Hard-working Lake Macquarie volunteers like fire fighters can look forward to better coffee and snags when they are helping fight disasters in our region. 

Local MP Pat Conroy handing over a volunteer grant to RRT.Aussie charity, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), was today presented with a cheque for $4,500 by local Federal MP for Shortland, Pat Conroy, to purchase a new BBQ trailer for Lake Macquarie disaster relief.  

The funding is part of the Federal Government’s Volunteers Grants Program which aims to support volunteers from charities and community groups like RRT, providing much-needed new equipment. 

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) established the RRT in 2013. The charity is run by Church volunteers who provide catering services at a range of charitable events and emergencies. 

The trailer will also be “rolled out” at community events to support volunteers as well as people in need like disadvantaged youth, the homeless, hospitals and their staff, and carer support organisations. 

The Federal Member for Shortland, Pat Conroy said he was pleased to be presenting the RRT with funding under the Federal Government’s Volunteers Grants Program. 

“The Rapid Relief Team provide really important support to those in need in our community, and they are a very deserving recipient of this grant,” Mr Conroy said. 

“This new trailer will only help their volunteers further assist those in the Shortland community.”

RRT Operations Manager Dan Alderton, said this grant will go a long way to ensuring the RRT can continue their work in local communities such as Lake Macquarie and surrounds and provide support. 

“Whether it’s feeding firefighters, providing free hay for our drought affected farmers or delivering a food box to vulnerable families during Covid-19, the RRT is always there to lend a helping hand,” Mr Alderton said. 

“Care and compassion are always at the core of RRT’s outreach programs and our volunteers will continue to step up to the challenge and are committed to supporting our local communities through tough times. 

I want to thank the Federal Member for Shortland, Mr. Pat Conroy, for his assistance and for helping us to provide a bit of quality help to the people of Shortland. 

“These assistance packages allow our volunteers to continue to lend a hand to local communities and people in need when they are going through tough times and we can’t wait to get the new trailer on the road.” 

To find out more about the work of the RRT head to www.rapidreliefteam.org.