In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that wreaked havoc in Maui, many athletes and celebrities have stepped up to lend a helping hand.
Among them, Bellator MMA star Ilima-Lei Macfarlane has made an incredible impact, raising over $2 million on Instagram for the cause.
MMA Star Ilima-Lei Macfarlane has stepped up in a huge way in the wake of the devastating wildfires in Maui! https://t.co/7TOb0J0doe
— TMZ (@TMZ) September 3, 2023
The devastating wildfires in Maui have left the community in shock and despair.
With at least 115 lives lost and countless homes destroyed, the survivors are left battling with immeasurable loss.
“We have hit the $2.6 million mark and this is just on Instagram alone,” Macfarlane said.
“The beautiful thing that I love so much about this fundraiser is that it wasn’t big corporations or big huge donors, it was literally people.”
Macfarlane expresses her gratitude to several celebrities for supporting her fundraising campaign.
Personalities such as Bretman Rock, Meghan Trainor, and Jason Momoa have lent their voices to this noble cause, amplifying the reach and impact of Macfarlane’s campaign.
“I haven’t raised that much for my nonprofit before so I am collaborating with other agencies to make sure it’s distributed equitably and efficiently.”
However, she mentioned that she has partnered with Bellator to replace gym equipment and training gear at local dojos.
Additionally, they have extended an invitation to a family affected by the wildfires to attend Ilima-Lei’s upcoming title fight in San Diego,
Despite the chaos caused by the wildfires, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane remains focused on her fight with mentor Liz Carmouche at Bellator 300 on October 7.
This bout holds great significance for Macfarlane, as it is a match she has long desired.
However, the difficult circumstances in Hawaii have somewhat diminished her ability to fully embrace the event’s lead-up.
“It was a super scary time and it was actually weird timing because the fires happened the day that we announced my title fight,” Macfarlane said.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane is not the only athlete making a significant contribution to assist those affected by the Maui wildfires.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, along with Oprah Winfrey, joined forces to donate a staggering $10 million to provide relief and support to the devastated community.
