London Ambulance Service fundraising appeal to support Australian emergency services  

Australia is fighting one of its worst bushfire seasons, fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought.

At least 27 people have died since the fires began in September and many are missing.

Nearly 200 fires are still burning across the country, with every state and territory affected. 1,200 homes have been destroyed and millions of hectares of land scorched. It is estimated the many millions of animals have been killed. 

Australian emergency services are working tirelessly to put out the fires and keep people safe.

Hundreds of our paramedics and other staff are from Australia and have family and friends who live near the affected areas. 

To show support for our Australian staff and emergency service colleagues in Australia, we have set up a fundraising appeal. 

If you can afford to, staff, volunteers and members of the public are asked to make a donation. 

All donations will go direct to the Australia Red Cross who have deployed trained staff and volunteers to disaster-affected communities.

In more than 60 evacuation and recovery centres, their emergency teams have been welcoming people who have fled from the fires. They are helping to arrange emergency accommodation and supporting people to locate missing loved ones.

We would like to thank our Australian colleagues and recognise that this will be a very worrying time for you. 

You came to the UK to help us serve London and Londoners. Today we stand by you, as well as our Australian emergency service colleagues - paid and volunteers - who are fighting the fires and keeping people safe. 

Regards, 

Khadir Meer, Chief Operating Officer, London Ambulance Service 

Photo credit: NSW Rural Fire Service/AP