National garage sale launched to save wildlife

CAIRNS massage therapist Mechel Pearson is calling on Australians to open their garage doors next weekend for the wildlife victims of the bushfires.

So moved by the countless losses of wildlife and feeling useless about it, Ms Pearson, who operates Re-joovn'8 Massage at Edge Hill, jumped into action.

Pictured at the home of WIRES volunteer Noeline Bondfield in Picton is April the joey who was rescued from its mother who was hit by a car. WIRES is encouraging the public to be extra vigilant in watching for wildlife during the bushfire season. Picture: Richard Dobson

She kicked off a national campaign on social media, calling on people to host a garage sale the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, January 18-19, while also planning her own mega garage sale.

Two Cairns women have decided to hold a large garage sale this Saturday to raise money to help treat animals caught in the bushfires in New South Wales and Victoria. Garage sale co ordinators Michelle Loeser and Mechel Pearson and warehouse owners Maria Messmer and Erich Messmer with some of the retro items that will be available for sale. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

The Cairns community has been swept up with the cause, with DJ Sonya donating her time to perform at the event, offers of donations pouring in already, and even a warehouse sale being shifted forward in time to host the mega garage sale.

A koala named Sharni from Crowdy Bay National Park is treated for burns at The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital on November 29, 2019. Photo by Nathan Edwards/Getty Images

"The mega sale is on Saturday, January 18, and settlement for the warehouse was supposed to be the 20th," Ms Pearson said.

"The owners organised to have it brought forward to January 15 so they could loan it for the appeal."

Ms Pearson said garage sale hosts could decide which fund to donate to, with the aim for "100 per cent of the profits to go to the wildlife".

A koala named Lisa from Pappinbarra recovers from burns at The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital on November 29, 2019 in Port Macquarie, Australia. Photo by Nathan Edwards/Getty Images

"They are up to $45 million for people and infrastructure and firies (thanks to Australian comedian Celeste Barber's fundraising efforts)," Ms Pearson said.

"These garage sales can be funds that can go directly for bandages, cages, food for the animals ... It's going to be the end of a lot of our creatures.

"We can build ourselves up again, they can't and they need to our help."

Facebook posts by Andrew Gee MP, the Federal Member for Calare. Blossom the baby wombat was orphaned and injured by the bushfires and is being cared for at Ilford, near Lithgow. Source: Facebook - Andrew Gee MP https://www.facebook.com/andrewgeecalare/

Ms Pearson said donations could be dropped off for the Cairns mega garage sale on Friday, January 17, from 3pm-6pm and Saturday, January 18, from 10am-1pm at the warehouse, with those wanting to set up and sell at the event welcome to bring tables and items for sale.

The Cairns Australia Wide Garage Sales for Wildlife is on Saturday, January 18, from 2pm-6.30pm at 179 Bunda St. For more information, text Mechel on 0402 089 493 or search for Australia Wide Garage Sales for Wildlife on Facebook.