‘Great concern’: King to donate funds to Victorian flood victims

The King says he and his wife, Queen-consort Camilla, have been following the “terrible” floods in Victoria and that Buckingham Palace will be donating to Victorian flood victims.

Writing to Victorian Governor Linda Dessau, King Charles III offered words of support to affected Victorians and praised the efforts of emergency services personnel.

A resident flees the rising floodwaters in Echuca, Victoria, last month. Floods have proved costly for insurers this year.Credit:Jason South

“It is with great concern that my wife and I have followed the news of the terrible floods in recent weeks in Victoria,” reads the letter.

“Our heartfelt thoughts are with all those affected and for the losses that have been suffered.”

Flooding in the state began in early October, with northern Victoria the hardest hit.

The new King also thanked emergency services, including the Australian Defence Force and community volunteers who were involved in rescue and recovery efforts.

“It has been particularly inspiring to see how communities have pulled together to protect homes and livestock and to support each other during this appallingly difficult time.”

Two men were found dead in floodwater in northeast Victoria in separate incidents in mid-October, while hundreds of homes across the state were inundated with water and towns such as Echuca and Kerang advised to evacuate. Debris is still being cleared in many areas and the wettest October on record inflicted extensive damage on the state’s roads.

While the palace has not disclosed the amount being donated to flood victims, Givit, a charity partnering with the Victorian government, said all of it would go to victims.

Givit chief executive Sarah Tennant said, “100 per cent of that money will be going to those affected by the floods for goods and services”.

The organisation received an undisclosed donation from the Duchess of Cornwall after the 2020 bushfires.

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