Rebuilding Ukraine fundraiser in Bunbury aiming to make impact overseas

A fundraiser in Bunbury will be hosted to help a WA-based not-for-profit rebuild the war-torn capital of Ukraine with technology which aims to make buildings faster and more sustainably.

Mobile Crisis Construction and Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre will partner for the Rebuilding Ukraine fundraiser which will see community members able to mingle, donate and enjoy live entertainment.

The fundraiser will be hosted on August 3 from 5.30pm.

Mobile Crisis Construction managing director Blake Stacey said the not-for-profit group was the result of many years of work, with their technology able to make interlocking building blocks out of recycled materials.

Those bricks are used to rebuild areas after natural or man-made disasters, such as the impact of the war in Ukraine.

“Each machine is worth about $120,000 to buy, but actually operating it is quite a lot of money as well so we’ve got to work with all the local authorities, like governments or other charities,” he said.

“We’ve seen more crises happen, like an earthquake or a cyclone. We could easily have a machine sitting in Bunbury or Albany knocking out bricks. It makes 40 tons of bricks a day, essentially.”

Mr Stacey said the innovation started with a machine and a mill to break down recyclable materials in Malaga, Perth, and is now set to make a mark overseas.

“So the particular project in Ukraine is an interesting one because it’s sadly such a long and drawn out thing that we’re able to make a raising of funds possible,” he said.

“So when the Turkish earthquake went past, it was sort of over quickly, and it was hard to raise funds to get a machine over there.

“We feel at least we can do something about this.”

Mr Stacey said the group had privately funded the building of a machine which is being sent to Ukraine to start rebuilding residences in Kyiv, set to arrive in six weeks.

“Ukraine has entered a new phase during the war — that of rebuilding the public infrastructure such as hospitals, medical centres, schools, homes etcetera,” he said.

“The fundraiser will enable stories and descriptions from a witness who has recently returned from Ukraine, to update those attending.”

It is understood a small school, or about three homes, could be built in one week.

Community members can donate to the Rebuilding Ukraine fundraiser through the event page on the BREC website.