Elton Johnjoins thelist of celebritieswho have pledged donations to combat thedevastating Australian bushfiresthat have ravaged the country since September.
On Tuesday, the legendary singer-songwriter announced to fans attending his concert at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, that he would be donating $1 million to relief efforts.
“And lastly, there’s the plight of the animals, a loss of their habitat that frankly is on a biblical scale and it’s heartbreaking,” he continued. “Therefore tonight, I will be pledging $1 million dollars to support the bushfire relief fund.”
DEAN LEWINS/Shutterstock
The “Rocket Man” singer concluded, “As I said earlier, this is a magnificent country and I love it here so much and to see what is happening here breaks my heart, so we have to come together, we have to fight and this is my bit towards it. I love Australia so much. To those who have lost their homes, God bless, I hope that your lives will be repaired very, very soon.”
Just hours before, actorChris Hemsworthalso pledged $1 million,and asked his fans to also“contribute in any way, shape, or form.”
“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. Every penny counts so whatever you can muster up is greatly appreciated,” he wrote on Instagram. “Beyond appreciative to everyone around the world for their well wishes and donations. It really does make a difference, so dig deep! Love ya.”
Over the weekendNicole KidmanandKeith Urbanalso donated $500,000 toRural Fire Service,a rep for Kidman toldPEOPLE. The couple hold Australia near and dear to their hearts as Urban was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia.
Fires in Sydney, Australia.David Gray/Getty
Pink alsopledged a $500,000 donationto the local fire services, and actressHilary Duffhas said she and husbandMatthew Komawillalso be donating, among others.
Since September, at least 24 people have been killed, including 10 firefighters, according toTime.Over 12-million acres have been wiped out with hundreds of homes and buildings destroyed as the more than 130 fires continue to burn across the country — leaving thousands of people displaced. A seven-day state of emergency was declared on Dec. 23.
Just last week, ecologists from the University of Sydney announced that they believe almosthalf a billion animals have died. Arecent fire on Kangaroo Islandoff the coast of South Australia killed tens of thousands of koalas.
source: people.com
