Madonna, Chris Rock and other stars donate to Christchurch victims fund

A-list celebrities including Madonna and Ben Stiller have donated thousands of dollars to a fundraiser for the New Zealand terror attack victims.

Last Friday, fifty people were killed by a gunman who opened fire on two Christchurch mosques. A 28-year-old man has been charged with murder. 

The GoFundMe page has reached almost NZ$122,000 of its NZ$147,000 goal after being set up by Guy Oseary, the manager for Madonna and the band U2, who pledged $US18,000 himself.

Actors Ben Stiller and Ashton Kutcher, and filmmaker Judd Apatow each pledged NZ$1460.

Other donations came from comedian Chris Rock, who donated NZ$7,300 with Madonna pledging NZ$27,000 dollars.

"I read the frightening details and could barely find the strength to watch a short clip of the disturbing footage. My heart breaks for the victims and for their families," Oseary wrote on the page after setting it up on Friday.

Making a donation is one way to show your support for the victims of the shootings at two Christchurch mosques on Friday. 

VICTIM SUPPORT

Victim support has set up a crowdfunding page on Givealittle. 

Donations will "be used to provide support and resources for people affected by the Christchurch shootings," the charity said. 

Funds received through the page will be "ring-fenced" and not used for Victim Support's regular operating costs, it noted.  

"There will be many needs that victims have - some financial, some for support and many other needs too. It is important that there is enough flexibility in the criteria that we can respond to those needs as they continue to emerge, whatever they may be."

At the time of writing, the page had raised $4.86 million from 65,601 donors. 

NEW ZEALAND ISLAMIC INFORMATION CENTRE

The New Zealand Islamic Information Centre (NZIIC) has launched a crowdfunding campaign on LaunchGood to help families affected by the shootings. 

"All proceeds will help with the immediate, short-term needs of grieving families," NZICC says. "No amount of money will bring back their loved ones, but we do hope to lessen their burden in some way."

At the time of writing, the centre had raised $1.89 million of its $2 million target and had 33,716 supporters. 

Rugby player Sonny Bill Williams, who is a Muslim, has partnered with the Muslims Around The World Project (MATW) to raise funds for the victims' families.

Donations are being accepted through the not-for-profit organisation's website

At the time of writing, the centre had raised $1.89 million of its $2 million target and had 33,716 supporters. 

Donations are being accepted through the not-for-profit organisation's website.