Cadbury Australia has pledged to donate proceeds from their Caramello Koala, Freddo Frog, and Furry Friends chocolates to help wildlife affected by the bushfires. 

On Friday, the confectionery company announced its “Freddo and Friends for Bushfire Relief” initiative on Instagram with an image of the characters Caramello Koala and Freddo Frog holding hands.

“To help Freddo and his friends, 100 per cent of our proceeds from Cadbury Freddo, Caramello Koala and Furry Friends products sold over the next seven days will help save wildlife impacted by the devastating bushfires,” the caption reads.

The company guaranteed that a minimum of $500,000 (£264,000) will be donated to support wildlife rescue, treatment, and habitat restoration projects. 

Zoos Victoria, Taronga Zoo Sydney, and Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park were specifically named as organisations that would receive funds. 

Cadbury Australia also said it would donate food supplies to Foodbank Australia and emergency services personnel. 

“Our hearts go out to all that have been affected by the devastating bushfires,” the company said in a statement.

“The impact on families, homes and the environment is truly devastating. Like all that have been affected, our precious and much-loved native wildlife has suffered incredibly.”

Since announcing its initiative, Cadbury Australia has received hundreds of comments from its followers on Instagram, praising the company for its help. 

“Legends, don’t need a excuse to buy your chocolate but this gives me another reason to stock up! Great work Cadbury,” one person wrote.

Another added: “I will say again OMG. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You guys rock.”

So far, the fires have claimed 24 lives and destroyed more than 1,500 homes, ravaging through more than four million hectares of land.

Ecologists at the University of Sydney have also estimated that around 480m animals had been killed in the wildfires, including 8,000 koalas.

Cadbury joins a long list of companies and celebrities that have helped raise funds for the relief effort in Australia, including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Kylie Jenner, Chris Hemsworth, Nicole Kidman and Pink.

Read More