We’ve been overwhelmed with the recent response from van owners, both existing and new, who have gotten involved with our Flood Relief Program to help provide emergency accommodation to those affected by the recent floods in QLD and Northern NSW. We’d like to take a moment to highlight the heart warming efforts of the van-sharing community, and decided to speak to a few of our incredible van owners, such as Brendon and Kate McKenzie from Three Burrows Adventure Hire, who are rallying together to help those in need.
The Flood Relief Program is a good initiative to help those who are suffering and at the same time lets families stay within their community. We have already hired out 5 vans and are due to deliver more.”
What type of vans have you hired out?
“We have hired out 5 vans through the flood relief initiative. The standard family size 18-22ft are suitable for long-term temporary accommodation.”
Why did you decide to offer up your van to flood victims?
“The Flood Relief Program is a good initiative to help those who are suffering and at the same time lets families stay within their community. We have already hired out 5 vans and are due to deliver more. We hope that this will help maintain a sense of normality, as kids are still going to school (plus after-school recreational activities), everyone still goes to work & has a daily commute, etc. Plus, you don’t know what kind of things people are dealing with (medical conditions, for example). If we had been flooded (luckily we weren’t, but quite a lot of families around us were) we definitely wouldn’t want to up and move to a hotel.”
Why do you think others should do the same?
“The demand is unfortunately very high, and 9 times out of 10 people’s vans are just sitting there. Some people only use their vans at Easter. Plus, with everything going on lately, so many people’s work and income has been affected and they’re cancelling their Easter plans. So van-sharing during this flood crisis is a great opportunity to help someone else in the community, plus help yourself financially through people’s insurance cover.”
Where are you based?
“We’re based on the north side of Brisbane, at Caboolture.”
Where did your vans go and where will your other vans be going?
“For flood relief accommodation, we have hired out vans in Maryborough, Deagon, Burpengary, Mullumbimby and Murrumba Downs. The last delivery we did was at the Lockyer Valley, which was one of the hardest affected areas, and still has some areas still flooded as we speak, with roads closed as they’re way too unsafe to drive on.”
What would you like to tell other van owners out there?
“On a personal note, not only has camping and caravanning helped us spend more time together, it’s given us a sense of purpose. It also can have such a positive impact on mental health.
Now we’re in a position to help people in the flood crisis.
We believe that you should always find a reason to do something – don’t find a reason not to do something. Make sure you contribute to the world, don’t just exist.”
We are now calling upon the caravan and van life community to join the Camplify Flood Relief Program.
Whether your van is already listed on Camplify, or you just want to help out by sharing your van, we will ensure it is placed with those in need through our Flood Relief Program and local partners. Plus, we’ll cover the insurance costs for all vans that are placed.
