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LET THE TAPS RUN (CARLTON) DRY FOR WA BUSH FIRE RELIEF

Western Australians are being urged to raise a glass and help pour thousands of dollars into a fundraising campaign to help those affected by one of the state’s worst-ever bushfire disasters.

Carlton Dry today launched the Let the Taps Run (Carlton) Dry for WA Bushfire Relief campaign to help people affected by the bushfires which destroyed almost 90 homes and 9000 ha of land.

Carlton Dry will donate up to 400 kegs to more than 200 pubs, clubs and hotels throughout Western Australia, to be sold at fundraising events between March 19 and March 21 with venues agreeing to give all proceeds to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund Wooroloo and Hills Bushfire 2021 Appeal.

Kegs will also be donated to all of the home ground games for the first two rounds of the WAFL season so that footy fans can do their bit to help while watching their favourite team play.

Danny Savage from Carlton Dry said the team wanted to tap into the much-loved brew to contribute to the relief effort.

“The first pint of Carlton Dry ever sold in Australia was right here in WA in 2008 and locals have been coming back to pubs and clubs for the brew ever since,” Mr Savage said.

“Carlton Dry hopes by turning on hundreds of taps this weekend we can give back to those Western Australians who have supported the beer for so many years.

“We are aiming for more than 200 pubs, clubs and hotels across the state to take part in the fundraising campaign and we hope to raise $250,000.

“Participating venues will host fundraising events between March 19 and March 21 and are committed to sell the donated kegs and direct the bucks raised to bush fire relief.

“Many have already donated to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund, but more money is needed.  Let the Taps Run Dry is another way to encourage Western Australians to get out, enjoy themselves responsibly and do something worthy at the same time.”

Hotelier Paul Higgins, from the Shoe Bar in Perth’s CBD, was one of the first to sign up to the fundraising campaign.

“When hoteliers were struggling during lockdown many people in our community banded together to help us get through,” Mr Higgins said.

“Now we have the opportunity to pay it forward and help someone else who is struggling in our community.”

For Shoe Bar venue manager Cassie Pilgrim being involved in the Let the Taps Run (Carlton) Dry for WA Bushfire Relief is something very close to her heart.

Ms Pilgrim, a Firefighter with Kwinana Volunteer Fire and Rescue, was one of hundreds of volunteers who answered the call to join the frontline during the blaze.

An experienced firefighter, Ms Pilgrim was shocked at the size and scale of the battle she and her crew faced.

“I’ve never seen anything like it.  The sheer size and force of these most recent fires was phenomenal,” Ms Pilgrim said.

“It was heartbreaking to see so many people lose so much.  Everyone at Fire and Rescue do their best, but when the fire’s out, you always wish you could do more and now I can.  I’ll be selling cold Carlton Dry like you wouldn’t believe this weekend – responsibly of course.

“Not everyone can fight fires, but we can all make a donation and lift our fellow Western Australians up when they’re down.”

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas praised Carlton Dry’s effort to drive more money into the Fund and to help those who lost everything during the bushfires.

“I’ll definitely be getting along to some of the venues participating this weekend, and buying a beer to help those in need,” he said.

“The Lord Mayors Distress Relief Fund, the WA community and our corporate sector have done much to help raise funds for those affected by one of the state’s most terrible disasters.

“More than 80 homes and significant community infrastructure was destroyed by the fires.

“Dozens of residents have already applied for an emergency relief grant of $25,000 which is designed to provide immediate financial support to those who lost their homes.”

For more information on how you can support Let the Taps Run (Carlton) Dry and find your local participating hotel go to www.carltondry.com.au/bushfirerelief

Media contact: Michelle Hele: 0411 112 114, Siobhan Dooley: 0417 500 787