Elton John has just announced he will donate $1million AUD to the bush fire disaster relief fund.
The announcement of the donation, which is the equivalent of £522,700 was met with a standing ovation at Qudos Bank Arena, according to a journalist who was in attendance.
Elton John is currently performing at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney as part of the musician’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
“You should all be in awe of the work that the firefighters are doing,” Elton announced whilst on stage at the packed out event.
“There are people out there who have lost their lives trying to save homes, there are people who have lost their lives and their homes.”
“And last, is the plight of the animals and loss of their habitat that frankly, is on a biblical scale and heartbreaking.”
“Therefore tonight I will be pledging $1million.”
“To see what is happening here breaks my heart and so we have to come together and we have to fight and this is my bid towards it.”
“And to those who have lost their homes, god bless and hope that your lives will be repaired very soon”.
He then went on to play Your Song following the announcement.
Guests have already taken to social media to commend the ‘amazing moment’ that the Rocket Man musician pledged the staggering amount.
The official page for the Qudos Bank Arena has said “WHAT A LEGEND!!”
Elton is the latest in a string of celebrities that have pledged huge amounts to support the ongoing disaster that is Australia is currently battling.
Nicole Kidman, Pink and Hilary Duff are just a few of the well known faces that have pledged vast amounts towards battling the fires.
Fleabag actress and writer Phoebe Weller-Bridge has also pledged to auction her Golden Globes 2020 suit and donate the money towards the fire fighting efforts.
Australian comedian Celeste Barber recently launched a fundraiser which has already gathered over $20 million towards the relief efforts.
Elton John is just the second celebrity to pledge such a huge amount towards the efforts.
Actor and Australian national Chris Hemsworth took to instagram 9 hours ago and became the first celeb, who along with his family, will pledge $1million AUD towards helping the country.
Australia's fires rage on despite efforts to curtail the devastation across the country.
An estimated 500 million animals have perished, and the fires have already claimed the lives of 23 people and thousands of homes across the country.
Fans have been pressuring celebrities to chip in for the efforts, and yesterday Kylie Jenner faced backlash for her insensitivity over posting an image captioned “find your fire”.
The make-up star’s social media is demanding that she donate towards the efforts.
