Bushfires are consuming many parts of Australia and it is getting difficult to control them. Around 27 people have died so far and billions of animals have died, affecting the rich flora and fauna in Australia. The damage done to Australia’s ecosystem is difficult to reverse if not impossible. Many people from different walks of life and prominent people from various fields have come forward in helping the country cope with this disaster. One of them is the great bowler Shane Warne who has successfully raised over (Australian) $1 million for the cause, by putting his priced possession, baggy green cap in the auction.
Wild bushfires are not a new phenomenon. They happen every year, but this year due to climate change and extremely hot weather, they are creating way more damage than expected. One of the major causes of bushfires is flashes of lightning. In some small cases, it can also be caused accidentally or deliberately by humans.
Bushfires in Australia have been making the headlines since September 2019 and many disturbing images were shared in news media and social media of forests burning, and many animals dying and some animals begging for help. Also, many residential localities are being destroyed by bushfires. Residents are asked to move and some have lost their homes and means of livelihood too. Many people who have insurance have already claimed the same and many are planning to claim, while people who do not have insurance are worried about how they will rebuild their homes and restart the lives from the scratch.
The emotional, ecological, physical and financial losses due to the fires are enormous. In times of need, many people have come forward to help support the Australian government and various human and animal welfare organizations who are working tirelessly to put an end to this agony and help restore the lives of those affected.
On January 6, 2020, Australian legendary cricketer Shane Warne, put on a post on social media stating that his precious baggy green, in which he played 145 Tests for Australia and took 708 wickets is up for auction. And wished this initiative to fetch significant funds for the people in need.
Please bid here https://t.co/kZMhGkmcxs pic.twitter.com/ZhpeWQxqY7
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 6, 2020
The auction got tremendous response. They even extended the auction by 10 minutes to allow for the last-minute surge in bids. On January 10, 2020, the auction site announced that some bidder M.C. from Sydney has bought the cap in the auction by placing the highest bid of AUD 1,007,500 (or USD 695,175 or INR 4.93 Crore)
Earlier some people thought the bidder is another Australian player Michael Clarke. But later it was revealed the successful bidder is the Australian multinational bank-Commonwealth Bank and the initials M.C. stand for Matt Comyn, who is the CEO of the Commonwealth Bank.
Shane Warne was extremely happy with the bid and took to Twitter to thank the generous bidder and told that all the money will go directly to Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.
Thankyou so much to everyone that placed a bid & a huge Thankyou / congrats to the successful bidder – you have blown me away with your generosity and this was way beyond my expectations ! The money will go direct to the Red Cross bushfire appeal. Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vyVcA7NfGs
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 9, 2020
CEO Matt Comyn said that the Baggy Green cap would first be taken on a national tour to help raise additional funds for the bushfire victims. And finally, the cap will be put on permanent exhibition at the Bradman Museum in Bowral in New South Wales, Australia.
CommBank CEO Matt Comyn, as per the site cricket.com.au, expressed his feeling saying, “I am delighted that CBA has been able to secure Shane’s cherished Baggy Green cap. This has not only raised another $1 million for bushfire relief, but it will also enable us to raise further funds for the bushfire appeal as the cap commences a fundraising tour across the country before retiring as a permanent exhibit at the Bradman Museum in Bowral to be enjoyed by all Australians and cricket fans. I want to thank and commend Shane for giving up one of his most cherished possessions for such an important cause. He has demonstrated the same Aussie spirit we are seeing across the country with acts of generosity and dedication throughout this disaster as communities rally to support each other.”
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