Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders joins Cameo to raise money for LA wildfire relief
In response to the devastating fires in Los Angeles, Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders is fundraising for the community of his adopted home city by joining Cameo, which allows fans to receive a personalised video message from him.
Over the last week, wildfires have torn through the city. With several different blazes burning in different parts of the city, hundreds of thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate, and thousands have lost their homes in what is being called the most destructive fire in LA history.
The wildfires that began on January 7th have yet to be fully contained and are continuing to wreak havoc in Los Angeles. According to the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner, 25 people have died as a result of the wildfires, and more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed in a 40,000-acre vicinity.
In a bid to help his city, Matt Helders is fundraising for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, a charity which helps support immigrant workers, especially those now impacted by the fires. “LA is a place I’ve called home for the past 13 years. It’s where my daughter was born and is raised, it’s where she goes to school, and where we are grateful to be,” Helders wrote on Instagram.
He continued: “Amanda [Blank] and I are doing everything we can personally and privately to help, but in order to do more and shed some light on the organisations doing so much to help, I’m gonna do a limited run on Cameo and donate all proceeds to Day Labourer Network a community that inspires me, and I admire very much.”
Cameo allows fans to buy a personal video message from the drummer to either wish them a happy birthday, give them a pep talk, or ask a question they can send to the musician.
Many other celebrities are also turning their focus to fundraising for efforts or donating sums to various charities. Jamie Lee Curtis donated $1 million to relief efforts, and Metallica also donated $500,000 to help the Los Angeles community.
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