Leonardo Di Caprio pledges one million dollars after ‘devastating’ LA fires
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Hollywood star Leonardo Di Caprio is donating one million dollars (£819,000) to support “urgent needs and post-fire recovery efforts” in the wake of the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires. The Oscar-winning actor and environmentalist made a pledge in collaboration with his organisation Re:wild and its rapid response program, after at least 25 people were killed and thousands of homes destroyed in the Californian disaster.
“The Los Angeles wildfires are devastating our city,” Di Caprio wrote on his Instagram story. The 50-year-old said the funds will support “urgent needs and post fire recovery efforts” with initial aid immediately benefitting organisations including the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation and the World Central Kitchen.
It will also offer “organisations on the frontlines providing much-needed resources to our first responders and firefighters, and the people, animals and communities who need it most”. The actor said his environmental conservation organisation was “uniquely positioned to respond to environmental disasters and emergencies” having co-founded it with a group of conservation scientists.
The donation from Di Caprio will also benefit the California Community Foundation’s wildlife recovery fund, which also saw a substantial pledge from Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria and her foundation this week. The actress offered one million dollars (£819,000) to the organisation alongside the Latino Community Foundation (LCF), which she earmarked from a part of the 50 million dollar (£41 million) Courage and Civility Award she received from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in March.
