Photo: GettyLawyers for Celeste Barber and the New South Wales Rural Fire Service are expected to meet in a bid to unlock $A52 million ($NZ54.3m) raised by the comedian's bushfire appeal. RFS spokesman Ben Shepherd said the service wanted to distribute the money in line with Barber's wishes and both sides' lawyers would try to find a way. "But, as it stands, the RFS is the beneficiary and we can't donate money people gave us to other charities." The setback comes as Barber prepares to host the huge Fire Fight Australia bushfire relief concert in Sydney on Sunday. Profits from the event will go to the Red Cross' disaster relief and recovery fund, rural and regional fire services and the RSPCA's bushfire appeal.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 15, 2020 18:33 UTC