Beyonce’s foundation donates $2,500,000 to LA fire relief

8 hours ago 4

Beyonce is donating $2.5million (£2.1m) to help victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.

The singer, 43, announced the money will be given to the LA Fire Relief Fund through her BeyGOOD Foundation.

The fires, which have been burning since January 7, have destroyed an estimated 10,000 buildings including affluent suburbs, churches, Hollywood film locations and a school whose alumni include Will.i.am and Forest Whitaker.

The number of confirmed deaths has risen to 24 people at time of writing.

Officials previously said 11 people had died, but that they expected it to rise as cadaver dogs search through decimated areas that were previously unsearchable.

More people remain missing, and authorities have established a centre where people can report their loved ones to seek updates.

A message posted on Beyonce’s charity’s Instagram page stated: ‘Los Angeles we stand with you. BeyGOOD is taking action by announcing the LA Fire Relief Fund with a donation of 2.5 million dollars.

‘The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires.’

Other major corporations in the entertainment industry have also pledged money for fire relief, including the Walt Disney Company which pledged $15m (£12.3m) to help rebuild communities effected by the fires.

Paramount and Fox Corp. donated $1m (£822k) to the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Many celebrities have been spotted helping with relief efforts, including Jennifer Garner who recently held back tears as she emotionally revealed to MSNBC that her friend ‘did not get out in time’ during the fires.

The Daredevil actress, 52, was lending support to World Central Kitchen (WCK) a not-for-profit organisation that provides food relief, when she was caught by MSNBC for a quick interview with Katy Tur.

Other donations have been pledged by the likes of Apple TV Plus as well as actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who confirmed she is safe.

The Halloween icon said she and her family would send $1million (£812,000) to a ‘fund of support’ for anyone impacted.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were also seen meeting with victims of the flames.

Meghan’s new show on Netflix will be delayed due to the impact of the wildfires in California, according to the streaming giant.

With Love, an eight-part series, was due to premiere on Wednesday but will now come out on March 4.

A recently released trailer shows the Duchess of Sussex meeting friends and cooking food at the home in Montecito which she shares with her husband Prince Harry and is among those facing evacuation orders due to the rapidly spreading fires.

In a statement, she said: ‘I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California.’

Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal and Sir Anthony Hopkins are among the celebrities to have lost their homes in the devastating wildfires raging across Los Angeles.

This has been described as the most destructive fire in the city’s history.

Beyonce’s enormous donation comes in the wake of news that she is reportedly set to announce her upcoming stadium tour after pushing the news back amid her husband Jay-Z’s rape lawsuit.

In early December, Beyonce’s husband Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, was accused of raping a teenager.

The rapper has denied accusations he raped a 13-year-old girl at the MTV Music Awards in 2000 along with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, as soon as allegations broke on December 8.

It has now been reported that Beyonce delayed her tour announcement for a ‘couple’ of weeks, but that the news will be out soon.

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