An online fundraiser to support the victims and families of those affected by the mass shooting at an Orlando gay club is continuing to break records as it surpasses the US$3-million mark.
The GoFundMe campaign reached US$1 million faster than any other campaign in the crowdfunding platform’s history, and passed the US$2.5-million mark hours later.
Launched by the LBGT civil rights organization Equality Florida, the campaign is the second biggest in history, after $7 million was raised over several weeks for the 2015 Nepal earthquake.
In a statement on the campaign page, Equality Florida said the funds will help cover medical expenses and funeral arrangements for the Pulse victims.
“We do not know the total costs for the victims of this horrific hate crime, therefore are working to raise as much as possible and disperse the funds as fast as possible,” the organizers write on the fundraising page.
The group said it was “beyond moved by the support,” saying the help is coming from all walks of life, “from average Americans, large corporations, celebrities, musicians, artists, and political figures.”
It added that the outpouring of love and compassion is a "testament to the incredible good in this world.”
GoFundMe has donated $100,000 to the campaign and is waiving their usual transaction fee.
Although a few individuals and companies have donated more than $10,000, most of the 60,000-plus contributors have given more modest amounts.
Equality Florida said in a statement that gay clubs hold a "significant place" in LGBT history.
"They were often the only safe gathering place, and this horrific act strikes directly at our sense of safety," the group said.
Equality Florida is both an educational charity and an advocacy organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
