Click Crew raise $300k AUD as streamers unite for Australian fire crisis

With Australia suffering in the midst of the country’s most disastrous bushfire season ever, streamers, content creators, players, and developers from around the world have united to raise millions to try and help those affected by the devastating effects of the disaster.

16 million acres of land have been scorched by the wildfires, which have raged since October 2019, killing 25 people as they spread across the country, with a “mega blaze” expected later this week following reports that rainfall on January 6 had helped ease conditions and allow military aid to reach those in areas most severely affected.

People across the world have rallied to support those in Australia who have lost everything to the raging fire, and now streamers and content creators are using their platform to raise awareness, and much-needed funds to help all those in need, with Australian streaming group The Click Crew leading the way in the charitable drive.

The Click Crew raise $300,000

One of the biggest charitable efforts so far saw Kathleen ‘Loserfruit’ Belsten, Nathan ‘Crayator’ Ryan, and Fasffy stream non-stop for 36 hours, as they raised hundreds of thousands for those in need, and to support those who are helping rescue and attempting to put the fires out.

• Read more: Dakotaz helps Muselk raise huge amount for Australia fires

The marathon stream was full of crazy moments, as viewers donated to see the trio and their guests take part in challenges as they hit donation goals, with Loserfruit and Fasffy sharing a kiss, and even Crayator and Lannon ‘Lazarbeam’ Eacott giving each other a smooch when they hit the astounding $250,000 AUD mark.

In the end, the squad were able to raise an incredible $318,511 AUD ($220,000 USD) for the relief efforts, with Loserfruit confirming that the money would be split into three equal parts, with $106,170 going to volunteer firefighters, to shelter those who have been evacuated who will need help rebuilding their homes, and to those braving the fires to help save all the Australian wildlife who have had their habitats destroyed.

 Misfits release special merch

YouTube collective Misfits have also gone above and beyond, releasing a special “Scuffed Fire and Rescue” long sleeve, with all profits made from the sale of the shirt going directly to the “brave souls combating the devastating fires currently destroying our home.”

All of the money will go directly to Gamer Aid Austalia, who will help distribute it to firefighters from across the country who are attempting to seize control of the raging bushfires.

Pokimane, Dr Lupo, and more call fans to arms

Offline TV member Imane ‘Pokimane’ Anys, who is currently the largest female streamer on Twitch, used her incredible popularity to call her fanbase to action, asking her viewers to donate to help the crisis, and promising to follow back some of those who provided receipts of their financial help in a bid to encourage her viewers to lend a hand.

Elsewhere, Ben ‘DrLupo’ Lupo hosted The Click Crew’s stream on his channel, which has almost four million followers, in an attempt to get more eyes on it and in turn, raise more money. Brett ‘Dokataz’ Hoffman threw his weight behind The Click Crew too, sending $20,000 in a massive donation to help the trio reach the fundraising goal.

Top Clik Crew stream donators revealed

While plenty of streamers helped to make people aware of what was going on with the Click Crew’s efforts, some even went the further mile by digging into their pockets and helping to raise funds.

• Read more: Overwatch players ask Blizzard to make charity skins for Australia fires

The biggest donators of the lot – which Brett ‘Dakotaz’ Hoffman helped lead with his $21,584 AUD donation – were revealed shortly after the broadcast, with the top 100 being named and written down on a map of Australia. Dakotaz got pride of place in the middle but folks like Felix ‘xQc’ Lengyel, TrainwrecksTV, and Vikkstar also got a healthy mention.

Fans ask game developers for help

The Overwatch community requested Blizzard make charity skins for Australian heroes Junkrat and Roadhog to raise money in a similar fashion to the Pink Ribbon skin.

Rainbow 6 fans have asked Ubisoft to do the same for Aussie operators Mozzie and Gridlock. The thread on Reddit has reached almost 1,000 upvotes, with users pointing out that in Mozzie’s operator story, he often helped fight fires in his own backyard. 

Similar threads have popped up on the Fortnite subreddit, skyrocketing to the top with requests of kangaroo, koala, or firefighter-themed skins to help raise money.

Over 200 fires are active across the country, with 136 of those within the state of New South Wales alone. Thousands of people have been displaced by the fires, with over 1,500 structures burned down by the blaze.

In this time of crisis, the global community has united to help those in need get back on their feet. If you’d like to help people affected by the disasters, you can donate through the Australian Red Cross or The Salvation Army.