Comedian Celeste Barber raises more than $22 millions to fight Australia wildfires

Australian comedienne, Celeste Barber has become an unexpected heroine down under for her extraordinary fundraising efforts during the devastating wildfires.

The 37-year-old performer has raised $37 million ($25,679,400 USD) in just five days. A tired and emotional Barber announced on Instagram on Monday that she is asking fans for more donations and hopes to top $40 million.

“I think it’s just hit me,” she told her followers. “It’s so much money … You have all donated. It’s incredible and I’ve looked through a lot of the donations. It’s $10, $10, $20, $35 … I was just lying in bed with my kids and husband … It’s so much money. They need so much. “I don’t want to keep asking you guys, but I’m gonna keep asking. Thanks. Aww, thanks, f–k!” she concluded. 

Barber received close to a million donations in just five days, after sharing her campaign on Facebook with her followers on Thursday.

The appeal has been shared by celebs including Natalie Portman, Jonathan Van Ness and Lizzo, who is currently on tour in Australia. According to her Facebook, the money will be given to The Trustee for NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund.