[Anna M]

Our thoughts go out to anyone affected by the Victorian Bushfires. We ask any members of Smart Punter to consider donating 20% of winnings to the Red Cross Bushfire appeal.

Over 160 lives lost with the number expected to increase as authorities access more homes and discover vehicles in which people attempted to escape the fires.

Currently we are involved in the response phase providing temporary accommodation and food in around 20 evacuation centres. We have registered 7,500 people and provided 4,500 first aid treatments.

We have a team at Kinglake with medical supplies and food -- they are visiting a community who chose not to leave when the fires came through and who have not had any contact since. Priorities will be medical help, food and registering their names so family and friends know they are safe and well.

Another team are focusing on the Whittlesea evacuation centre as people are able to return to their homes for the first time. Our team will be offering personal support as this is going to be a very difficult time for those returning.

People from around Australia and around the world are phoning through to our Inquiry Centre to check on family and friends. Volunteers who are trained in personal support are relaying heartwarming as well as heartbreaking, stories as the calls come in. In the past 24 hours alone we have answered 6,000 enquiries.

Over 400 volunteers and staff continue to work in rotating shifts. Red Cross call centres in WA, ACT and NSW have opened to help deal with the volume of calls from people checking on the welfare of evacuees.

Smart Punter will be donating 20% of player commissions for Feb & March 09.