Almost $700K Has Been Raised For Victims Of The Bourke St Rampage

In yet another example of tragedies bringing out the best in people, nearly $700,000 has been raised to support victims of last Friday’s Bourke St rampage. 

On top of the tributes pouring into Melbourne’s CBD over the weekend and the thousands of people that attended last night’s vigil in Federation Square, $686,000 has been raised for victims of the car attack that left five dead and roughly 30 injured.

A heart breaking bunch of flowers left for the victims of #BourkeSt pic.twitter.com/9yqhPzdRGA

— Wolf Cocklin (@wolfcat) January 23, 2017

Melbourne’s beautiful big heart is beating strong in the #bourkest Mall. ??#7newsmelb pic.twitter.com/gRvggX6LDa

— Paul Dowsley (@pauldowsley7) January 22, 2017

Thank you to all who attended the Bourke St Vigil – an incredible show of solidarity with the victims and those affected by the tragedy. pic.twitter.com/YZIq8TiUJa

— Federation Square (@FedSquare) January 23, 2017

The money comes from both the Federal and Victorian governments, which have pledged a total of $200,000, and members of the public, who have donated $486,000 in a little more than two days. 

Money will go directly to families of the deceased, and, while their needs will obviously vary, this will include both immediate and longer term needs and could include mean providing funding funeral costs, psychological support, and related care needs.

Private funerals have since been announced for families and friends of the two youngest victims, 10-year-old Thalia Hakin and three-month-old Zachary Bryant. Zachary’s two-year-old sister Zara was also injured in the rampage, but is reportedly in a stable condition in hospital.

The other three victims were 22-year-old Jess Mudie, 33-year-old Matthew Si, and an as yet unnamed 25-year-old Japanese man.

Anyone wishing to donate can put money directly into the Bourke St Fund, an account set up by the Victorian government. Premier Daniel Andrews has stressed that all of the money will go directly towards helping victims:

If you have any questions or hesitations about online banking, you can check out the website here or phone 1800 226 226 for advice.