Radical Cross Stitch's Bush Fire Appeal

Here's an email from ex-pat Kiwi cross-stitcher and feminist extraordinaire, Kakariki:

I normally wouldn't send you messages asking you to buy stuff but I hope you can forgive me this time.

I dare say you'll all be aware of the tragic bushfires that have swept through Victoria, Australia over this last couple of weeks. The fires are to this day continuing to burn with new fires starting only yesterday, although thankfully brought quickly under control.

The figures are heartbreaking, over 180 lives lost and that figure is predicted to rise considerably. Over 1000 homes lost, thousands left homeless and their businesses destroyed. The impact on the beautiful wildlife is unquantifiable.

What has been inspiring is the response from the community to support the survivors. People in Australia have opened their wallets, their doors and their arms to the survivors. In particular I have been so stirred by the response from the craft community. People across the world have been making goods to donate directly to survivors or to donate to sell to raise much needed funds.

So I'm writing to you all today to ask you to purchase a handmade good to help the appeal. I have joined many people on Etsy to donate profits to the appeal. I'm hoping that some of you might consider buying one of my cross stitch patterns. 100% of profits go towards the appeal. If you don't see anything there you like, please visit this page to see all the other beautiful items that have been donated to the appeal. Also if you are an etsy seller, please consider donating profits from some or all of your items to this urgent cause.

If you don't want to purchase something, please visit the Australian Red Cross and make a direct donation.

Thank you taking the time to read this.

With much love

(I've edited it a little to add in hyperlinks.) The sheer scale of the horror in Australia is daunting. It's nice to have little things we can do to help, even if it's just passing these messages on in the hope someone else can chip in too.