F1 champion Hamilton donates $500,000 to Australian wildlife rescue

[webfact]

F1 champion Hamilton donates $500,000 to Australian wildlife rescue

 

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - November 28, 2019 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton arrives ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Six-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday he was donating $500,000 (382,819 pounds) towards the rescue and care of wildlife caught in bushfires ravaging southeast Australia.

 

The Briton, who has adopted a vegan lifestyle and become outspoken on the environment, posted a clip on social media of a scorched koala being tended to against a backdrop of smoke and flames.

 

The bushfires have left 26 people dead and killed or injured an estimated one billion animals.

 

"It saddens me deeply to know that over 1 billion animals in Australia died a painful death, no way out, not their fault," commented the Mercedes driver, who will start his bid for a record-equalling seventh title in Melbourne in March.

 

"My love of animals is no secret and I can't help but grieve for the defenceless animals thought to have died so far, pushing certain species closer to extinction."

 

The 35-year-old urged his 14 million followers on Instagram, and 5.6 million on Twitter, to "join me in thinking about the impact we are having on our planet".

 

"Let's work together to make small changes, and encourage our family and friends to do the same, so we can help shift the direction we’re going in," added Hamilton, who said he was donating to Wires Wildlife Rescue, WWF Australia and rural fire services.

 

Hamilton, who has a home in Colorado and has posted pictures of himself snowboarding in the mountains, did not specify in the post whether he had made his donation in U.S. dollars or Australian but Mercedes confirmed it was the former.

 

Renault's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo has also used social media to call for donations and saying he had contributed.

 

He said he would also be signing and raffling his racesuit from this year's Australian Grand Prix to raise more funds.

 

Other Australian sports figures and international tennis players in the country for tournaments ahead of the Australian Open have also raised funds in support of relief and recovery efforts.

 

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge and Ed Osmond)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-10

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[Cricky]

Wow, that's a lot of money.

 

He was fined some time back by the Victorian Police for a driving offence.

I reckon they should return the money and demerit points (if any) for this decent act by Lewis.

 

[dinsdale]

Why doesn't he just ask god to put all the fires out.

[JRG23]

If he has so much money why does he dress like a slob. At least get a t-shirt without holes!!

[smutcakes]

Good on him.

[CGW]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

"join me in thinking about the impact we are having on our planet".

Just tried that and came to the conclusion that if i "join" you one of the first things that need to be banned is motor racing and private jets!

Why don't these people just keep their mouths shut!

[Scouse123]

4 minutes ago, CGW said:

Just tried that and came to the conclusion that if i "join" you one of the first things that need to be banned is motor racing and private jets!

Why don't these people just keep their mouths shut!

 

I agree completely,

 

Since this was pointed out recently, he has said he is selling his private jet!

 

He didn't mention the subject of motor racing!

 

Ricky Gervais got it right recently at the US awards when he said to the jumped up Hollywood set,  "Just come up and collect your award, thank your God and your manager and F... Off, Don't come up and let us know your climate change or political views because the general public are not f...ing interested ". or words to that effect.

[Sujo]

21 minutes ago, CGW said:

Just tried that and came to the conclusion that if i "join" you one of the first things that need to be banned is motor racing and private jets!

Why don't these people just keep their mouths shut!

So he is not allowed an opinion and to donate. How sad.

[steven100]

if he's such a rich guy why does he dress like someone from Khaosan road 

[steven100]

I see that ' Twiggy ' Forrester ... mining billionaire donated AUD $70 Million.

Gina Rinehart should step up and do the same ......   

[CGW]

29 minutes ago, Sujo said:

So he is not allowed an opinion and to donate. How sad.

? off coarse he is allowed an opinion! who is denying that? why do you find it necessary to stick up for someone who is obviously being utterly two faced, he can do as he likes but the mere mortals have to make sacrifices? Find another cause, theirs plenty available! ???? 

[Mick501]

35 minutes ago, Sujo said:

So he is not allowed an opinion and to donate. How sad.

Don't think it's just a tad hypocritical?

 

and whilst the cash is appreciated he spends more than that on nose rings.   And the donation is contingent on having to listen to his hypocritical drivel.   Unconditional donations are appreciated so much more.

[Mick501]

21 minutes ago, steven100 said:

I see that ' Twiggy ' Forrester ... mining billionaire donated AUD $70 Million.

Gina Rinehart should step up and do the same ......   

Gina released a statement earlier to the effect she would be donating money towards the root causes of the issue, and distinguished these from the stampede to blame climate change.

[Sujo]

4 minutes ago, CGW said:

? off coarse he is allowed an opinion! who is denying that? why do you find it necessary to stick up for someone who is obviously being utterly two faced, he can do as he likes but the mere mortals have to make sacrifices? Find another cause, theirs plenty available! ???? 

Because its a cause that he likes. Why denigrate him for helping.

 

Nothing 2 faced about it. People can drive cars and still lobby govts to find ways to make them more climate friendly. Im happy to fly but would prefer it if planes had a more eco friendly impact.

 

If i had the platform he did i would like to think i would do the same, and with his social media following more to come.

 

Nothing but good can come from what he did.

[Sujo]

3 minutes ago, Mick501 said:

Don't think it's just a tad hypocritical?

 

and whilst the cash is appreciated he spends more than that on nose rings.   And the donation is contingent on having to listen to his hypocritical drivel.   Unconditional donations are appreciated so much more.

I dont think the animals he is donating to help can hear him.

[Sujo]

3 minutes ago, Mick501 said:

Gina released a statement earlier to the effect she would be donating money towards the root causes of the issue, and distinguished these from the stampede to blame climate change.

Better tell the authorities they are wrong.

 

https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/shane-fitzsimmons-dismisses-barnaby-joyces-claims-bushfires-caused-by-green-caveats-c-637354

[Mick501]

7 minutes ago, Sujo said:

I dont think the animals he is donating to help can hear him.

This may come as a surprise, but the animals don't actually have bank accounts in Australia.  The people that have to listen to this rubbish are flesh and blood human beings.

[GreasyFingers]

50 minutes ago, Sujo said:

So he is not allowed an opinion and to donate. How sad.

It is good that he donates, but are animals really more important than the firefighters that have died. Strange mentality.

[Mick501]

9 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Better tell the authorities they are wrong.

 

https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/shane-fitzsimmons-dismisses-barnaby-joyces-claims-bushfires-caused-by-green-caveats-c-637354

He is a fireman.  Other fireman say different.  There is an extensive documented history of bushfires that were worse dating back to 1851.  The only actual science on the subject says that fuel load is the only factor over which there is any control.

 

had they spent a fraction of the 80 odd billion cost to achieve emissions reduction targets on the reduction of fuel loads, it would have made a significant difference to the intensity of the current fires.

[CGW]

8 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Because its a cause that he likes. Why denigrate him for helping.

I guess as long as people like yourself find his opinion relevant and worthy of print he may as well carry on with his 2 faced, hypocritical, artificial, insincere, mealy mouthed baloney, personally I think he should do this "job", scurry off the bank with his money, live in a tax free domicile and continue to make contributions to charities that he can well afford, without feeling the need to inform all what a kind and caring soul he is! 

[ianezy0]

36 minutes ago, CGW said:

I guess as long as people like yourself find his opinion relevant and worthy of print he may as well carry on with his 2 faced, hypocritical, artificial, insincere, mealy mouthed baloney, personally I think he should do this "job", scurry off the bank with his money, live in a tax free domicile and continue to make contributions to charities that he can well afford, without feeling the need to inform all what a kind and caring soul he is! 

Idiot

[ratcatcher]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

if he's such a rich guy why does he dress like someone from Khaosan road 

Because he can. 

[billd766]

1 hour ago, CGW said:

I guess as long as people like yourself find his opinion relevant and worthy of print he may as well carry on with his 2 faced, hypocritical, artificial, insincere, mealy mouthed baloney, personally I think he should do this "job", scurry off the bank with his money, live in a tax free domicile and continue to make contributions to charities that he can well afford, without feeling the need to inform all what a kind and caring soul he is! 

While people like you just moan and whine.

 

How much have you donated?

[billd766]

14 minutes ago, ratcatcher said:

Because he can. 

Perhaps he is quite happy to dress like that.

[CGW]

12 minutes ago, billd766 said:

How much have you donated?

Zero, they can use the kitty that they reserve for wars and politicians expenses!

[CGW]

14 minutes ago, billd766 said:

While people like you just moan and whine.

Clarify, what am I "moan & whine" about, or are you just having a dig? ???? 

[a10ams]

Great gesture Lewis.

[steven100]

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

While people like you just moan and whine.

lol ....   that's about 99% of TV farang ...  

[Orton Rd]

Does he know about 85% of the fires were started deliberately or accidentally and nowt to do with climate change

[saengd]

3 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

Does he know about 85% of the fires were started deliberately or accidentally and nowt to do with climate change

So, the damage is still there and needs dealing with, regardless of the cause, how much did you donate?