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Leonardo DiCaprio Donates $3 Million To Bushfire Appeal

Leonardo DiCaprio Donates $3 Million To Bushfire Appeal

The money will 'assist critical firefighting efforts, aid local communities, and support the long term restoration of unique ecosystems'.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Leonardo DiCaprio has become the latest big name celebrity to pledge an absolute boatload of cash towards to the Australian bushfire appeal.

His environmental organisation Earth Alliance has forked out a whopping $3 million to help organisations dealing directly with the crisis.

The Hollywood star made the announcement on Instagram, saying: "Earth Alliance, created in 2019 by Leonardo DiCaprio, Laurene Powell Jobs, and Brian Sheth, has launched the #AustraliaWildfireFund.

"A US$3 million commitment to assist critical firefighting efforts in New South Wales, aid local communities most affected by the wildfires, enable wildlife rescue and recovery, and support the long term restoration of unique ecosystems."

Hopefully some of that money will be directed to states other than NSW as they are also grappling with some catastrophic conditions.

New South Wales has no doubt battled the majority of bushfires during this season, however Victoria and South Australia have also had their fair share of blazes that have destroyed homes and livelihoods.

PA

Earth Alliance has helped deal with some of the biggest crises that have happened ever since its inception last year.

It pledged a whopping $5 million towards the Amazon fire outbreak, which went to five local organisations that are directly related to combating the collective blaze.

There have been hundreds of millions of dollars pledged towards the Australian bushfire crisis now, with loads of A-listers getting behind the cause.

Legendary band Metallica recently announced they were giving $750,000 and Elton John also pledged a whopping $500,000.

PA

But no one has been more generous than Aussie businessman Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest, who has committed to giving $70 million.

Through his Minderoo Foundation, the funds will be split into different categories so that they can make the most impact, according to ABC.

Fifty million dollars (£26m / US $34m) has been allocated to drawing up a 'national blueprint' to look at future approaches to battling and mitigating bushfires.

Ten million dollars (£5m / US $6.8m) will spent on developing a volunteer army, with the intention of deploying 1,200 people from the mining and agriculture sectors to areas already affected by bushfires to help the local communities.

Andrew Forrest
Andrew Forrest

The final $10m will go to communities that have been hit hard by the bushfires, in accordance with the Australian Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Mr Forrest said: "With incredible courage and determination, Australians have united to help those devastated by these bushfires.

"We recognise that we don't have all the answers, but we want to understand what communities need and do our bit to help them."

If you want to help those affected by the devastating bushfires, click here.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Celebrity, News, Bushfires, Australia