Chris Hemsworth, Pink, Nicole Kidman, More Donate Over $3 Million to Australian Bushfire Relief

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Chris Hemsworth, Pink, Nicole Kidman, More Donate Over $3 Million to Australian Bushfire Relief

Chris Hemsworth joined the growing list of celebrities donating to Australian bush fire relief in the wake of the catastrophic bushfires devastating the country. The Avengers star announced on Monday, January 6, that he is giving $1 million to help support firefighters as they battle the blazes across his home country. "Every penny counts so whatever you can muster up is greatly appreciated," he wrote on Instagram. Pink announced on Friday, January 3, that she is donating $500,000 to Australian fire services in the “I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires," the "Just Give Me a Reason" singer, 40, wrote. "I am pledging a donation of $500,000 directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines. My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz.” https://www.instagram.com/p/B642EczJSFH/ The Grammy winner is one of the country’s best-loved stars, breaking records with her concert ticket sales Down Under. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, whose Australian farm is under threat in the fires, posted on Saturday that they are also donating $500,000 to firefighters. At least 200 bushfires raging across the country have burned more than 15 million acres, killing at least 20 people with dozens missing. By comparison, the California wildfires in 2018 burned an area of less than 2 million acres. “We’re in the middle of a war situation … mass evacuations, the involvement of the military, hugely exhausted firefighting campaigns, it’s difficult to explain,” David Bowman, a professor of pyrogeography and fire science and the director of the Fire Centre Research Hub at the University of Tasmania, told Time magazine. It’s estimated that almost half a billion animals, including kangaroos and koalas, have been killed by the bushfires. Animal hospitals are struggling to care for the numbers of wildlife brought in for treatment for burns, while volunteers are going into fire-ravaged areas to look for injured animals and provide food and water for those that have survived. Terri Irwin has shared information on how her Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital — which has treated 90,000 patients since it opened in 2004 — has been caring for injured animals. But sadly, not all of her updates have been positive. Posting a photo of a possum named Blossom, who was badly burned in a bushfire in Queensland, Irwin tweeted on Friday, “It is with a heavy heart that I must share, dear Blossom and her two babies did not survive. Their injuries were too extensive from the bushfire. They were comforted, given pain relief, and received the best medical treatment possible. Today has been tough.” https://twitter.com/TerriIrwin/status/1213015368584724480 The Australian Red Cross has launched a disaster appeal, click here to donate. Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has a GoFundMe that has raised more than $2.8 million and is sharing donations with other wildlife organizations in the state of New South Wales. Scroll down to see how other stars are offering their support. [podcast_block]

Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock; Shutterstock

Chris Hemsworth, Pink, Nicole Kidman, More Donate Over $3 Million to Australian Bushfire Relief

Chris Hemsworth joined the growing list of celebrities donating to Australian bush fire relief in the wake of the catastrophic bushfires devastating the country. The Avengers star announced on Monday, January 6, that he is giving $1 million to help support firefighters as they battle the blazes across his home country. "Every penny counts so whatever you can muster up is greatly appreciated," he wrote on Instagram. Pink announced on Friday, January 3, that she is donating $500,000 to Australian fire services in the “I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires," the "Just Give Me a Reason" singer, 40, wrote. "I am pledging a donation of $500,000 directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines. My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz.” https://www.instagram.com/p/B642EczJSFH/ The Grammy winner is one of the country’s best-loved stars, breaking records with her concert ticket sales Down Under. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, whose Australian farm is under threat in the fires, posted on Saturday that they are also donating $500,000 to firefighters. At least 200 bushfires raging across the country have burned more than 15 million acres, killing at least 20 people with dozens missing. By comparison, the California wildfires in 2018 burned an area of less than 2 million acres. “We’re in the middle of a war situation … mass evacuations, the involvement of the military, hugely exhausted firefighting campaigns, it’s difficult to explain,” David Bowman, a professor of pyrogeography and fire science and the director of the Fire Centre Research Hub at the University of Tasmania, told Time magazine. It’s estimated that almost half a billion animals, including kangaroos and koalas, have been killed by the bushfires. Animal hospitals are struggling to care for the numbers of wildlife brought in for treatment for burns, while volunteers are going into fire-ravaged areas to look for injured animals and provide food and water for those that have survived. Terri Irwin has shared information on how her Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital — which has treated 90,000 patients since it opened in 2004 — has been caring for injured animals. But sadly, not all of her updates have been positive. Posting a photo of a possum named Blossom, who was badly burned in a bushfire in Queensland, Irwin tweeted on Friday, “It is with a heavy heart that I must share, dear Blossom and her two babies did not survive. Their injuries were too extensive from the bushfire. They were comforted, given pain relief, and received the best medical treatment possible. Today has been tough.” https://twitter.com/TerriIrwin/status/1213015368584724480 The Australian Red Cross has launched a disaster appeal, click here to donate. Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has a GoFundMe that has raised more than $2.8 million and is sharing donations with other wildlife organizations in the state of New South Wales. Scroll down to see how other stars are offering their support. [podcast_block]

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Seth MacFarlane

The Family Guy creator reportedly donated $1 million to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to help with the increased number of animals in need amid the catastrophic brush fires. Bindi Irwin, whose family owns and operates the zoo, thanked MacFarlane via Twitter for being an "extraordinary Wildlife Warrior" and confirmed that the zoo would be renaming their new Koala Intensive Care Ward in his honor. 

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Gordon Ramsay

The celebrity chef announced on January 10 that he would auction off a private lunch to raise money. "#Australia I've decided to do two seatings of lunch Monday so that we can donate $100,000 to the @RedCrossAU and the Bushfire appeal. Thank you to everyone who bid … the Aussie spirit that I've seen firsthand the past few days is so inspiring. Stay safe Gx," he posted via Instagram.

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Serena Williams

The tennis pro donated her cash prize of $43,000 after taking the title at the ATP Auckland Open on January 12. "I've been playing in Australia for over 20 years, so it's been really hard for me to watch the news," she said during her winner's speech. "So, I decided at the beginning of the tournament, every match I played, I'd donate a dress, and I'd also donate all my prize money for a great cause."

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Bethenny Frankel

“My team is in strategy mode with a plan to effectively and efficiently aid Australia in this crisis, which affects our entire planet,” the former reality TV star wrote on Instagram on January 6. “Aside from my personal connection to and love for Australia, this is an international crisis. … We are in direct talks with the executive directors of various Fire Services and are working directly with them to enhance their workforce and equipment. We will visit shelters to distribute aid and cash cards to those who have lost everything. We will provide aid for the suffering animals in need.”

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Leonardo DiCaprio

The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star announced a $3 million commitment to launch the Australia Wildfire Fund, an international response to the bushfires, on January 9. DiCaprio made the donation through his environmental organization, The Earth Alliance.

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Kylie Jenner

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star donated $1 million to the volunteer firefighters, injured wildlife and people who’ve lost their homes in the devastating fires consuming Australia, Us Weekly confirmed on January 7.

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Elton John

The “Tiny Dancer” crooner announced his plans to donate $1 million to the ongoing crisis when he closed out a show in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday, January 7.

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Kylie Minogue

The “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” singer revealed that she and her family, including her sister, Masked Singer Australia judge Danni Minogue, have donated $500,000 to her native Australia amid the bushfire crisis. “Last year I had the incredible opportunity of visiting some of the many beautiful places in my homeland for the first time. Returning home to such devastation throughout much of the country is heartbreaking,” she tweeted on Monday, January 6. “As a family, we’ve donated $500,000 towards the immediate firefighting efforts and the ongoing support which will be required. Big or small, from near or far, any support will help those affected by the devastating bushfires.”

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Shawn Mendes

When the “Mercy” singer shared a photo of himself feeding a kangaroo from his previous visit to Australia, he pledged to donate and asked his followers to do the same. “Every time I’ve been to Australia I’ve fallen more in love with the people & wildlife,” he tweeted on Tuesday, January 7. “Join me & support relief efforts for the devastating effects of the wildfires. The @shawnfoundation & I are making donations to @RedCrossAU, NSW Rural Fire Service & SA Country Fire Service.”

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Shailene Woodley

The Big Little Lies star shared a list of fundraisers to donate to on Saturday, January 4. The following day, she posted a photo of a firefighter rescuing a koala and advised her followers to click the link in her bio to donate. “Let’s do everything we can to help them over there,” the actress wrote on Sunday, January 5. “The animals, the land, the family’s, the babies, the homes, THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE WORKING DAY AND NIGHT WITH BARELY ANY SUPPLIES ... please please please donate. whatever you can!!!”

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Chris Hemsworth

“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,” the Thor actor wrote via Instagram on Monday, January 6. “Every penny counts so whatever you can muster up is greatly appreciated.” The Australia native shared a video asking his followers to join in the efforts of raising money for bushfire relief to help the volunteer firefighters and wildlife injured in the devastating blazes. “Beyond appreciative to everyone around the world for their well wishes and donations,” he wrote. “It really does make a difference, so dig deep! Love ya.”

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Phoebe Waller-Bridge

At the 77th annual Golden Globes on Sunday, January 5, the Fleabag actress revealed that she’ll be auctioning off the Ralph & Russo suit she wore to the ceremony to help fight the Australian bushfires.

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Pink

“I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires," the singer wrote on Instagram on Friday. "I am pledging a donation of $500,000 directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines. My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz.”

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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban

The couple announced on Saturday that they were donating $500,000 to the firefighters as Kidman attended an event in Beverly Hills in tears over the threat to her Australian country home. “Our family’s support, thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the fires all over Australia,” they wrote on Instagram. “We are donating $500,000 to the Rural Fire Services who are all doing and giving so much right now.

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Halsey

The singer was set to headline the Falls Festival in Lorne, Australia, on New Year’s Eve until it was canceled due to a severe weather warning. Instead, she announced a replacement show in Melbourne, with all profits going to bushfire relief. Other acts set to play at the festival, including Yungblud, also performed fundraising shows.  

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Russell Crowe

The Oscar winner, who revealed that his multimillion-dollar property at Nana Glen was “scorched” in the fires, raised $400,000 for the NSW Rural Fire Service by auctioning off one of his old South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league caps (he is an owner of the team). The Gladiator star shared a photo of himself handing over an envelope of checks to the fire service’s captain, with the RFS later tweeting, “We tip our hat to you, @russellcrowe. What an amazing and generous show of support for our incredible volunteers!”

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Selena Gomez

“Absolutely devastated by the fires in Australia,” she tweeted along with a link for how people can help. “Praying for everyone affected and all of the first responders. I’m making a donation and would love if you would consider doing the same if you can.”

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Kim Kardashian

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star has been sharing updates on the fires with her followers and on Friday tweeted, “Climate change is real,” along with a broken heart.

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Terri and Bindi Irwin

The mother-daughter pair have been posting updates of the work being down to help injured animals at their Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in Queensland. Both shared images of a burned possum named Blossom, who later succumbed to her injuries. “Devastatingly this beautiful girl didn’t make it even after working so hard to save her life,” Bindi wrote on Instagram on Saturday. “I want to thank you for your kind words and support. This is the heart-wrenching truth, every day is a battle to stand up and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Now more than ever we need to work together to make a difference and protect our Mother Earth.”

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Naomi Watts

The actress, who grew up in Australia, spent her Christmas vacation back home and shared a video from her last night in Byron Bay. “To get a sense of how beautiful the wildlife regularly sounds ... Please turn up the volume. The fires have been truly horrendous. It's so upsetting and worrying. So much wildlife already lost. And still much of the summer ahead. My heart goes out to those who've lost loved ones and homes. Big gratitude to the brave firemen who literally haven't stopped during the holidays !! Heartbroken for all the animals, plants and land ... [Praying] for rain.”

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Celeste Barber

The Australian comedian — known for her celebrity parodies on Instagram — launched a fundraiser on Facebook on Friday, with funds doing to the NSW Rural Fire Services and Brigades Donations Fund. By Tuesday, January 7, it had raised more than $30 million. Barber, who shared “terrifying” images of her mother-in-law’s home, revealed on Saturday, January 4, that her family had been evacuated.

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Kacey Musgraves

“So incredibly saddened and disheartened by the fire in Australia (among other headlines.),” the singer tweeted on Friday. “Laying her feeling hopeless. The despair is overwhelming. How can I help?” After a fan replied with a link for charities, the “Rainbow” singer responded, “Thank you. Just donated.”

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Cher

After a fan sent the Oscar winner two photos of the fires, she replied, “AUSTRALIAN FRNDS JUST ESCAPED IN TIME.ITS BEYOND DIRE THIS IS WHAT CLIMATE CHANGE LOOKS LIKE. 15 MILLION ACRES BURNED,450 MILLION ANIMALS KILLED(SO FAR),AIR NOT BREATHABLE,& FIRES NOT CONTAINED.WHY ISNT [THE U.S.] COVERING CATASTROPHIC STORY.AUSTRALIA ‘WAS’ A CLOSE ALLY.”

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Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan

The royal couple announced via Instagram that they have donated to the bushfire relief and encouraged people to do the same on January 4. "This global environmental crisis has now been described as Ecocide," they wrote in a joint statement. "It's easy to feel helpless, but there's always a way to help."

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Robert Irwin

The wildlife photographer thanked his followers for supporting the Irwin family as they work to rescue more animals from the bushfire. “This is patient number 90,000 that the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital has treated. ‘Ollie’ the orphaned platypus is receiving round the clock care until he can be released back to the wild,” the teenager captioned an Instagram photo of the animal on January 2. “Over the last 16 years, the hospital has provided 24/7 wildlife rehabilitation and an incredible animal rescue service. We’re so proud of this world-class facility! Thank you for your support - with pressures from drought to bushfires, wildlife need our help now more than ever.”

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Hilary Duff

“The fires in beautiful Australia are covering the entire country 14.7 million acres have burned. That is an unfathomable number,” the Lizzie McGuire alum wrote on Instagram on Saturday, January 4. “Half a billion animals GONE. Burned alive. 💔💔 its a strange feeling of guilt to be enjoying my honeymoon in South Africa in a similar landscape where the animals are healthy and free and such devastating circumstances for others occurring at the same moment. Homes burned, people displaced and unfortunately some lives lost. @Matthewkoma and I are coming up with a number that we feel comfortable with to donate and will keep you posted on that. Please do what you can.”

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Busy Philipps

The former late night host shared a link to a Facebook fundraiser for the NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund on her Instagram Stories on Saturday, January 4. “Swipe up to donate. This is an emergency and terrible tragedy,” Philipps captioned the screenshot.