Magda Szubanski launches counter campaign against Israel Folau for sick kids and LGBTQI group

‘Kids with cancer are being used as drawcards’: Magda Szubanski is slammed for launching ‘perverse’ fundraiser to compete with Israel Folau’s campaign

  • Magda Szubanski promoted a counter GoFundMe appeal against Israel Folau
  • She hopes to raise $500,000 for children with cancer and an LGBTQI group 
  • Critics claim her fundraiser is ‘perverse’ and uses sick children as ‘drawcards’

Magda Szubanski promoted a GoFundMe appeal countering Israel Folau’s 

A comedian’s attempt to launch a counter campaign against Israel Folau has been branded ‘perverse’ after she said the money raised would support sick children.

Magda Szubanski promoted a GoFundMe appeal hosted by Fundraising For Love which hopes to raise $500,000 to help children who are ‘in the fight of their lives’.

Former rugby star Israel Folau used the exact same line when he pleaded with Australians to financially back his legal battle with Rugby Australia.

He said his decision to challenge the sport for unfair dismissal over a meme he posted on Instagram that was branded homophobic and a breach of his contract would be costly and ‘the fight of my life’.   

Szubanski – a gay rights activist herself – said there are ‘too many in Australia in the ‘fight of their lives’ – doing their best to survive, and not seeking the chance to put others down.’

Szubanski launched the appeal alongside a diverse group of 'Christians, Jews, Muslims, athiests, gay and straight people'

Szubanski launched the appeal alongside a diverse group of ‘Christians, Jews, Muslims, athiests, gay and straight people’ 

Israel Folau (pictured with wife Maria) had his GoFundMe page taken down on Monday for 'discrimination'

Israel Folau (pictured with wife Maria) had his GoFundMe page taken down on Monday for ‘discrimination’ 

Of the money raised, 90 per cent will go to the Children’s Cancer Foundation, which distributes grants for family support, research and patient care.

The remaining 10 per cent will be given to Twenty10, which provides services, including health, legal and housing assistance, to people of diverse sexualities and genders identities.

But Szubanski has been criticised on social media for using young cancer patients as ‘drawcards’ in her attempt to pull donors away from Folau’s campaign.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford described her actions as ‘perverse’. 

Szubanski has been criticised on social media for using young cancer patients as 'drawcards' in her attempt to pull donors away from Folau's campaign

Szubanski has been criticised on social media for using young cancer patients as ‘drawcards’ in her attempt to pull donors away from Folau’s campaign

‘It’s perverse that once again as we saw at the weekend kids with cancer are being used as drawcards in this debate over Folau,’ he said.

‘People can give to both surely? Unsure why it has to become a competition. Is the subtext people who support Folau don’t care about kids with cancer? Weird.’ 

Others said Szubanski’s fundraiser should be shutdown because it is no more than ‘left luvvies trying to feel good about themselves because they don’t feel accepted in mainstream society.’

‘They’re angry because their little world is not the king of all and their opinion is not the opinion of mainstream society,’ one man wrote. 

Folau’s initial appeal was removed by GoFundMe for breaching its terms of service, but had amassed more than $760,000 in six days.

Australian Christian Lobby managing director Martyn Iles (left with Folau) confirmed the organisation will kick off a new fund with a $100,000 donation as earlier as Tuesday.

Australian Christian Lobby managing director Martyn Iles (left with Folau) confirmed the organisation will kick off a new fund with a $100,000 donation as earlier as Tuesday.

The Australian Christian Lobby opened its own hosting platform, where in 24 hours it has already raised more than $1.6million - half of the $3million goal

The Australian Christian Lobby opened its own hosting platform, where in 24 hours it has already raised more than $1.6million – half of the $3million goal

In retaliation, the Australian Christian Lobby opened its own hosting platform, where in 24 hours it has already raised more than $1.6million – half of the $3million goal.  

‘Would there even be a GoFundMe page for cancer kids if it wasn’t for Folau?,’ one supporter asked.

‘This is very off’.

Szubanski launched the appeal alongside a diverse group of ‘Christians, Jews, Muslims, athiests, gay and straight people’.

It has already collected more than $100,000 in donations in 14 hours. 

Szubanski - a gay rights activist herself - said there are 'too many in Australia in the 'fight of their lives' - doing their best to survive, and not seeking the chance to put others down'

Szubanski – a gay rights activist herself – said there are ‘too many in Australia in the ‘fight of their lives’ – doing their best to survive, and not seeking the chance to put others down’

Szubanski's fundraiser has already collected more than $100,000 in donations in 14 hours

Szubanski’s fundraiser has already collected more than $100,000 in donations in 14 hours



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