Statement from the EA Board - Emergency Relief Charitable Trust

In close consultation with the State Branch Chairs, the EA Board has been actively looking at how a fund could be created to assist all equestrians who have been affected by the recent and continuing devastating fires.

The intent was to create an emergency relief charitable trust that would accept tax deductable donations that could be distributed to those in need, particularly to support horse welfare and then move to rebuilding the lives, properties and competition opportunities.

Unfortunately, this is not possible under our Constitution.

An entity called Equestrian Fire Relief Australia (EFRA) has been set up to become a charitable trust, however Deductable Gift Status has not yet been granted.

EFRA has approached the ASF, outlining its intent and is awaiting formal confirmation that donations to EFRA through the ASF can be used for horse welfare and recreational riders as well as EA and Pony Club members.

EA and the State Branches met on January 14 by teleconference and agreed that EFRA was a model to enable people to donate to and to provide assistance to those in need, pending confirmation of governance, charitable institution status and ASF funds distribution requirements.

In the meantime, there are a number of charities people may wish to donate to including:

• CFA Victoria
• NSW Rural Fire Service
• Red Cross
• Salvation Army
• Foodbank
• RSPCA
• Animals Australia
• Wildlife Victoria
• WIRES
• BlazeAid