Today at 8:00am, War Child launches the second phase of its Emergency Coronavirus Crowdfunder. Now in its third week, the six-week campaign has so far raised over £185,000 of its £300,000 target, attracting 3,869 funders. Stars including Frances McDormand, Muse, Jodie Whittaker and many others have joined the likes of Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Stone and War Child Global Ambassadors Carey Mulligan, Marcus Mumford and Vanessa Kirby, to help raise vital finds for children whose lives have been torn apart by war.
The staggering total of £185,000 will help War Child reach children impacted by conflict and Coronavirus and could help support 4,000 families living in cramped conditions and provide lifesaving hygiene kits containing soap, hand sanitiser, masks, and towels.
The initiative launched on 21st July and will run until 1st September. In this time of crisis, the creative community has come together to support War Child's work by offering a unique range of exclusive items, experiences and designs available to 'buy now', through auctions and prize draws prices at just £5.
They include: An hour-long stunt session on the Mission Impossible set with Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell and their stunt team, the crown worn by Frances McDormand in the eagerly anticipated production of MacBeth, an exclusive and hand signed guitar from Muse, a special birthday message from Anne-Marie, a signed, one of a kind IDLES vinyl, a Stranger Things bomber jacket signed by award-winning actor Finn Wolfhard who plays Mike Wheeler in the show, the chance to attend a Keane 2021 UK headline show, meet the band backstage and have a behind the scenes tour, a handwritten lyrics sheet from James Bay, lunch on set with Stephen Merchant, four original Damien Hirst Spin paintings, and a personalised video from Jodie Whitaker.
The public can keep up to date with available prizes here and by following @WarChildUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Actress, Jodie Whittaker, who is donating a personalised video message said:
“Now more than ever we need to do what we can in the fight to protect vulnerable children in conflict areas. War Child’s Coronavirus Crowdfunder is a brilliant and necessary initiative which I’m proud to be a part of. It will provide not just essential information on COVID-19 but will bring life-saving food and hygiene kits to the children and families who have limited access to these crucial items. I hope you can join me in supporting this vital cause and help children around the world who are struggling.”
On the success of the campaign so far, Vanessa Kirby, Global Ambassador for War Child UK, said:
“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the War Child Coronavirus Crowdfunder so far, we’ve been so taken aback by the positive response. As someone who has met some of the children War Child supports first hand, I have no doubt that these funds will make a huge difference to youngsters and families who, now more than ever, desperately need guidance and resources to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Rob Williams, Chief Executive Officer at War Child UK, added:
“Since the War Child Coronavirus Crowdfunder launched in July, we’ve been blown away with the support this life-saving initiative has received. To our contributors across the creative industry, our funders who have snapped up the prizes, and the media who have helped us drum up awareness – a huge thank you. We have hit halfway point now and are humbled once again by even more amazing contributions from our supporters. We have some incredible new prizes on offer so please do what you can to help us reach as many children as possible and provide the support they so urgently need. We have three weeks to go and we are determined to reach our goal!”
Already living in some of the most dangerous places in the world, children now face a danger as deadly as the bombs and bullets they have survived. With schools shut and families pushed further into poverty by lockdown and recession, children living in conflict zones are more at risk than ever from child labour and recruitment into armed groups, as well as the life-threatening dangers of the virus.
War Child’s teams are already on the ground providing families with lifesaving food and hygiene kits, and with your help and donations, they can work to keep children safe and protect them from the increased risk of abuse and exploitation that a crisis causes, whilst providing access to vital information.
War Child’s Emergency Coronavirus Crowdfunder runs until 1st September. To find out more, visit WarChildCrowdfunder.co.uk and follow @WarChildUK on Twitter and Instagram for further updates.
