6-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday that he gifting $500,000 towards the rescue and care of wildlife captured in bushfires.
The Briton, who become outspoken on the environment and has adopted a vegan lifestyle, posted a clip on social media of a koala being faked to against a backdrop of smoke and flames.
The bushfires have left 26 people dead and murdered or injured an estimated one billion creatures.
“It saddens me deeply to understand that over 1 billion creatures in Australia died a painful death, no way out, not their fault,” commented that the Mercedes driver, who will start his bid for a record-equalling seventh title in Melbourne in March.
” It’s My love of animals is no key and I can not help but grieve to the defenseless creatures thought to have died so far, pushing certain species closer to extinction.”
The 35-year-old advocated his 14 million followers on Instagram, and 5.6 million on Twitter, to”join me in considering the impact we’re having on our planet”.
“Let’s work together to make small changes, and encourage our family and friends to do the same thing , as so we can help alter the direction we’re going in,” added Hamilton, who said he had been donating to Wires Wildlife Rescue, WWF Australia, and rural fire services.
Hamilton, with a house in Colorado and has posted pictures of himself snowboarding in the hills, did not define in the article whether he had made his contribution in U.S. dollars or Australian.
Mercedes couldn’t clarify but the BBC reported it Australian dollars, equal to U.S. $342,600.
Renault motorist Daniel Ricciardo stating he and has used social media to call for donations had contributed.
He said he raffling and would also be signing his race suit from the Australian Grand Prix of this year to raise funds.
Australian sports characters and global tennis players in the country for tournaments before the Australian Open have also increased funds in support of restoration and relief efforts.