Cornwall woman raises money for koalas in Australia as horror wildfires continue

A woman from Cornwall who is raising money for koalas injured in Australia's wildfires has raised more than £2,000 in 48 hours.

Emma Wright, who lives in Newquay, set up an online fundraiser after reading about the fires and reached her £800 target in less than 24 hours.

She decided to try and raise double that and has already got more than £2,000.

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The fires began in September 2019 and have killed at least 24 people so far. Credit: ITV News

Emma wanted to help the koalas affected by the wildfires after watching TV coverage over the weekend. She then adopted her own from the Koala Hospital in New South Wales.

Talking about the animal, called Anwen, she said: "She was rescued from the fires, but is doing really well now. But what for her future when this is over?"

She read about the hospital's appeal to raise money for koala food trees and rallied the people of Cornwall together to donate the vital funds needed.

After smashing her original target in less than one day, Emma is now hoping to raise double the original amount so the hospital can buy 200 trees for Anwen and the many other koalas needing urgent aid.

To visit Emma's fundraising page, click here.