Australian producer Cate McQuillen and her company mememe productions is launching a new child-focused, community-building project to support the physical and mental well-being of children in Australia affected by the bushfire crisis. The Regener8 fund is looking to raise US$680,000 (AUD$1 million) to purchase building and gardening supplies, vehicles, tools and other key materials to help communities rebuild, as well as pay for the labor of the project management team and the specialists who will do work on the ground.

Regener8 will be identifying eight small communities and work with them to create a nurseries for families who have lost their homes. The prodco will also be working with children in these communities, supported by local builders, landscapers and community gardeners to rebuild the soil by composting food scraps, grow pollinating plants to attract bees and regenerate food, fruit, wildlife habitat and shade trees for planting in private and public gardens. It also plans to bring in mental health workers to work directly with the kids.

Mememe’s own headquarters and the set of its Get Grubby TV show was affected by the fires, but saved by water bombing helicopters and local volunteer firefighters in November, says McQuillen.

The prodco is partnering with community services and government registered charity Social Futures (which focuses on children’s mental health and regional community building) for the Regener8 fund. The charity partnership will also provide tax-efficient opportunities for Australian donors or international donors with an Australian registered base.

More information and how to donate can be found on the dirtgirlworld website.