Chris Hemsworth, Elton John Each Donate $1 Million Toward Australia’s Fire-Fighting Efforts

(TMU) — Aussie star Chris Hemsworth and his wife, model and actress Elsa Pataky, are likely preparing for their donated workout sessions for the benefit auction to Fund the Fires, organized by Make it Rain, which include a host of items up for auction and a two day music festival in Byron Bay January 8-9.

Hemsworth put his money where his heart is and announced on social media today that he and his family will be making a $1 million donation to Australian bush fire relief. He added:

“Hopefully you guys can chip in too. Every penny counts so whatever you can muster up is greatly appreciated.”

The post also has a list of links to several organizations and charities “who are working flat out to support and relief during this devastating and challenging time,’’ Hemsworth wrote.

A star in his home country of Australia since the age of 18, Hemsworth remains a down-to-earth, nice guy who does not hesitate to use his fame and money for the greater good of humanity. Some of the charities and foundations he supports include Baby2Baby, CORE, Hollywood Charity Horse Show,  Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation, Oceana, and the  Robert F Kennedy Memorial, over and above his support for Australian bushfire relief.

Australia is in the midst of the worst bushfire season in living memory, with record high temperatures. Fires have destroyed huge swathes of bush in New South Wales (NSW) since September. The death toll of Australia’s wildlife is now estimated to be more than one billion since the start of the fire season, while at least 25 people lost their lives and thousands of homes have been destroyed.

While scattered showers brought some relief to fire ravaged communities, Victoria and NSW are preparing for more dangerous fires on Thursday and Friday.

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Hemsworth joins several other celebrities and A-listers who’ve made recent donations to bush fire relief, including Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Margot Robbie, Selena Gomez, Elton John, and Pink.

Elton John—no stranger when it comes to making donations to charities and causes—during a concert in Sydney, made an amazing announcement to the crowd, pledging $1 million towards Australian bushfire relief. During Elton’s epic announcement at his Qudos Bank Arena performance, he exclaimed his awe of the Australian firefighters and how heartbroken he was for the country.

“We should all be in the awe of the work the fire fighters are doing. There are people out there who have lost their lives trying to save homes, there are people who have lost their lives and their homes.

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. Therefore tonight, I will be pledging $1 million dollars to support the bushfire relief fund.

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 and I love Australia so much.”

Of course the crowd cheered with a standing ovation, before John performed “Your Song,” and included the message:

“To those who have lost their homes, God Bless, I hope that your lives will be repaired very, very soon.”

By Jade Small | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com