ASX today announced that an immediate $500,000 donation will be made to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund – one of the nationally endorsed funds working to deliver immediate support to communities affected by the current bushfires.

ASX is donating $500,000 to the @RedCrossAU Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund—one of the nationally endorsed funds working to deliver immediate support to communities affected by the current bushfires. See media release: https://t.co/chf5CgmVON#AustralianFires

— ASX ? The heart of Australia's financial markets (@ASX) January 13, 2020

This is in addition to the $20,000 financial donation made to the Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund and the NSW Rural Fire Service in November last year, matching employee donations and increasing support for employee volunteering activities.

ASX CEO and Managing Director, Dominic Stevens, said that corporate Australia plays a critical role in supporting the significant, nationwide recovery effort.

“Rebuilding devastated communities, businesses, wildlife and infrastructure will require a sustained longterm commitment,” Mr Stevens said.

“I’m enormously proud of the generosity of everyday Australians and moved by the way businesses have stepped up to offer help however they can.

“With extreme fire conditions continuing to threaten communities and the fire season far from over, the immediate need to assist the bush fire response and affected communities continues alongside rebuild and recovery planning.

“For now, our thoughts remain with all of those affected by the bushfires and for the thousands of volunteers working to keep lives and property safe.”

Initiatives undertaken by ASX include:

• matching donations of up to $500 made by ASX employees to registered charities
• supporting employee fundraising activities with an ASX Giving drive
• increasing paid volunteering leave from one to two days for all employees, in addition to the 20 days leave entitlement for members of voluntary emergency services agencies.

Source: ASX