Australia Day, which was once synonymous with Galway and in turn The Skeff, takes great significance again this year in light of the recent tragedies and devastation caused by the rampant spread of bushfires in Australia.
This year The Skeff will run a fundraising initiative on Australia’s National Day, Sunday 26th of January, to raise vital funds for the Australian Red Cross. They will raise money through donating all proceeds of sales generated on the day from Bundaberg Rum and Aussie Beer to the organisation.
Elise Santalla, an Australian citizen studying in Galway city for the past year, contacted The Skeff about holding a fundraising event or campaign to raise vital funds.
“Galway feels like a second home to me. I think the Irish are so generous and welcoming. The bushfires back home in Australia are a terrible tragedy but it is really heart-warming to see people from the other side of the world come together and give a helping hand. I’ve always felt the Irish and Australians connect so well.”
The Skeff, known as Galway’s meeting place, and other companies in Eyre Square Business Association will hold individual fundraising initiatives in their establishments this Sunday for Aussie Day that will be pooled together for one final sum that will be donated to the Australian Red Cross, who have been providing ongoing relief efforts to help those who have lost their homes and families who have lost loved ones by providing psychological first aid, food, water, relief supplies and organising cash grants and bereavement payments.
