Afterpay, Red Cross Team To Collect Donations For Australia Fires

Afterpay and the Red Cross are looking for money donations to help Australia amid the bushfire crisis currently ravaging the country.

Based in Australia, Afterpay aims to transform the way people pay for goods and services by allowing customers to pay in multiple installments. The company seeks to access its wide base of customers to raise a large amount of money for the cause, which would go directly toward support for businesses, communities and volunteers in Australia affected by the fires. Afterpay itself is donating $200,000 AUD ($138,750.86 USD) to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, according to a press release. Those interested in donating can visit www.redcross.com.au/afterpay.

Afterpay is also encouraging its merchant partners to promote the donation page to customers around the world. Steve Madden, along with several other retailers, have indicated support for the campaign.

Red Cross Acting CEO Noel Clement said he welcomed the partnership with Afterpay, saying that the fundraiser would help “in evacuation centers and recovery programs. It also covers emergency grants to people who have lost homes in the recent bushfires.”

Afterpay CEO Anthony Eisen said he knew from personal experience that Australians would always band together to help one another in the event of a disaster. He extended condolences to those affected by the fires, and said the company was excited to have its 6.6 million customers all working together for a solution.

The fires in Australia have become a worldwide story since they started last September, ravaging their way through more than 2,000 homes, and killing at least 25 people and hundreds of millions of animals.

Fundraisers have been enacted worldwide, including one by Australian Comedian Celeste Barber, raising more than $30 million AUD. Other fundraisers by big businesses and U.S. stars like Pink, Kylie Minogue and Nicole Kidman have raised significant amounts.