Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth is quietly funding private helicopter flights to reach isolated residents of NSW’s devastated Northern Rivers region.
The actor, who is away filming in Prague, has provided a pool of funds for privately operated choppers to drop supplies to people in need following the catastrophic floods.
Over the past two days it’s estimated there has been more than 50 such drop-offs to people isolated by floodwaters.
They included urgent deliveries of food in New Italy, NSW, to 10 adults and four babies who had not eaten in 12 hours, local air charter company Avmin said.
The revelation of Hemsworth’s involvement, aired on Nova FM’s Fitzy & Wippa show, was confirmed by Avmin air charter specialists chief executive Paul O’Brien.
“He’s funding a number of helicopter flights down in the Northern Rivers region and just told us to continue with that and just to keep him posted,” Mr O’Brien told NCA NewsWire.
“He obviously feels a bit hopeless at the moment because he’s away in Prague filming, so he’s desperate to get back and do something.
“But this is just his way of trying to find ways he can assist.”
Mr O’Brien said numerous missions had been run for food, water, fuel for generators, baby formula, baby nappies and clothing.
“It’s been very beneficial and that is all privately funded through himself and other people, but the majority of it through (Hemsworth),” he added.
“There’s a pool of funding there, whereby we’re using all the resources in the region to fund that.
“As the floodwaters recede, those drop-offs won’t be as essential, and the helicopters and Chris will look to other means of supporting the area where funding is needed.
“We’re looking at different things at the moment.”
Mr O’Brien thanked local air charter Fly Byron for being instrumental in providing the helicopters.
“It’s just like a war zone out there,” he said.
“You’ll see many of the shots out there where towns have gone, especially in that region where the landslide was, it’s horrific.
“There’s still people completely under water or isolated in their farms.
“Animals are a big thing. The people were rescued but now going back to rescue or feed animals is one of the big things in the region at the moment.
“It’s been beneficial in that xjmtzywwe can get some funding and keep flying.”
A post on Avmin’s Instagram page thanked the Thor star for his help, adding he would “hate us” for the mention.
But it won over fans, with one posting: “They’re literally relying on superheroes.”
“This is the Aussie Spirit at work. Well done,” wrote another.
“The fact he just did it and never told anyone is the reason he’s a legend,” another person posted.
Hemsworth’s brothers Luke and Liam have also helped out the flood effort.
An image shows the brothers joined by tennis legend Pat Rafter and others as they cleaned up a flood-ravaged home in Lismore.
