Model who raised more than $500,000 for bushfire victims after sending fans nudes in return for donations has her Instagram account deactivated

  • Kaylen Ward offered to send a nude photo of herself to any person who donated 
  • She has already raised more than AUD$500,000 for the current bushfire appeal 
  • American model said her family disowned her but she doesn't regret decision

An American Instagram model raised more than $500,000 for Australian bushfire victims by sending nude images of herself in exchange for donations to charities. 

However, Kaylen Ward, 20, claims her generosity has seen her Instagram account deactivated. 

The influencer, from Los Angeles, said she wanted to help after seeing the devastation the bushfires had caused and thought her x-rated images would be the best way to raise funds. 

Instagram model Kaylen Ward was sending nude photos to people who donate to fires

Instagram model Kaylen Ward was sending nude photos to people who donate to fires

Ms Ward, 20, claims her generosity has seen her Instagram account deactivated

Ms Ward, 20, claims her generosity has seen her Instagram account deactivated

Within minutes of posting her offer on social media, her private messages on Instagram and Twitter were bombarded by hundreds of people sending in their receipts to prove they had donated.

But when the post went viral Ms Ward's Instagram was deactivated, and she was forced to start a new account while she worked on reinstating her original account. 

On Monday she shared that both accounts had been deactivated. 

'My IG got deactivated, my family disowned me, and the guy I like won't talk to all because of that tweet but f*** it, save the koalas,' she said.

Despite her accounts being deleted, Ms Ward claims she still managed to raise half a million dollars. 

'We have hit and estimated $500k...... guys I am crying.... this is f***ing crazy.'

To receive a 'personalised' nude image, people had to provide proof of a donation of more than $10 being pledged to an Australian charity. 

She listed some of the official organisations her followers could donate to which would help the fire efforts

She listed some of the official organisations her followers could donate to which would help the fire efforts

Ms Ward said she was moved to contributing to the fire cause after she saw harrowing photographs online

Ms Ward said she was moved to contributing to the fire cause after she saw harrowing photographs online

She asked her followers to donate directly to a list of charities she suggested, which included NSW Rural Fire Service, Victorian Country Fire Service, Red Cross and certain koala hospitals across the nation. 

Ms Ward hoped her post would attract 'a few thousand dollars'. 

Within one day, she had about 20,000 messages in her inbox with receipts.

Ms Ward said now some of her other friends in the industry have followed suit, and together they're all continuing to raise money for the cause.

'When I first started I was nervous, super anxious. But five minutes later, my inbox was flooded and those thoughts went out the window,' she said. 

She will now consider doing the same for future natural disasters. 

AUSTRALIA'S BUSHFIRE CRISIS - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Evacuations are underway and emergency alerts are in place in NSW, Victoria and South Australia as authorities predict the devastating bushfires will continue burning until at least March. 

At least 28 people have been killed in blazes across the country since the bushfire season began in October.

NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT

  • Around 90 fires were burning in NSW on Thursday morning
  • 20 people dead 
  • More than 5.2 million hectares burned - equal to the metro areas of the five mainland state capitals  
  • 1,870 homes confirmed destroyed, more than 3,774 outbuildings and 200 facilities razed 

VICTORIA  

  • 19 bushfires burning in the Gippsland, northeast and alpine regions as of Thursday morning
  • Five people dead 
  • More than 1.5 million hectares burnt  
  • 387 homes have been damaged or destroyed
  • 602 non-residential structures have also been damaged

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

  • Three people, including two from Kangaroo Island, are dead 
  • More than 274,000 hectares burnt 
  • 161 homes confirmed destroyed, along with 413 sheds and outhouses  

QUEENSLAND

  • 2.5 million hectares burnt 
  • 48 homes confirmed destroyed 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

  • 1.5 million hectares burned
  • One home confirmed destroyed

TASMANIA

  • 30,000 hectares burned
  • Two homes confirmed destroyed

NORTHERN TERRITORY

  • Five homes confirmed destroyed
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