» V8s: Stars support flood victims

Several members of the V8 Supercars fraternity took time out of their schedules to attend the ‘Mates in Need’ fundraiser event on the Gold Coast to raise funds and support for victims of the horrific Queensland flood disasters.

Much of eastern Australia has been devastated by enormous flooding, which has devastated many areas in the state of Queensland, and significantly inundated the city of Brisbane, which had 26,000 homes flooded).

James Courtney (centre) and Russell Ingall (right) represented the V8SA fraternity as part of the fundraising effort. They are pictured with former rugby and league international Mat Rogers

Surrounding areas, including Ipswich, which plays host to one of the rounds of the championship at the Queensland Raceway circuit, were also severely damaged.

A total of 16 people have been killed and at least a further 50 are still unaccounted for in the floods, which have affected 83 communities. Over 70,000 homes are still without power and over 4,000 people are living in evacuation centre accommodation.

The impact of the floods will be felt for years to come, and has devastated much of the Queensland economy, which is heavily reliant on tourism and agriculture. The clean-up operation will take months, and a total of $64 million has already been raised in corporate and private donations around the country.

On the weekend, it was the turn of the V8 Supercars drivers – and a huge coterie of other sports stars and celebrities from the Gold Coast region – to band together while attending the ‘Mates in Need’ fundraiser street party, which raised over $1 million additional funding.

V8 Supercars were on display at the ‘Mates in Need’ fundraiser party.

Newly-crowned V8 Supercars champion James Courtney donated a signed racing suit for a charity raffle and $25,000 out of his own pocket (a figure matched by his personal sponsor, Jeldwen).

His new employers, Holden Racing Team, donated two ‘hot lap’ experiences to lucky raffle draw winners.

V8 Supercars Australia has also donated $50,000 to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal fund.

To find out how you can to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal, click here.

[Original images via Gold Coast]