Luxury five-star hotel The Darling in Sydney has donated its entire contents to support those affected by last year’s intense flooding in northern New South Wales to rebuild their lives.

Through a partnership with online donation platform GIVIT, The Star Entertainment Group has donated high quality furniture and household items from the 171-room hotel, which is currently being upgraded to The Darling at The Star Sydney.

The donation, which includes hundreds of new mattresses, designer sofas, dining tables, chairs and desks, is part of the company’s commitment to donate AU$2 million of furniture from across its three properties to GIVIT.

“We are proud to be able to support our national community partner GIVIT and its charities doing such inspiring work during challenging times,” said The Star Sydney General Manager of Hotels, Events and Guest Experience, Christina Grasso.

“The Star has a commitment to sustainable practices diverting and repurposing obsolete furniture from landfill as well as striving to help the communities in the cities and states in which we operate. “The timing of the refurbishment of The Darling meant we were in a unique position to provide items that are still so desperately needed by so many.”

Over the past 12 months GIVIT has been working with government, local councils, and groups to facilitate the donation of essential items to those affected by the floods.

“We are commemorating the one-year anniversary of the devastating floods across parts of Northern New South Wales so these items, through the wonderful work on the ground by our partner charity Resilient Lismore, and in turn their local partner Rebuilding the Northern Rivers, will allow many families to make their houses feel like homes again,” said GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said.

“We will also support the Dr Steve Burroughs Foundation with furniture from The Darling going to remote First Nations communities in Queensland and New South Wales.

“The Star’s ongoing support of GIVIT has allowed us to provide people who are moving back into flood damaged homes with high quality furniture and household items.”

One year on, there are still many hundreds of people living in temporary accommodation, according to City Councillor and Resilient Lismore Executive Director, Elly Bird.

“This was one of Australia’s biggest natural disasters and the mammoth recovery effort started the moment the flood waters receded,” she said.

“Being able to provide those who have been able to get back to their homes or into permanent accommodation with these household goods will help people rebuild and return their lives to some normalcy.”

The Darling’s upgrade is expected to be completed by June 2023.