Cloncurry-based charity Sisters of the North will begin distributing funds directly into North West Queensland flood affected communities, on behalf of donors using a grassroots approach.
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North West Queensland has experienced a catastrophic flood event with more then 500,000 cattle, sheep and native animals perishing.
Through crowdfunding on a GoFundMe page, Australia has responded overwhelmingly with over $200,000 raised in just eight days.
SOTN founders Jane McMillan and Susan Dowling, said that while the response was overwhelming, the next stage was the most important.
“Sisters of the North’s next hurdle is to get the funds to the people and businesses in the affected communities of Cloncurry, Richmond, Hughenden, Winton, Julia Creek and Normanton, without the bureaucracy or red tape,” they said.
The funds will be distributed through Live Voucher, an SMS service to distribute funds using vouchers, that can be redeemed as goods and services at registered businesses in affected communities.
LiveVoucher starts with a ‘seed voucher’ into which a large sum of money is placed, starting with the first “seed voucher” of $25,000 this Friday (February 22), with more to follow.
Sisters of the North issue Ambassadors, trusted members of the community, with a small quantity of vouchers to distribute. Each voucher is worth a nominal amount decided by the SOTN board.
Ambassadors then distribute vouchers to flood affected people by sending an SMS to LiveVoucher with the recipient’s name, mobile number and quantity of vouchers. LiveVoucher then replies to the recipient with their voucher.
When a recipient walks into a registered business to purchase goods or services, the recipient gives the business their voucher’s unique code.
The business sends an SMS to LiveVoucher with the voucher code. When the voucher is verified, the recipient leaves with their goods and the Sisters of the North reimburses the business the following Monday via direct deposit.”
Clay Cini, managing director of EQ LIVE PTY LTD, developers of Campdraft Central, have built LiveVoucher to address the immediacy of the disaster.
“When Peter Dowling (Dowling Livestock & Property) asked for our help at the Landmark Classic Horse Sale in Tamworth nine days ago, we had to assist in whichever way we could.” Mr Cini said.
“We believe LiveVoucher is a secure, simple and extremely accessible way to disperse the raised funds quickly and directly to those who need it. LiveVoucher works on the most basic flip-phone or the newest iPhone - people don’t need to download an app to get help.”
“In regards to security, we are using SMS verification codes at each step to verify people’s identity. This is the same method banks send secure codes via SMS when doing internet transfer.”
Businesses in the affected communities of Cloncurry, Richmond, Hughenden, Winton, Julia Creek and Normanton, can register securely at https://sotn.livevoucher.com.au starting Wednesday February 20, at 6pm.
Businesses must be GST Registered and be located within the affected areas, which will be verified by LiveVoucher. More information and a business fact sheet will be available.
Briony Comiskey, Partner at HHH Partners Emerald, has kindly donated her time for free to the cause.
“We’re working with SOTN and the EQ LIVE team to ensure businesses are confident in the process”, Briony said.
“Essentially, SOTN are responsible for the vouchers and want to provide reassurance the LiveVoucher program is open, transparent and will help them in a very direct and necessary way.”
Peter Dowling, being a local business owner himself in the disaster area, is only too aware the impact the loss of income means to his, and other businesses.
“Whilst government grants are available for small business, it is simply not enough”, Peter said.
“SOTN initial intention was to help those in need as quickly as possible and LiveVoucher allows us to help both affected people and the businesses that depend on them.”
Disclosure: North West Star journalist Samantha Walton is one of the many committee member's of the Sisters of the North organisation.
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