Australia digs deep for Nine's bushfire appeal bringing in over $20 million last night alone

[Stacey King]

06:00 AEST Fri Feb 13 2009 by ninemsn


Australians have opened up their wallets for the Nine Network's bushfire appeal, bringing in over $20 million for victims of the firestorm disaster.

Australians have now donated more than $75 million to the victims of the bushfires.

At last night's Channel 9 appeal Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban led the way, personally donating $500,000 to the Red Cross via the Australia Unites telethon.

The Aussie supercouple were joined by other Hollywood stars Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Naomi Watts, Rachel Griffiths and Simon Baker who sent recorded messages of support from the US.

Actor Anthony LaPaglia and his wife Gia Carides donated $50,000, with Canadian crooner Michael Buble also kicking in $50,000.

Manning the phones in Nine's Melbourne studios were models Megan Gale and Miranda Kerr, Rove McManus and his partner Tasma Walton, Shane Warne and Underbelly star Kate Ritchie.

British actor Orlando Bloom, in Australia to spend Valentine's Day with his girlfriend Kerr, got in on the act but was not immune from a light ribbing by the night's host Eddie McGuire.

"You might be a good bloke but you're still a Pom," McGuire said jokingly. Nine's executive director Jeffrey Brown said the appeal was a great success.

"We have been overwhelmed at Channel 9 by the generosity of people wanting to donate money, good and services to assist Victoria's bushfire victims," Mr Browne.

"We are humbled by all that and only hope that Australia Unites provides not only some tangible assistance to those in need but also some comfort."

The telethon included a special concert featuring some of Australia's most renowned musicians in the town of Whittlesea.

Several thousand people packed an area near the main relief centre for the fire ravaged Kinglake region where at least 150 people were killed in Saturday's inferno.

Brendan King, who lives between Whittlesea and Wallan, feared he would lose his house on Saturday until a wind change blew the fire away, said the concert was making people happy.

"It just helps to make everyone a little bit happier," Mr King said.

He spent much of the week volunteering at the Whittlesea Bushfire Relief Centre.

The entertainment kicked off with Men At Work performing Down Under, while John Williamson, Angry Anderson and Lee Kernaghan were among other performers.

King Lake West resident Lisa O'Donnell who managed to save her house last Saturday was among those at the concert.

Ms O'Donnell said the community spirit had come out since the fires.

"This is what Aussie mateship is all about," Ms O'Donnell said, "this is Australia, it doesn't surprise me at all.

* Donate to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal here or call them on 1800...
* Make a donation to injured animals here