Fed: Kidman, Crowe and Urban join Nine's telethon

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2009
Fed: Kidman, Crowe and Urban join Nine's telethon

SYDNEY, Feb 12 AAP - Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have thrown their
support behind the Nine Network's national telethon to help raise money for Victorian
bushfire victims.

The A-listers will be among more than 150 leading politicians, musicians, actors and
sports stars to feature in Australia Unites - The Victorian Bushfire Appeal, which will
air on the Nine Network on Thursday from 7.30pm until midnight.

Nine expects to help raise millions of dollars, with funds to go to the Red Cross Bush
Fire Appeal, which has already raised about $50 million through donations from individuals
and companies.

Other big name celebrities involved in the telethon include model Miranda Kerr and
her boyfriend Hollywood star Orlando Bloom and Australian actors Hugh Jackman, Anthony
La Paglia, Rachel Griffiths and Simon Baker.

Politicians include Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Victorian Premier John Brumby.

The Australian cricket team, Shane Warne, radio stars Hamish and Andy, Underbelly stars
Kate Ritchie and Roy Billing have also joined the cause.

Olympians Cathy Freeman, Liesel Jones and Grant Hackett will also join AFL and rugby
league players to represent sports stars.

The Living End, Jessica Mauboy, Jimmy Barnes, Lee Kernaghan, Shannon Noll, Kate Ceberano,
and John Williamson, will be among many performers.

Hosted by Eddie McGuire out of Nine's Melbourne studios, the telethon will feature
personalities Lisa Wilkinson, Karl Stefanovic, Tracy Grimshaw and Leila McKinnon reporting
from fire-ravaged areas.

Nine chief executive David Gyngell said he had been blown away by the support.

"The sports and entertainment industries have a fine tradition of pulling together
when needed, but the level of support for Australia Unites is unprecedented and we thank
everyone for their involvement," Mr Gyngell said.

AAP kaf/jlw/

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC TELETHON

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