The radio appeal to fill shipping containers with non-perishable food, blankets, toys and clothes proved so successful more than 10 containers are now full. Canberra FM Radio marketing director Zak Davies said it had been mayhem. The station initially estimated four containers would be filled.

An army of volunteers waded through the goods and packed them for transport yesterday afternoon, but the station stopped accepting items at 6pm.

Mr Davies urged people to take goods to the Salvation Army instead or give money to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund.

He said all those involved in the local fund-raising drive had been overwhelmed by the response.

''We are staggered by what has happened,'' he said. Allied Pickfords in Queanbeyan, which is transporting the containers to Victoria for free, had also been swamped with items.

The firm will also no longer accept goods and suggested people opt for cash donations.

Many schools and community groups made hurried changes to their fund-raising activities yesterday. Others scrambled to get goods to the station before the cut-off last night.

St Michael's Primary School in Kaleen sent letters to parents alerting them to only donate cash at its fund-raising morning tea on Friday, as did Lyneham High School.

Many community groups and local businesses held collections for cash donations yesterday, with more planned for the rest of the week.

Hats were passed around in universities and many workplaces held fund-raising lunches and morning teas. Canberra Airport gave $200,000 to the bushfire fund, one of the largest local donations.

Airport owner Terry Snow said he felt for families involved in the blaze.

More than $28 million was donated nationally to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Fund by yesterday afternoon. This had been raised through more than 139,000 website and phone donations.

Governments and companies pledged additional sums.

Canberrans were urged to stick with registered charities for cash donations as news of scammers surfaced interstate.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Graeme Samuel warned scammers could door knock, email or approach people in the street for money.

''In the past, such as during the 2003 Canberra bushfires and the December 26 2004 Asian tsunami, scammers took advantage of people's generosity and kindness,'' he said. ''Not only do these scams cost people money, they also divert much needed donations away from legitimate charities and causes.''