Comedian Raises $20 Million in 48 Hours to Help Firefighting Efforts in Australia

Australia is burning like never before. Every year, the states in the country deal with bushfires, but this season has shown widespread devastation that has brought unforeseeable tragedy to both people and the environment. So far, millions of acres of land in New South Wales (NSW) have been torched. Homes have been engulfed in flames and more than 20 people have died, and the University of Sydney estimates that nearly half a billion animals have been killed by the blazes.

Australian comedian Celeste Barber, known for her brilliant celebrity parodies, is doing something to help. She understands the fires’ havoc first hand—her family was evacuated from the town of Eden in NSW, and she shared eerie footage from her mother-in-law’s home.

In response to the fires, she created a Facebook fundraiser whose proceeds will go to the NSW Rural Fire Service (a government-funded service that is staffed by volunteers) and the Brigades Donations Fund, which disperses funds to brigades. “Please help any way you can. This is terrifying,” she wrote. Her efforts have proved beyond successful. In just 48 hours, the viral campaign raised $20 million, and it is well on its way to raising $30 million.

More celebrities have donated to help the country curb the devastation. Singer P!nk, who has a huge following in Australia, donated $500,000 to firefighters, and Australian actor Nicole Kidman and her husband Keith Urban pledged $500,000 AUD to the cause as well. And backstage at last night's Golden Globes, actress, writer, creator (and Golden Globe winner) Phoebe Waller-Bridge announced she'd be auctioning off her suit to aid Australian bushfire relief. In addition, singer Lizzo and comedian Nick Kroll (both currently on tour in Australia) urged fans to donate to the Rural Fire Service as well as Margot Robbie, Hugh Jackman, Selena Gomez, and Hillary Duff.

If you would like to support Barber’s efforts, you can donate and share on Facebook. You can donate directly to the NSW Rural Fire Service here.

Australia is experiencing widespread devastation in the wake of the bushfires. Homes have been engulfed in flames and there are estimates that nearly half a billion animals have perished.

 

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Comedian Celeste Barber shared these eerie photos from her mother-in-law’s home in New South Wales:

 

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In response to the fires, Barber created a Facebook fundraiser whose proceeds will go to the NSW Rural Fire Service, a government-funded service that is staffed by volunteers, as well as the Brigades Donations Fund which disperses funds to brigades.

Barber isn't the only celebrity pledging money or their support for first responders.

 

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So… delivered 19 cheques to RFS Captain John Lardner, a total of $105k because I cant count apparently, haha all good @NSWRFS

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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