Pink has donated half a million US dollars to local
fire services in Australia amid the country’s worsening wildfire crisis.
The
American singer, who is one of Australia’s biggest selling artists, revealed her pledge of half a million US dollars (£382,043) in a post on Twitter.“I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires,” she wrote.
“I am pledging a donation of 500,000 dollars 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.”I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires. 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 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kyjDbhoXpp— P!nk (@Pink) January 4, 2020More than 20 people have died and millions of animals are believed to have been killed in the blazes that have ravaged the country in recent months.
At least eight people have died this week in New South Wales and neighbouring Victoria, Australia’s two most-populous states, where more than 200 fires are currently burning.
Kylie Minogue, who is currently the face of an
Australian tourist board ad, has also tweeted about the ongoing crisis in her home country.
“Humbled by the extraordinary efforts of the emergency services and volunteers in the ongoing bushfire crisis in Australia. @redcrossau @nswrfs @CFA_Updates @CFSAlerts @WIRES_NSW,” she wrote.Humbled by the extraordinary efforts of the emergency services and volunteers in the ongoing bushfire crisis in Australia 💔@redcrossau@nswrfs@CFA_Updates@CFSAlerts@WIRES_NSW— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) January 4, 2020Aussie actress Naomi Watts has described the fires as “truly horrendous” in a post on Instagram, in which she shared a video taken during her last visit to Byron in New South Wales.
Watts said: “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… for rain.” View this post on InstagramA post shared by Naomi Watts (@naomiwatts) on Jan 2, 2020 at 9:45am PSTMeanwhile, Queer Eye star Bobby Berk urged his 2.6 million
Instagram followers to donate to help local services and organisations to help those affected by the fires.
He highlighted the “tens of thousands of people that are evacuating their homes” and the state of emergency in New South Wales and warned of the high temperatures and winds that could impact the existing blazes and “trigger new fires”. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Bobby Berk (@bobby) on Jan 3, 2020 at 9:19am PST“I’ve put a link in my bio of organisations you can donate to to help those affected.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has been criticised for his response to the fires, on Saturday called up 3,000 defence force reservists as the threat of wildfires escalated.READ MORE: 'This Is What Aussies Do': Acts Of Kindness From The Bushfires – And How You Can Help Too Australian Bushfires Rage Out Of Control As 3,000 Reserve Troops Brought In To Tackle Crisis Australian PM Scott Morrison Heckled Over Bushfire Crisis In Latest Embarrassment