How Heath Ledger inspired Johnny Depp’s donation to Australian hospital
Johnny Depp has made a significant donation to an Australian children’s hospital, as part of a larger $1.17 million gift to charities around the world.
The sum comes from the sale of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) - digital assets that represent real-life products such as art and video games - which Depp raised through his NFT community, Never Fear Truth.
Depp’s donation will be split between the Perth Children’s Hospital, UK-based Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and Robert Downey Jr’s Footprint Coalition, which fundraises for non-profit organisations that focus on environmental sustainability.
@PCHFWA Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation (via CAF America)@GOSHCharity Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (via CAF America)@fp_coalition The Footprint Coalition@ChildrensLA The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA)
— Never Fear Truth (@JohnnyDeppNFT) July 5, 2022
“Johnny Depp’s Never Fear Truth NFT sale was always intended to benefit charities and we are pleased to be able to confirm that nearly $800,000 ($AUD 1.17 million) in total donations have been contributed,” Never Fear Truth tweeted.
The Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation issued a statement thanking the actor for his donation.
“Thank you so much for your generosity in helping support PCHFWA and WA sick kids,” the organisation wrote on Twitter.
“These funds will make a significant impact in helping keep (Perth Children’s Hospital) world-class for our children and families.”
Many fans praised Depp’s acts of kindness, and it turns out that his choice to support the West Australian hospital is particularly special.
Part of the money raised through Depp’s NFT community came from the sale of an NFT depicting his painting of late actor Heath Ledger, who grew up in Perth.
Carrie Robinson, the CEO of PCHFWA, told The West Australian that Ledger’s family had nominated the hospital as the recipient of the money raised from the painting’s sale.
“It’s great to see the legacy of Heath Ledger continuing to make an impact on the WA community,” Robinson said.
Other paintings included in the sale include portraits of Depp, his daughter Lily Rose, his friend and late actor River Phoenix, and Hollywood legends such as Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Elizabeth Taylor.
“I’ve always used art to express my feelings and to reflect on those who matter most to me, like my family, friends and people I admire,” Depp said when he offered his paintings publicly for the first time.
“My paintings surround my life, but I kept them to myself and limited myself.
“No-one should ever limit themselves.”
Images: Getty Images / Instagram