Three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning has donated his AU$75,000 (NZD$83,140) television appearance fee to a surfer who was mauled by a great white shark.
Fanning sat down with Channel Nine's 60 Minutes program to talk about his lucky escape from a shark attack while competing in South Africa.
He fought the shark off and was uninjured, however fellow Australian surfer Matt Lee wasn't so fortunate, having to undergo surgery on both legs after being attacked by a shark in Ballina.
Channel Nine network chief executive David Gyngell pledged a further AU$25,000 (NZD$27,700) to Lee for his treatment and rehabilitation.
Lee remains in Gold Coast University hospital, and his family posted their thanks on a Facebook page set up to support the injured surfer.
"Mick Fanning and David Gyngell, no words can describe how grateful we are for the generous donation," the post on Facebook read.
Fanning hoped to visit Lee in hospital, but the meeting did not materialise as he was scheduled to undergo further surgery.
3 News