NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers battle a blaze in southern NSW in January 2020.Credit:Kate Geraghty
However,after the fundraiser ended,it emerged that strict rules governing donations may prevent this.
A trust deed governing the RFS fund says any income should be spent"to or for the brigades"to assist them with"purchasing and maintaining fire-fighting equipment and facilities",providing training and resources,and covering administrative expenses.
In a hearing on Monday,the RFS trustee sought guidance from the NSW Supreme Court to see if the deed would allow them to spend the money in other ways,including on bushfire relief for people and animals,distributing the money to other charities,or setting up a fund for firefighters who are injured or killed.
"[We] wish to honour the intentions and beliefs of Ms Barber and the donors ... concerning what would and should be done with the donated money,"the RFS said in court documents.
Comedian Celeste Barber raised $51 million for the NSW Rural Fire Service.Credit:Simon Schluter
But barristers for the fire service said they did not believe they would be legally justified if they used the money in that way.
Jeremy Giles,SC,for the RFS trustee,said Ms Barber's fundraiser was"obviously a spectacular success"and donors throughout Australia and the world had been"extremely generous",for which the RFS was grateful.