Australian V8 Ute Racing has joined in with many around the country to help out with the victims of the Victorian Bushfires.

Already there are 181 people pronounced dead and more than 750 homes have been destroyed.

V8 Utes have put a link on their website www.v8utes.com.auhttp://login.ireach.com.au/ch/1n25myr/371680/82921ckyk.html>  linking to the Red Cross Victoria Bushfire Donations page, giving people easy access to the site. To get the site up quickly Zac Lovett from Ink Design kindly donated his time to produce a website banner to link to the Red Cross page.

Director of SPHERIX, Category Manager of the V8 Utes, spokesman Bill West believes if everyone donates just a little it will help the need greatly.

"If everyone donates all or at least a little of the $950 that the government has promised them it will be a tremendous help to the victims in re-building their homes and getting themselves back on their feet," said West.

To give families immediate assistance with clothing, toys and other household items Wollongong Radio Station i98FM are urging all in the area to donate some of their unwanted bits and pieces laying around the house to the Bushfire Appeal.

WPR Racing has donated their V8 Ute Racing Pantech to deliver the goods to Victoria and their Marketing Manager Jaimie Dyer is glad to be involved in such a worthy cause.

"We are just happy to be helping the victims out in some way, the guys at i98FM have thrown it all together and we are glad to assist in any way we can," said Dyer.

The WPR Transporter will be driven by i98FM's host Marty who will be accompanied by his co-host Erica.

The Pantech will lead the convoy of Matthew Murrell's Freightliner and John Noble in a K&C Childs B-Double to Victoria.

Pick-up points are at the following locations:

* Murrells Freight in Port Kembla* MJ Rowles locations around the Illawarra - for a full list go to www.mjrowles.com.auhttp://login.ireach.com.au/ch/1n25myr/645720/829218frk.html> .  * Wollongong Mini Storage on Rivulet Crescent in Albion Park Rail* South Coast Hire at 2/51 Rowlins Road in Gerringong.

The truck leaves Monday, 16th February and if you live in the Wollongong/Illawarra area in NSW and want to find out more about the drive visit http://www.i98fm.com.au/co-vicfires.htmlhttp://login.ireach.com.au/ch/1n25myr/645718/82921n6ks.html> .

You can also donate money at any National Australia or Bendigo Bank and the Red Cross are also taking Blood Donations (call 13 14 95 or click here <http://login.ireach.com.au/ch/1n25myr/645719/82921jpvq.html> to register).

Anyone concerned about family or friends in fire areas should call the Country Fire Authority (CFA) on 1800 727 077.

General information on fires and fire locations is available by calling the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.