The aim of the fundraiser was to provide support to wildlife carers who are paying out of their own pocket to look after injured and homeless animals.
Mick said he and Julie-Anne also planned to hire a van and donate the money and supplies directly to the carers.
“We’re going to get the food, bandages and syringes that are needed and deliver them all the way to these people,” he said. ”
There will be no middleman or administration costs… we’re making sure to follow it through all the way to the end.
“We’re promising that 100 per cent of it is going to the people.
“We don’t look at ourselves as celebrities, but we certainly want to use this 10 seconds of fame to try and push for a good cause.”
Kyabram Fauna Park general manager Lachlan Gordon said wildlife shelters and carers were being inundated with sick, injured and orphaned animals as a result of the bushfires — and with little funding and supplies available.
“We’ve found that a lot of wildlife organisations are raising millions upon millions of dollars but a lot of them are based in NSW and Queensland. There isn’t much going to Victoria,” he said.
“Around 70 per cent of the animals being rescued from these bushfires will end up with wildlife carers. Not a lot of people realise that they don’t receive funding, so they rehabilitate and release these animals off their own back.”
Mr Gordon said it was great to see those with a public platform such as Julie-Anne and Mick using it for the betterment of the environment.
“To have a celebrity presence at the Fauna Park and help fight the cause is really special for us,” he said.
“They’ve been able to gain a lot of traction through their various networks. We're hoping it will generate support, if not for today, then for the coming weeks.”
You can also donate at www.gofundme.com/f/help-australian-wildlife-shelterscarers
