The Eastern Bay Community Foundation is accepting donations for the NZ-based victims of the Whakaari/White Island tragedy.

"The events on Whakaari (White Island) on Monday 9 December horrified and saddened us all. The Eastern Bay Community Foundation is seeking funds to provide for the long term rehabilitation and trauma counselling of the victims and of those who responded so magnificently to the tragedy.
As the Chair of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board I have seen how much some of the latter were affected by what they saw and did.  Much support has already gone in but more will be needed. If you can help please do." - Michael Cullen, KNZM

Foundation Chair, Doug Bull, says that it’s important to provide a mechanism for people to show their longer-term support for victims.

“We know that there will be long-term needs, including rehabilitation and trauma-counselling of NZ- based victims and support workers, and we will safeguard these funds for where the greatest needs are in the future. In the meantime, other agencies, such as Victim Support and the Red Cross, are undertaking their essential work on the ground, and we urge people to continue to also donate for immediate needs,” Mr Bull said.

Decisions on how donations to the Eastern Bay Community Foundation Whakaari Fund will be used will be made in collaboration with affected groups and victims and will be focused on medium to long-term support, along with support to organisations locally who were first responders involved in the tragedy for training purposes, enabling these volunteer led organisations to always 'be prepared' and be professional in times of need. 

Donations to the Whakaari Fund can be made in three ways:

• By visiting any Kiwibank branch and making a deposit to Eastern Bay Community Foundation – Whakaari / White Island Fund
• Making a payment via internet banking by searching EBC Foundation - White Island Whakaari Fund
• By emailing Eastern Bay Community Foundation directly - admin@easternbaycommunityfoundation.nz

Receipts:
If donors would like a tax-deductible receipt for tax purposes they can email or post their bank receipt with their name, address, postal code and phone number to:

Email: admin@easternbaycommunityfoundation.nz, subject ‘Whakaari Fund’
By post to: Whakaari Fund, Eastern Bay Community Foundation, PO Box 435, Whakatane 3159