Comedian Celeste Barber joins the growinglist of celebritieswho have pledged to help combat thedevastating Australian bushfiresthat have ravaged the country since September.
Last week, Barber, 37, launched a wildly successful Facebook fundraiser benefittingThe Trustee for NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund.
The fundraiser, which launched on Friday, has since raised more than $32 million. At the time of publication, 1.2 million people had donated to the page.
“This is incredible,” she tweeted after seeing how much she’d raised. “Power to the people.”
According toBusiness Insider Australia, the page is Facebook’s largest global fundraiser.
“Want to join me in supporting a good cause? I’m raising money for The Trustee for NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate a lot or a little,” the Australia native wrote on the fundraiser page. “Anything helps. Thank you for your support.”
On Twitter, she has been calling on wealthy celebrities to donate.
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Kylie Jenner,Elton JohnandChris Hemsworthhave all announced that they are donating $1 million each torelief efforts.
“Hi everyone. Like you, I want to support the fight against the bushfires here in Australia. My family and I are contributing a million dollars. Hopefully you guys can chip in too. Every penny counts so whatever you can muster up is greatly appreciated,” Hemsworth wrote on Instagram. “Beyond appreciative to everyone around the world for their well wishes and donations. It really does make a difference, so dig deep! Love ya.”
Over the weekendNicole KidmanandKeith Urbanalso donated $500,000 toRural Fire Service,a rep for Kidman toldPEOPLE. The couple hold Australia near and dear to their hearts, as the actress is Australian-American and the country singer was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia.
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Pink alsopledged a $500,000 donationto the local fire services, and actress Hilary Duff has said she and husbandMatthew Komawillbe donating, among others.
Since September, at least 24 people have been killed, including 10 firefighters, according toTime.Over 12 million acres have been wiped out, with hundreds of homes and buildings destroyed as the more than 130 fires continue to burn across the country — leaving thousands of people displaced. A seven-day state of emergency was declared on Dec. 23.
Just last week, ecologists from the University of Sydney announced that they believe almosthalf a billion animals have died. Arecent fire on Kangaroo Islandoff the coast of South Australia killed tens of thousands of koalas.
source: people.com
