French Professional Surfer Jeremy Flores, rated 9th in the world, has donated his contest earnings from the first ASP World Tour event of 2009, the Quiksilver Gold Coast Pro, to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund. Having watched the devastation, caused by the worst disaster in Australian History, from his home in New Caledonia, Jeremy realised how fortunate he was.

He had to act. He said, “I would like to give a donation to the Victoria Bushfire Appeal Fund. I think it’s important to help in these difficult moments while we can.” Jeremy spent his teenage years living in Newport Beach Sydney and so has very close ties with Australia.

The tragic events around the 7th Feb left more than 200 dead and over 7000 homeless. The day, known as ‘Black Saturday’, marks the deadliest Bushfires in the nation’s history. Australia is still coming to terms with the scale of the tragedy, where a combination of high winds and extreme temperatures and, in some cases, acts of arson proved to be a deadly combination.

The next stop on the ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, will take place in Victoria 7-18th April. Jeremy Flores will be there to support the region and of course pursue his aspirations of becoming the first European ASP World Tour Champion.

Donations to the Victorian Bushfire Appeals Fund can be made via the Australian Red Cross.
www.redcross.org.au