Celebrities, philanthropists, generous individuals and businesses from Australia and overseas have together raised more than $140 million for bushfire victims across the country.
Australian comedian Celeste Barber, whose social media campaign has generated more than $45 million in donations from around the world, has been the most successful fundraiser so far. Starting with a humble goal of $30,000 for the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), her campaign went viral. Having raised more than $7.5 million a day, Barber says she will consult with the NSW RFS to ensure donations are distributed to fire services in other states.
Local and international celebrities alike are using their online platforms to plead with their audiences to support the plight of Australians. US talk show host Ellen Degeneres raised more than $300,000 of a $5 million goal within 10 hours, and Australian actor Dacre Montgomery's campaign has raised a similar amount. By selling nude photos, Instagram model Kaylen Ward estimates she has raised more than $1 million. Actress and Order of Australia recipient Magda Szubanski has teamed up with Will Egg Boy" Connolly to raise a further $100,000 for mental health organisation Beyond Blue.
Elsewhere in Hollywood, famous names are piling onto the growing list of donors. Following US singer P!nk's donation of $US500,000 ($720,000), Chris Hemsworth and Elton John donated $1 million each. On Wednesday Metallica said they will give $750,000 to the NSW RFS and Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA), while Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have given $500,000, matched by Kylie and Dannii Minogue. Australian DJ Flume has given a further $100,000.
US heavy metal band Metallica have become the latest celebrities to donate to the Australian bushfires.Credit: Matthew Tompsett
Philanthropists and the corporate world have also made significant contributions, with the Paul Ramsay Foundation pledging $30 million on Wednesday. The Red Cross, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and St Vincent de Paul will be given $3 million and the balance has been committed to rebuilding regional communities in the long-term.
Billionaire businessman James Packer will donate $5 million, while philanthropists John and Pauline Gandel, investor Alex Waislitz, and the Pratt Foundation are donating $1 million each. Property mogul Justin Hemmes is giving $500,000.
Coles and Woolworths have each contributed $3 million in donations, while Qantas has pledged $1 million. A group of 45 major retailers including eBay, The Iconic and General Pants have agreed to donate all profits made on Thursday to bushfire relief.
The banks have made millions in aid available to customers who are victims of the fires, and more still in donations to relief organisations. The Red Cross has received $1 million from NAB and $250,000 from the Commonwealth Bank. Bendigo Bank and The Salvation Army have partnered to create the Victorian Bushfire Appeal, which has raised more than $15 million so far.
The Red Cross said their Disaster Response and Recovery Fund had received more than $31 million since New Year’s Eve, and state-based fire services have also been generously supported. A social media campaign to raise money for Victoria's CFA has exceeded $1.7 million.
With images of injured native wildlife being broadcast around the world, animal rescue organisations have also received a flood of donations. NSW's Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) is bringing in more than $2 million a day through a social media campaign, which has now exceeded $11 million. The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has surpassed $5 million in donations, while fundraisers for the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park and Wildlife Victoria have received over $880,000 and $170,000 respectively.