PUBLIC donations to the Red Cross appeal have topped $50 million as hundreds of thousands of Australians – and the Queen - open their hearts and wallets to help Victoria's bushfire victims.
And the figure doesn't include significant corporate pledges, or the assistance being provided by governments.
But it is understood to include a private donation by Queen Elizabeth II, who was one of the first overseas heads of state to offer her condolences to fire victims.
According to Herald Sun, Buckingham Place confirmed the donation, but declined to indicate the amount as it had been given in the Queen’s capacity as a private citizen.
A Red Cross spokeswoman told The Weekly Times the appeal had received 257,762 donations totalling $50,024,870 as at 10am Thursday.
Many more millions of dollars have been pledged by companies, organisations and governments.
In a recent statement, Red Cross chief executive Robert Tickner said the response from the public had been “incredible, but the task ahead is huge so we still need people to donate''.
Toll free donations can be made on 1800 811 700, while online donations can be made at redcross.org.au.
Donations can also be mailed to GPO Box 2957, Melbourne, VIC 8060 (with an indication of which appeal or activity the donation should go to).
Mr Tickner said the Red Cross had registered more than 7000 people at relief centres across the state.
Volunteers at the State inquiry centre had also responded to more than 10,000 calls from people looking for family members, he said.