Numerous koalas were killed and injured in the past week as fires spread across the states of South Australia and Victoria. The International Fund for Animal Welfare has urged people to donate mittens made from 100 per cent cotton sheets or tea towels. In a Facebook message that was forwarded about 12,000 times, the group said: “Koalas urgently need your help. Please cut out our pattern and get your friends to get sewing too.”