Bushfire victims in Gippsland are one step closer to rebuilding their homes thanks to a Victorian hardware store in Traralgon. The outlet, a member of the Danks Group under the Home Timber and Hardware banner, has rallied the local community and its suppliers to provide the tools to help the rebuild.

Home Hardware TraralgonÕs store manager, Andrew Graham, said “The store is very close to the area affected by the Gippsland bushfires and local communities are now faced with the daunting task of rebuilding their homes and their lives. As the store is an active member of the community, we looked at ways to contribute meaningfully to the local relief effort.”

Eastern Region MP Peter Hall, approached the store for support of an initiative to help people rebuild their homes. The idea was to provide a tool kit for the people whose homes were affected by the bushfires. Graham explained “Once we had decided what the store could provide and where we would need extra support, we got on the phone to all of our suppliers. Our first point of call was Danks Group. As a Home Timber and Hardware store, we have the support of the larger Danks Group and, when they heard what we were doing, they were eager to support us with products for the kit.”

In total, Home Hardware Traralgon sourced products for more than 130 tool kits, with each kit comprising home hardware necessities such as a hammer, saw, spade, safety glasses, cordless drill, pliers, wire cutters, screw driver sets, and more.

MP Peter Hall is working with the Red Cross Emergency Relief Effort to provide the kits to fire victims at no charge. They are also available for purchase by those wanting to assist for $250, just half the normal retail price, with the kits donated to the victims. More than 130 tool kits were sold in the first five days, raising an equivalent donation amount of $34,000. “The extent of the support for this initiative has been overwhelming, and has extended beyond Victoria into other states,” he added.

The store and Peter HallÕs office provides stickers for customers to personalise when they donate money or purchase a tool kit for bushfire victims.

Contact Andrew Graham at Home Hardware Traralgon on 03 5174 3145 or Peter HallÕs office on 03 5174 7066.