Port Douglas may be more than 2500 kilometres from the bushfires that burned across New South Wales last month, but local Queensland Fire and Emergency Services volunteers have planned a charity car wash this Sunday to raise some much-needed funds for their southern counterparts.

According to recent reports, 208 homes across NSW were destroyed before cooler weather brought a reprieve.

Port Douglas Station Auxiliary Captain, Louie Leone, joined the local brigade 17 years ago, and understands the devastating impact of fires, like those in NSW, on local communities and the fire fighters on the frontlines.

When any Australian community suffers a significant natural disaster, ranging from fires to floods and cyclones, Captain Leone said SES volunteers were deployed to the affected area to help with the recovery and provide assistance. He said although the local combined emergency services weren’t deployed to NSW recently, they’re still keen make a contribution.

This Sunday, December 1, the QFES, QAS QPS, Coast Guard, and Rural Fire Service will join Captain Leone’s team to turn the Port Douglas Fire Station on Davidson Street into a drive-through car wash.

The wash will take about two minutes from start to finish and costs just $5, with all money raised going to the NSW Fire Appeal.