CTV> Gary Pert delivers a message of thanks to those who have helped raise over $130,000

The Collingwood Football Club has rallied behind the Victorian Bushfire Appeal and has reached its initial target of money raised.

“I am delighted to announce that we are already at $130,000,” Pert told CTV on Thursday from the Lexus Centre.

“We have now set a new target of $200,000.”

On Monday morning the club launched a major fundraising effort to raise funds through the sale of three-game memberships and online auctions.

After four days the target of $100,000 has been surpassed with a new goal of $200,000 to be raised by Sunday 15 February.

“It has been an amazing week.  We have had the whole football club rally from the players to the staff to all our supporters and members.  Our sponsors have been fantastic coming on board as well.

“It really hasn’t been about the Collingwood Football Club.  We are a central point for all those people who have desperately wanted to help out and contribute and who have been touched by what happened on the weekend.

“We are going to keep on pushing and keep the pressure on.  We now have a new target of 200,000 dollars.”

There is still an opportunity to buy a three-game membership at a reduced cost of $75.  Call 1 300 MAGPIE (1300 62 47 43) or visit the membership website www.membership.collingwoodfc.com.au to order your membership online.

The club online auction is offering amazing experiences and items with all proceeds going to the bushfire appeal.  You can visit the online auction and bid for items that include a seat on the bench with Mick Malthouse during a NAB Cup match and sharing a hot air balloon ride with club champion Peter Daicos.

Click HERE for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal online auction.

“I want to take the opportunity in what has been such a big week to thank all the Collingwood people for what they have already done.  The players have been absolutely fantastic.  Every part of the club, from the coterie groups to the supporter groups, has made their contribution.

“We are going to keep on pushing and see if we can get to that $200,000 mark.  I want to say thanks but I also wanted to say please keep all your donations coming through, as the bushfires have devastated so many and we have to pull together in this time of need.”