In our latest article in The District Reporter, read about Celeste Barber’s small campaign to raise funds for NSW RFS which snowballed to millions of dollars raised, and then the difficulty faced with where the funds could be used. A reminder to all that the devil can be in the detail, and how important the right advice first can save problems later.
Many of us will be aware of Celeste Barber from television and her hilarious Instagram page called ‘Challenge Accepted’, she also came to a great deal of international fame earlier this year when she started a small campaign to raise $30,000 for the NSW RFS that snowballed into a gigantic fundraising effort that raised $51 million, donated by people from across the world. When she started the campaign, Celeste nominated the ‘NSW Rural Fire Service and the Brigades Donation Fund’ as the recipient of the money, but it seems that she also wanted to be able to donate funds to other charities like the Red Cross and the animal welfare group, WIRES.
Celeste did not realise that the fund is governed under a deed which provided that any donations received could only be used on training, operational costs and fire equipment. To make sure that everything was done properly, considering the amount of money donated the RFS sought the guidance of the NSW Supreme Court about the matter and recently, Justice Michael Slattery gave his ruling.
The court advised that the trustees cannot make payments to other charities that provide relief to people or animals affected by bushfires, or to RFS Divisions in other states. It did permit other use for the funds such as to set up or contribute to a fund to support firefighters injured while working or the families of firefighters killed in action.
The trustees can also fund the training and resources for trauma, physical and mental health training for firefighters, and can contribute to a fund for volunteer rural firefighters to attend and complete courses.
Celeste Barber did an amazing job in raising this incredible money. Her initial modest goal of raising $30,000 for the RFS was engulfed and surpassed many times over. Although the money will not be spent on much needed resources and support for the RFS, including the purchase of proper masks and respirators for volunteers, this exercise is a reminder that even with the best of intentions situations like this, deed can sometimes be in the detail. It is important that you get good advice before entering into such serious undertakings – no matter how generous your purpose or intention. Once you’ve chosen a certain path is selected, you’ve gone too far down that path to reverse.
This advice is not only for mammoth international bushfire fundraising efforts, but to all aspects of life, including engaging in business ventures, sorting out your estate planning and succession needs and heading down the path of a relationship break up, divorce or new career. Get advice at the start on how to do things the right way so as to minimise future costs, inconvenience and conflict…and to make sure you achieve what you set out to do.
