GoFundMe for koalas injured in destructive bushfires becomes the nation’s most successful ever fundraiser, with donors from NINETY countries
- Port Macquarie Koala Hospital had goal of $25,000 and received $1,826,760
- The GoFundMe page has become Australia’s most successful fundraiser
- Donations have come in from 90 countries – Australia, US, UK, NZ, Germany
A GoFundMe page for koalas injured during horrific bushfires has raised close to $2million in less than three weeks and is now Australia’s most successful fundraiser.
The fundraiser for The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has received an overwhelming amount of funds and ‘good wishes’ from the Australian and international community.
Ninety countries have donated to the donation drive, which was set up to help the hospital care for injured animals in the country’s catastrophic bushfires.
The fundraiser for The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has received an overwhelming amount of funds (Koala being treated by the hospital)
Volunteer from the Koala Hospital treats a Koala named Paul for burns he sustained from the fires
In less than three weeks with an initial target of $25,000, the goal has been surpassed to an eye-watering $1,824,980 as of November 30 (Female koala recovering from burns in the hospital)
A koala named Sharni from Crowdy Bay National Park is treated at The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
In less than three weeks with an initial target of $25,000, the goal has been surpassed to an eye-watering $1,826,760 as of November 30.
A spokeswoman for GoFundMe told 10daily the highest number of donors comes from Australia, followed by the US, the UK, New Zealand, Germany and Canada.
‘The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has been overwhelmed by the kindness, good wishes and support from the Australian and international community for the wildlife icon, the koala,’ a hospital worker wrote on the page.
‘The initial target of $25,000 has well and truly been exceeded.’
A koala named Kate (pictured) from Bellangry State Forest is treated for burns from the bushfires
Sheila Bailey (right) tends to an injured koala at The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
The highest number of donors comes from Australia, followed by the US, the UK, New Zealand, Germany and Canada
A nurse looking after an injured koala who suffered injuries during the Port Macquarie area bushfires
The hospital is currently looking after injured koalas which suffered horrific injuries through the damaging bushfires in the Port Macquarie area.
They have since cared for 31 koalas by rehydrating them, examining them for burns and treating their injuries.
With the overwhelming windfall, the hospital announced they could now provide more drinking stations around NSW with other wildlife organisations in fire affected regions.
Two are being built for dispatch to the northern rivers fire area next week.
The hospital is also purchasing a water carrying vehicle with fire fighting capabilities to replenish the drinking stations with water as needed.
As many as 350 koalas have perished with approximately 75% of the fireground footprint being prime koala habitat, and the hospital intends to build a facility to help ensure the remaining animals survive and breed.
The GoFundMe page can be found here.
With the overwhelming money, the hospital announced they could now provide more drinking stations around NSW (Koala recovering from burns)
A koala named Frizzle from Taree is treated for burns at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
Clinical Director Cheyne Flanagan (pictured) treats a koala named Sharni for burns