Comedian Celeste Barber's Bushfire Fundraiser Brings In More Than £13 Million

Comedian Celeste Barber's bushfire fundraiser has received more than £13 million ($17 million) in donations since it was set up on Friday.

The 37-year-old wrote on the fundraising page: "I'm raising money for The Trustee for NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate a lot or a little. Anything helps."

The response to the appeal has been incredible, with pledges from all over the world helping to rapidly escalate the fund, which at times has been growing at a rate of £530 ($693) per second.

Speaking to 7 News, Barber said: "People are amazing. Power to the people. Someone needed to do something and the people have done something."

She is not the only celebrity to have done her bit to help tackle the devastating blazes ravaging Australia.

US singer P!nk announced yesterday (Saturday) she was pledging $500,000 (£382,043) to help fight the bushfires.

In a tweet, she said: "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."

Actor Nicole Kidman - who was raised in Sydney - also matched P!nk's generous pledge.

Authorities confirmed on Saturday that two people were killed on Kangaroo Island after flames appeared to overrun their vehicle, taking the total death toll from the current bushfires to 23.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated across the country, while 1,500 homes have already been destroyed by the fires.

You can donate to Barber's fundraiser here.

Topics: World News, Bushfires, Inspirational, Australia

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey