Motorcycle manufacturers dig deep for bushfire victims

High profile motorcycle companies are contributing in various ways to getting those affected by Victoria's deadly bushfires back on their feet.

Harley-Davidson Australia has pledged $80,000 to the Victorian Bushfire Fund, with $40,000 raised by its dealerships around the country and in New Zealand, with head office matching that figure to the dollar. The donation was announced on Channel Nine's Victorian Bush Fire Appeal telethon on February 12.

"Our dealerships, many of which are owner/operated businesses, wanted to share in the spirit of generosity shown by corporate Australia and support the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal," says Peter Nochar, CEO Harley-Davidson Australia. "All of us in the Australian and New Zealand Harley-Davidson family were so moved by the loss of life, injuries and the devastation of homes that collectively as group we had to act. The thoughts of our staff are with those families affected."

The participating H-D dealerships are:

Auckland M/cycles & Power Sports
Mackay Motorcycles
Bikes & Bits
McIver & Veitch
Boyd Yung Motorcycles
Morgan & Wacker
Bundaberg Motorcycles
North Coast V-Twins
Capital Harley-Davidson
Orm Snell & Co
Cowley's Motorcycles
Phil's Garage
Fraser Motorcycles - Newcastle
Quick Fix Harley-Davidson
Fraser Motorcycles - Perth
Richardson's Harley-Davidson
Fraser Motorcycles - Sydney
Road & Sport Motorcycles
Fraser Motorcycles - Wollongong
Robbo's Harley-Davidson
Geelong Harley-Davidson
Rocky Harley-Davidson
Great Southern Motorcycles
Rolling Thunder Motor Company
Griffith Motorcycle Centre
Seaside Moto Cycles
Harbour City Motorcycles
Shepparton Harley-Davidson
Harley Heaven - Adelaide
Southwest Harley-Davidson
Harley Heaven - Dandenong
Sunshine Coast Harley-Davidson
Harley Heaven - Melbourne
Sy's Harley-Davidson
Harley Heaven - Ringwood
Thomas Lee Motorcycles
Harley Magic
Trivett Harley-Davidson Sydney
Horsham Harley-Davidson
Wellington Motorcycles
Kingaroy Motorcycles 

BMW Group Australia, which incorporates BMW Motorrad, has donated an initial sum of $100,000 to the Victorian Bushfire Fund.

The company will also match donations collected from BMW Group Australia employees, one for one, in order to further assist relief efforts.

In addition, BMW Group Australia will provide support to members of staff who have been directly affected by the fires in Victoria.

"We're moved by the severity of the disaster and the extent of the tragic human suffering," said Guenther Seemann, Managing Director of BMW Group Australia. "On behalf of our employees and customers, we hope this donation will assist those affected by the Victorian bushfires."

Honda Australia has made a $200,000 donation through the Honda Foundation.

John Sample Automotive (JSA), the importer of Aprilia and Moto Guzzi, is supporting a rally by one of its Sydney dealers, Bikebiz, which will be held on March 8.

JSA will be riding and displaying bikes and raffling merchandise at the rally, with money raised to be forwarded onto the bushfire appeal.

Appearing on Channel Nine on February 12, CEO Greg Roebuck donated $25,000 on behalf of the Carsales Network - the parent company of BikePoint.

The Carsales Network is also pledging a portion of the revenue received via private advertising. Roebuck says he expects the contribution will grow to $50,000.

Donations for the Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund can be made via the website here, by phone (03 9633 0000) or in person at the Melbourne Town Hall.

Donations to the Red Cross can be left at the website here, and the Salvation Army's web page for donations can be found here.