Unprecedented bushfires are burning in Australia, prompting overwhelming support from the entire CrossFit Community.
The bushfire crisis by the numbers:
- Thousands of homes have been destroyed and the fires have burned through a landmass larger than the size of the Netherlands or Belgium.
- More than 20 people have been killed–including several firefighters–and it’s estimated 500 million animals have also been burned to death.
- Thousands of firefighters are currently battling fires with 3000 (and counting) of the country’s defense force deployed into the fire zones.
- Over the weekend, dozens of fires remained at an emergency level or “watch and act” with residents in several towns told it’s too late to leave, having to stay and defend their own properties.
The hard part is temperatures are soaring to 40 degrees celsius (104 degrees fahrenheit) with high winds; there is little rain or relief in sight.
A clean sweep of the top Australian CrossFitters have issued a call to arms to assist in both the firefighting and recovery effort.
- Fittest Woman on Earth Tia Clair Toomey wrote: “I’m stumped for words as I read all the tragedy that is happening back home in Australia. There is just TOO MUCH sadness for the people and animals affected.” James Newbury has posted the same heartbreaking image of a koala clinging to a firefighter.
- Kara Saunders said: “Land, homes and LIVES have been lost and we’re not even close to being in the clear. Please help however you can.”
- Games qualifier Khan Porter also described the devastation: “There has never been a fire in recorded history as devastating as what we are in the midst of right now.”
Affiliates are also doing their part with boxes organising fundraising efforts and collection points for clothes and food donations.
Surveying social media there’s almost too many for us to mention, but a vast array are being advertised on the Australian CrossFitters Facebook page.
Several boxes in one state have rallied together encouraging members to complete #BurpeesForBushFires and donate cash for their efforts.
How you can help:
- Donations are being accepted by several state-based fire brigades and charities.
- To give directly to the firefighting effort
- NSW Rural Fire Service and the Country Fire Association, Victoria
- You can also donate directly to the families who’ve lost a loved one in the firefighting effort.
- WIRES is taking donations to assist with the recovery and rescue of injured wildlife.
- To help the thousands who’ve left homeless best to give directly to the following charities.
The above charities have detailed that giving just $35USD can provide essentials for a family who’ve been displaced from their homes in the midst of the ongoing disaster.
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