FORMER Australian international cricketer Shane Warne has raised an astonishing half a million pounds (A$1m) for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal by selling his famous ‘baggy green’ cap.
50-year-old Warne wore the cap throughout his legendary cricket career.
The bushfires, which started in September, have taken the lives of nearly thirty people and killed thousands of animals as they continue to sweep through various parts of Australia.
Warne is one of many high-profile figures to back the appeal, F1 star Lewis Hamilton recently donated £380,000, while Brighton’s Aussie goalkeeper Mat Ryan has promised to donate £263 for every save made in the Premier League over the weekend.
Thankyou so much to everyone that placed a bid & a huge Thankyou / congrats to the successful bidder – you have blown me away with your generosity and this was way beyond my expectations ! The money will go direct to the Red Cross bushfire appeal. Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vyVcA7NfGs
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 9, 2020
They too are joined by a host of tennis stars, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams, who have also pledged their support to the bushfire appeal.
While Aussie stars including Kylie Minogue, Chris Hemsworth and actresses Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman are among celebrities donating millions of dollars to help fight the deadly bushfires ravaging the country.
Last year I had the incredible opportunity of visiting some of the many beautiful places in my homeland for the first time.
Returning home to such devastation throughout much of the country is heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/5RWYZDQyBg— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) January 6, 2020
Singers Elton John and Pink have also pledged donations to help stop the blazes, as has Kylie Jenner, while actors Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe have also shown their support on social media.
We want to express our deep gratitude to the people in Australia who are fighting these devastating bushfires Our hearts are with everyone impacted especially those who have lost homes businesses and loved ones This is an immense tragedy for our home country #AustraliaBushfires pic.twitter.com/xcsPWSpDeS
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) January 3, 2020
