Leading music festivals, events and artists – and even a north brewery – are playing their part by rallying together to aid the worldwide appeal to help bush fire devastated parts of Australia.
Thousands of pounds worth of prizes, including festival tickets, VIP passes, and travel and accommodation for events such as Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Heb Celt and the Edinburgh Fringe have been generously donated to the fundraising efforts, with all proceeds to be split between the Australian Red Cross and World Wildlife Federation.
The campaign has been organised by the team behind the Year of Scotland in Australia 2020 – the largest-ever programme of Scottish music and culture to be presented in the country – with some artists currently touring the country putting up prizes including a signed guitar.
Five-piece trad band Elephant Sessions are auctioning the music item, which has so far raised more than £690 for the recovery efforts.
Band member Mark Bruce said: “The Australian people have been so kind to us and it’s truly heartbreaking to see this beautiful country being so horrifically damaged by these fires.
“We hope that this small gesture can go towards helping in some way.”
Organisers of the Year of Scotland in Australia campaign have said they “simply had to do something” after artists were left “devastated” by the destruction.
Lisa Whytock said they have been “overwhelmed by the generosity”, with donations coming from all corners of the UK, Europe, Canada and the USA.
Heb Celt director Caroline Maclennan, meanwhile, said: “Everyone who has seen or read about the devastating effects of the bush fires will have been deeply moved by the trauma being experienced.
“While we are geographically remote from Australia, we have close family and cultural ties with the country and its people.
“The HebCelt board had no hesitation in offering our support to this international appeal and the response from the wider festival family across the world will provide much-needed funds to help towards the massive recovery effort.”
Tickets for the draw are currently on sale, with winners determined on February 1.
Meanwhile, Black Isle Brewery will launch a new beer this Thursday, with more than 60% of its cost going towards the Australian bush fire effort.
The brewery’s new Belgian-style Clementine Grisette, will be priced at £4.80 for a pint, with £3 going towards the appeal.
The money will be gathered and committed to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as the brewers seek to help in any way possible.
Members of the public are being encouraged to “come in, have a beer and make 2020 a year of unstoppable climate action”.
