Comedian Celeste Barber’s global fundraiser has grossed more than $40 million to help Australian firefighters and the Red Cross has raised $34.9 million for bushfire recovery.
Since New Year’s Eve, the Red Cross Disaster Response and Recovery Fund has received donations from across the globe.
“Australians and indeed people around the world have shown extraordinary generosity in donating to the fund, which will mean we can scale up our work helping communities recover from these devastating fires across multiple states,” Australian Red Cross acting chief executive Noel Clement said.
As bushfires persisted through light rain across southeast Australia on Tuesday, Barber’s online fund – running since Friday – was nudging $41 million and showing no signs of slowing.
Barber, who won fans with her celebrity parodies on Instagram, has attracted more than one million donations from around the world.
“It’s just hit me, it’s so much money … it’s incredible,” Barber said in an online post as the fund hit $36 million.
She also posted footage of her NSW south coast-based mother-in-law, Joy Robin, who was caught up in the fires.
“This is our war. This fire is Australia’s war,” an upset Ms Robin says at the height of the bushfire disaster in the video clip posted on Barber’s Instagram and Facebook accounts.
“I’m fine, I’ve got a car, I’ve got somewhere to be safe but look at all these … all these people haven’t.”
The money raised by Barber’s campaign will go to the registered charity NSW Rural Fire Service and Brigades Donations Fund. Pledged donations are due between 15 and 90 days.
Australia’s disastrous bushfires have attracted several high-profile and corporate donations, including $500,000 from US singer Pink, another half-million dollars from Australian actor Nicole Kidman and her husband Keith Urban, plus $5 million from the billionaire Packer family.
Artists are organising charity events to raise more funds, with ARIA-winning singer Tones and I announcing plans for a Melbourne concert on January 28 to benefit the RFS, Victoria’s Country Fire Association and Red Cross.
AAP
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