Cyclone Seroja: First payments from Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund issued as Prince Charles makes donation

As the first payments to cyclone Seroja victims started to be handed out yesterday, it has emerged a famous face made a donation to the major relief fund on the eve of the appeal’s closure.

Prince Charles made two donations to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund to support people who lost their homes during cyclone Seroja on April 11 and in the Wooroloo and Hills bushfires in February.

The first 34 payments to people whose homes were left uninhabitable or severely damaged by Seroja were issued yesterday.

As of today, the appeal has raised $7.619 million for cyclone victims. The amount donated to the bushfire appeal is almost double that, with $16.435m raised.

The fund’s presiding chair, City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas, said it was a privilege to receive the donations from the Prince of Wales.

“We have already seen the people of Western Australia, businesses across Western Australia and the eastern states respond with warmth, generosity and donations to assist those affected by these twin disasters in WA this year,” he said.

“The Prince of Wales has provided a very generous donation to the LMDRF.

“It is an honour and a privilege to accept this donation and I thank His Royal Highness and the office of The Prince of Wales for working with us to make this happen.

“This is a reminder to everyone that they can still donate today to assist people affected by tropical cyclone Seroja.”

Payments of $25,000 are available for every house classed as totally destroyed by cyclone Seroja and a further $10,000 for every property assessed to have suffered major damage, leaving it uninhabitable. Both affected owner/occupiers and tenants are eligible for the payments.

The fund will be working as quickly as possible to validate and process the remaining applicants and payments.

Residents can still apply for assistance. Check with your local government or download an application form from appealswa.org.au

The Lord Mayor Distress Relief Fund has raised an incredible $7,579,033 for the victims of Tropical Cyclone Seroja.

The appeal ends today and people still can still donate at appealswa.org.au