Australians are being encouraged to make donations to a fund established to support the family members of the three men trapped underground in the Beaconsfield mine.
AWU National Vice President Paul Howes said the AWU Beaconsfield Miners’ Family Support Fund had been established after the union and the men’s colleagues had been inundated with offers of support for the families.
“Over the past 40 hours, we’ve had lots of people coming up to us in the streets of Beaconsfield, offering us money to pass on to the men’s families,” Mr Howes said.
“Beaconsfield is a tight-knit town, and its residents want to do whatever they can to support the families of the men, who played an important role in their community.”
AWU Tasmania Branch Secretary Ian Wakefield said messages of support for the families had been pouring in from around Australia.
“The families of the men have been comforted by knowing that Australians everywhere have them in their thoughts and prayers,” Mr Wakefield said.
Donations to the AWU Beaconsfield Miners’ Support Fund can be made at any branch of the Commonwealth Bank (A/C No: 10175554). Cheques made out to the fund can be forwarded to the AWU Tasmania Branch at 6 Lefroy Street, North Hobart 7002, or credit card payments can be made by calling the AWU’s National Office on 1300 362 298.
For more information call AWU National Vice President Paul Howes on 0407 041 933 or National Media Officer Ainslie Gowan 0400 933 700
