There have already been other fundraising activities that are not included here because they have ended. There are also a plethora of individuals and businesses who have contributed to fundraising efforts via donating to the raffles and fundraisers going on – there are just too many to list here, but the generosity of our community is genuinely overwhelming.
Please contact Australian Pole Dancers Magazine directly if you have an event, raffle, or other activity that is not listed here and currently running or coming up.
Following all of these activities, the goal is also to document the total funds raised for bushfire relief from the pole community – so if you make/have made any kind of donation to the cause on behalf of the pole community, please get in touch with the fundraiser name, amount donated and the charity/recipient name for the overall tally.
International
Polers Unite Raffle – This prize pack is giant. Tickets to enter are priced at £5 each or £10 for 3 via PayPal to kpoleforaustralia@gmail.com, all proceeds go to WIRES, drawn on January 12th
National
Dance for Australia Raffle – donate $10 or more to a nominated charity and receive an entry into the raffle, drawn on January 17th. There are quite a number of prize packs, so make sure you check the page for more details.
Fly and Flow for Fire Relief – studios across Australia band together under one cause, check here for more info on things happening at a studio near you!
Step Up Raffle – buy tickets for $10, drawn on January 11th
Pole Dance Addiction Raffle – buy tickets for $10, drawn on January 12th
Storm Studios Go Fund Me Fundraiser for East Gippsland Local CFA – donate to support local CFA brigades at Mount Taylor, Sarsfield and Bruthen
Australian Pole Expo – $300 from any Platinum Package sold over the next week will be donated to the NSW RFS
Creatures of XIX and Hella Heels – 100% of profits from all orders until January 10 donated to the Bushfire Appeal
Luna Polewear have donated $5000 towards the Bushfire Relief and are giving away $1000 worth of stock, enter by making your own donation to a listed charity. Click here for more info!
Playful Cat Polewear – donating 100% of profits from online sales for the next two weeks to NSW RFS
Rarr Designs – 30% of all order totals until January 10 donated to the Bushfire Appeal
The Black Light – minimum $20 donation to any charity (email donation receipt to info@theblacklight.com.au) goes in draw to win a $200 shoot
New South Wales
Bobbi’s Pole Studios – Fly and Flow Workshops, check their Facebook for more info as it gets released
Sky Sirens – Heartstoppers Showcase on February 2nd, 100% of funds received will go to Bushfire Relief, split between wildlife care and First Nations communities.
Wagga Pole Studio – donating 10% from new enrolments for Term 1 and $5 per student goal achieved at the end of each term for the whole year! Contact studio for more information
Victoria
Kylie J Pole Studio – hosting Rise Up – a fundraiser performance night on March 7th for Bushfire Relief
Levitate Fitness – Fundraising day on January 11th, contact studio for more information
Pole Dance Addiction – Fundraiser day on January 11th, all proceeds go to ARC
Pole Divas – Profits from their Summer Sessions (selected nights per studio) will go to Bushfire Relief, contact studios for more info
Miss Filly/Pole Divas – all profits from privates with Miss Filly this week go to Bushfire Relief
Symmetry Dance & Fitness Studio – 100% of purchases from new client sign-ups in January donated to Bushfire Relief, fundraiser workshops January 12th – February 2nd
Mel C/Symmetry – $5 from every pole goal kicked by her students & $20 from every personal goal kicked by Mel, matched dollar for dollar with Symmetry
The Pole Room – Trivia night on January 18th with silent auction and raffle – all proceeds going to The Red Cross and Wildlife Victoria
TrainStation Dance & Fitness Studio – trial week workshops, all profits going to WIRES, CFA and Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. Contact studio for more information
South Australia
Adelaide Dance Parlour – 10 year birthday celebration fundraiser on January 11th with proceeds going to SA CFS and local wildlife rescue
PhysiPole Somerton Park – donating all proceeds from practice sessions and specific casual classes for January and February, performance night fundraiser on January 25th. Contact studio for more information
The Pole Boutique – Fly and Flow Workshops, check their Facebook for more info as it gets released
Queensland
Addictive Pole Fitness Underwood – raffling 3 x privates with an APFU instructor of the winners choice. Contact studio for more information
Elements Pole & Aerial – Fundraising Event on February 2nd – contact studio for more information
Full Metal – donations and raffle to win a free private and free practice sessions, contact studio for more information
Hanger 66 – Open Day on January 11th, all funds raised go to ARCCG
Western Australia
Bobbi’s Pole Studio Perth – $35 Pole Jam on January 11th, all funds raised go to Bushfire Relief
Core Fusion – $25 Pole Jam on January 12th, all funds raised go to Bushfire Relief
Northern Territory
Polart Fitness – Workshops for Wildlife, a series of workshops in February to raise money for the NSW Wildlife Council, contact the studio for more information
Thank you to everyone involved in this incredible effort, particularly to those who have generously donated their own time and money in this fundraising drive. Stay tuned for a report on how much our collective activities raise. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy.
