Celeste Barber smashed world records after raising a staggering $50 million to help victims of bushfires and the brave volunteer firefighters saving lives.

But a legal roadblock could mean the donations never reach those most in need.

The Australian comedian started the Facebook fundraiser for NSW Rural Fire Service, directing funds to its Brigades Donations Fund.

She was unaware money sent to this fund can strictly be used only on training, resources and fire equipment for the volunteer firefighters - not their families or fire-affected communities.

Urgent discussions are now underway to find a way ensure the money goes to where it was intended, it is understood.

Comedian Celeste Barber (pictured in New York in October) started the viral Facebook fund to raise money for those affected by Australia's bushfire crisis

Tens of thousands of people have donated more than $50 million to Celeste Barber's bushfire fund after watching devastation across Australia. Pictured is a fire in Lake Tabourie

So far, the viral Facebook fundraiser has raised more than $50 million (pictured) but there are fears it may not go to communities devastated by the fires

On its own annual report, the Fund said it operates 'solely for the purpose of supporting the volunteer-based fire and emergency service activities of the brigades'.

It says these activities included buying and maintaining firefighting equipment, as well as providing training and resources among other administrative expenses.

This means the families of dead or injured firefighters could be left without a cent, as could other volunteer fire brigades.

But a NSW RFS spokesperson insisted to Daily Mail Australia on Saturday that its members would decide how donated funds are spent at a later date.

Celeste Barber was rewarded for her philanthropic efforts with a 'Hemsworth sandwich' courtesy of Hollywood star brothers Chris and Liam at a fundraiser on Thursday (pictured)

Graffiti artist Matty Bro Art honoured Celeste Barber on Melbourne's most famous urban art laneway, Hosier Lane (pictured)

Donors hoped the vital funds would go to helping firefighters (pictured) and the communities devastated by blazes

It said once the crisis eases, it would work to make sure the money was used 'for the greatest benefits of our members and their communities'.

In 2017/18, the fund received just $768,000 in donations, meaning the $50 million is completely unprecedented.

Midway through 2018, it had just $2.1 million in the bank.

A spokesperson for NSW RFS said: 'Throughout this emergency we have been humbled by the amazing support and extraordinary donations being made to our Brigade Donations Trust.

Animal shelters, like this one at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park (pictured), were also hoping for a share of the donations after battling to save hundreds of koalas

Dozens of koalas have been rescued from the fires over the past week on Kangaroo Island (pictured)

Fires have devastated communities across Australia, including Tumburumba (pictured) which saw families lose their homes

Entire communities have been wiped off the map due to bushfires, like this one in the NSW town of Bilpin (pictured)

It was hoped some of the money could go to firefighters (pictured on Kangaroo Island) and their families

'It's important that our members, who know what's best for their brigades and communities, have a say in the use of donated funds.

'Once the bush fire emergency eases, the NSW RFS will work with senior volunteers and brigades to ensure donated funds are used for the greatest benefit of our members and their communities.'

Daily Mail Australia approached representatives for Ms Barber for comment.

NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge told The Australian donors to the comedian's viral Facebook appeal may not have realised funds wouldn't go to firefighters themselves.

'There is a desperate existing need for additional RFS uniforms, functioning face masks and other personal protective equipment,' Mr Shoebridge said.

'However, I'm sure many people­ also want these funds to be available for the families of firefighters who have been killed or seriously injured in the fires.

Andrew O'Dwyer (left) and Geoffrey Keaton (right) were killed when their truck rolled off the road after hitting a fallen tree last night at Buxton, south of Sydney

Mr O'Dwyer (centre) leaves behind his wife Melissa (left), young daughter Charlotte (right) and two young boys. It was hoped some of the funds would go to his family

'It's a real problem that the trust deed doesn't allow that and this should be fixed as soon as ­parliament returns. The scale of the generosity is extraordinary and we need to ensure that the money goes where it was intended.'

Ms Barber initially began the appeal last Friday, and smashed her $30,000 goal within hours.

She later assured fans she was in talks with the NSW RFS to try and ensure the money was distributed fairly.

'It will be distributed out,' she wrote to her 6.7 Instagram followers.

Hero firefighter Mat Kavanagh (pictured with his wife Jude) leaves behind two children after he was killed in Decemberin a two-car crash on the Goulburn Valley Highway

CFA firefighters (pictured) are based in Victoria and may therefore be ineligible for a piece of the $50 million pie

Rural Fire Service volunteers contain a small bushfire which closed the Princes Highway south of Ulladulla last week (pictured)

The comedian (pictured in May in Sydney) has been widely praised for setting up the incredible campaign, but it now faces a legal dilemma

'I'm going to make sure that Victoria gets some, that South Australia gets some, also the ­families of people who have died in these fires.'

Experts said the money has not yet reached the NSW RFS as it is currently being held by PayPal.

This means there is still time to organise for some of the funds to be diverted to other organisations, such as those supporting victims or local wildlife.

Swinburne University's Krystian Seibert, an expert on philanthropic law, said the donations to Barber's appeal were being held by PayPal's Giving Fund Australi­a.

So far this bushfire season, 26 people have lost their lives and hundreds more have seen their homes and towns destroyed.

There has been an outpouring of grief from around the world, with celebrities flocking to donate hundreds of millions of dollars.

Big names giving to bushfire relief Australia's bushfires have attracted several high-profile and corporate donations, including $500,000 from US singer Pink. Australian actress Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban donated $500,000. The Packer family has donated a total of $5million. Chris Hemsworth and his family pledged $1million. Metal band Metallica donated $750,000. Australian producer and DJ Flume announced a $100,000 donation to WIRES Wildlife Rescue. American singer Selena Gomez encouraged her fans to donate and pledged money herself. Australian actor and Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery made an emotional video pleading people to help Australia, and made a GoFundMe that has surpassed $320,000. Actress Rebel Wilson has thrown her support behind bushfire appeals by auctioning off a special lunch for charity, where she raised $100,000. World No.1 tennis player Ash Barty has promised to donate $360,000 to families affected by bushfires if she wins a major international competition. British actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge from Fleabag promised to auction the outfit she wore to the Golden Globes and donate it to the bushfires. Australia's sweetheart Kylie Minogue donated $500,000. Model and social media star Kylie Jenner has also donated US$1million. Former cricketer Shane Warne is auctioning his iconic Baggy Green hat. Advertisement

Mining billionaire Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest and his wife Nicola (pictured together centre at a Salvation Army event) have pledged $70 million to bushfire recovery efforts

Actress Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban pledged $500,000, as did American singer Pink.

Meanwhile mining billionaire Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest has pledged $70 million to bushfire recovery efforts.

The Fortescue Metals boss and his wife Nicola will make the massive donation through their Minderoo Foundation charity.

He said $10 million would go to immediate relief for fire-hit communities through the Australian Red Cross and Salvation Army.

The same amount will mobilise an army of more than 1,200 specialist volunteers from the mining and agriculture sectors in his home state of Western Australia to help rebuild devastated towns.

The remaining $50 million will be invested in a national 'long-term blueprint for fire and disaster resilience' to develop new ways of fighting and preventing bushfires.

Mr Forrest has a net worth of $12.8 billion and is consistently ranked among the richest Australians.