Twitter auction for Russell Crowe’s Rabbitohs’ cap raises $300,000 for NSW firefighters

Russell Crowe’s sooty Rabbitohs’ cap brings donations, including $100,000 from Atlassian co-founders.

Russell Crowe wearing a hat similar to the auctioned cap at Rabbitohs’ training. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij

More than $300,000 has been raised for NSW firefighters after a sooty Rabbitohs’ cap owned by Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe kicked off a flood of donations, including $100,000 from Atlassian co-founders Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar.

Mr Crowe, who nearly lost his Nana Glen property after it was hit by bushfires earlier this month, announced on Thursday that his iconic cap would be sold via Twitter auction, with the proceeds going to the hundreds of firefighters battling blazes across NSW.

Should I auction this hat off?
Signed and personalised to the highest bidder?
I’ll double or triple the winning bid and donate the $ to the ⁦@NSWRFS⁩ .

24 hours . Winning bidder contacted by DM. pic.twitter.com/nyyKMHGJm9

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 27, 2019

An early leader to win the cap was comedian and radio host Lawrence Mooney, who had bid $US4300, but he was outbid by Sydney-based tech entrepreneur Mr Cannon-Brookes who offered to bid $US68,000 ($100,000) if Mr Crowe promised to sign it “today is the day” and add his name.

He also asked Mr Crowe to give it to a kid and “make his day”.

Atlassian co-CEOs Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar. Source: Atlassian

Sign it “Today is the day” and add your name...

then find a kid affected by the bushfires & make his day by giving him the hat...

then I’ll bid $100k AUD mate 👊🏻

Tks for doing this.#nametheday

— Mike Cannon-Brookes 👨🏼‍💻🧢 (@mcannonbrookes) November 28, 2019

Mr Cannon-Brooke's co-CEO Scott Farquhar and his wife Kim joined in, adding an extra $100,000 of their own, as did the US-based CEO of tech outfit Qualtrics Ryan Smith.

@russellcrowe @mcannonbrookes would love to join the party (unless 3 is a crowd)! The RFS do amazing work. Thank you both for leading the way. $100k from my wife Kim and I.

— Scott Farquhar (@scottfarkas) November 28, 2019

Qualtrics CEO Ryan Smith. Source: Supplied.

I’m not from Australia but have offices and friends there. Painful to watch. I’m matching @mcannonbrookes donation.

— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) November 29, 2019

“I want to thank the volunteers all over the state and all over the country that work tirelessly to keep our communities safe," Mr Crowe said on Twitter, announcing Mr Cannon-Brookes as the winning bidder.

Mr Crowe said the beneficiaries would include RFS brigades at Coffs Harbour, Nana Glen, Karangi, Woolgoolga, Urunga, Coramba, Orara, Solitary, Bostabrick, Corindi, Sandy Beach, Moonee, Repton, Bunts and MNC Support.

So from a random, silly idea;
twitter auctioning this slightly used hat ... atleast $400,000 Australian has landed with @NSWRFS today. I also see lots of people have got onboard & given what they can.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/Lsda3HYb8W

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 29, 2019

The NSW RFS has issued a warning for residents to prepare for a hot and windy weekend. To date the fires have killed six people and more than 650 homes have been destroyed across the state.

So... delivered 19 cheques to RFS Captain John Lardner, a total of $105k because I cant count apparently,
haha all good@NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/QlCEXMBlm6

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 29, 2019