By Elizabeth Willoughby on
During a telethon held last week to raise money for communities devastated by the bushfires sweeping through Victoria, Australia, actress Nicole Kidman and her musician husband Keith Urban appeared by satellite from Tennessee to show their support and make a $500,000 donation to the Red Cross.
“As Australians, I think the biggest thing is that no matter where you are in the world we support each other,” Kidman said on camera. “We’re Aussies, and we support each other and we rally. We would like to donate a half a million dollars on behalf of our family to the families that need it now.”
Kidman and Urban weren’t the only Australian celebrities to back the telethon. Russell Crowe was one of the first people on the phone when it was announced. Hugh Jackman was also quick to get involved.
“We’re Australians. We help our mates,” Jackman said. “And in the toughest times that’s when we come together.”
Red Cross’ CEO Robert Tickner announced last week his appreciation for public response to the disaster. “We have been inspired by the overwhelming outpouring of community concern and the unprecedented scale of the response,” he said. “In less than four days, more than $50 million has been given by the Australian public. Government contributions and a huge number of additional corporate donations will swell that figure even higher.”
“For us it’s been gut wrenching as Aussies watching this and in particular to be so far away at the moment,” said Urban. “Our hearts go out tonight to all the families that are dealing with the loss of loved ones and having to rebuild their lives again too, which is really what this whole telethon has been about.”
The televised appeal raised over $19 million.
Copyright © 2009 Look to the Stars
