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The Red Cross is having to pay bank fees for credit card donations made to its Victoria bush fire appeal.
The New Zealand Red Cross and the New Zealand Salvation Army are collecting money to send to Australia to help the victims of the bushfires that have so far claimed over 180 lives.
As of this morning the Red Cross had collected $579,000 through credit card donations, bank deposits and their 0900 number.
But every time someone makes a donation by using their credit card there is a bank charge that the Red Cross pays for.
Red Cross spokeswoman Kelly Mitchell said the charity passes on 100 per cent of any donation and pays for the bank fees through money raised in its shops and by its first aid courses.
"One hundred per cent of any donation is forwarded to the appeal," Ms Mitchell said.
She said the amount of the bank fees would not be realised until the end of the month when the Red Cross gets a statement.
The Red Cross banks with the ASB bank. The bank has been contacted for comment about its charges but has so far declined to comment.
ASB is owned by the Commonwealth Bank in Australia that ran an appeal during the fourth cricket one day international between Australia and New Zealand in which over $5 million was raised.
The updated dollar figures were repeatedly shown during the coverage, alongside the Commonwealth bank's logo.
The ASB and ANZ banks have also opened their own collection for the bush fire appeal.
The Red Cross is also accepting donations by an 0900 number for which they would normally be charged a fee by Telecom.
However yesterday Telecom spokesman Mark Watts said the company would not be charging the Red Cross.
"We think it is absolutely the right thing to do after the absolute calamity that hit Victoria," Mr Watts said.
He said Telecom would also deduct charges from the Salvation Army's phone bill.
Salvation Army spokesman Major Robbie Ross said the 0800 number provider, Zintel, would also wipe charges for the month of February.
Captain Richard Morris refused to comment on the organisation's banking situation.
"I don't think that's information that needs to go public," Mr Morris said.
The New Zealand Rugby Football Union are supporting collections for the bushfire appeal at all Rebel Sport Super 14 games this weekend.
Pumpkin Patch are asking customers to make donations with their purchases and Diners Club are inviting their customers to convert their club reward points into a cash donation for the appeal.
