Ella Cutler: Perth cop’s GoFundMe to bring her back from Europe, treat her injuries biggest in WA history

Western Australia’s generous spirit has driven our State to donate more than $86 million to causes through GoFundMe, new figures reveal, with the community backing the biggest WA-based fundraiser in the website’s history — to bring 26-year-old police officer Ella Cutler home.

Perth has been revealed as the most generous local government area in the State on GoFundMe, with more than $6.2m in donations, followed by Stirling at $4.9m and Wanneroo at $3.7m.

WA’s most generous single donor to any campaign on the platform since it was launched in 2010, despite Aussies being unable to create their own fundraisers until 2015, contributed more than $44,000.

Another West Australian has spread their generosity across 168 fundraisers so far, the most anyone in the State has given to through the site.

The platform’s biggest fundraiser for a West Aussie was this year’s campaign to get 26-year-old police officer Ella Cutler home after she sustained critical injuries while holidaying in Europe.

Ms Cutler suffered a devastating 10m fall from a cliff at Pile Gate in Croatia on August 26, which left her with multiple fractures of her skull, spine, several limbs and 12 ribs. She also punctured both lungs.

Her care in a small Dubrovnik hospital racked up more than $100,000 in medical expenses, while an air ambulance to fly her back to Australia cost more than $400,000.

The GoFundMe was set up by her brother, Joshua Cutler and managed to raise $529,839 through 6679 donations, reaching its target in less than a week.

Generous contributions from individuals to cover the bill, after Ms Cutler’s insurer rejected her claim, ranged from a few dollars to two $10,000 donations from benefactors Robert Cummings and Kyle Juracic.

Ms Britton said Australians are some of the most generous givers and have not slowed their giving to causes ranging from supporting bushfire victims to aid for Ukrainians, despite current economic uncertainty.

“Since Australians have been able to donate on GoFundMe, we have seen a phenomenal response to requests for help,” she said.

“A prominent and consistent theme is that in turbulent and unpredictable times, Australian communities are stepping up to plug the gaps in fiscal support and back a friend or neighbour in need.

“The fundraising appeals are broad and varied. We’ve seen Australians raise over $40m for bushfire victims, support small businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic and, most recently, raise over $3m for Ukraine aid.”

One in five Australians have donated to a fundraiser via GoFundMe, resulting in more than $820m being given through the platform to national and international causes.