Long-standing UNICEF Ambassadors Jemima Khan, Ewan McGregor and Robbie Williams were among guests at UNICEF UK’s star–studded Halloween Ball, raising vital funds for UNICEF’s work helping the children of Syria. The event raised an amazing £1million, made possible by the UK Government matching all donations on the night pound for pound.
UNICEF UK Ambassador, Jemima Khan said, “For over two years, the children of Syria have been witnessing and experiencing one horror after another. I have seen UNICEF’s work in emergencies all over the World. They work tirelessly to reach every child, but they cannot do it alone and the need has never been so urgent, particularly with winter approaching. We hope to raise vital funds tonight at The Halloween Ball this evening for the children of Syria and I am very grateful to the UK government who have pledged to match pound for pound everything we raise.”
High-profile personalities from the worlds of entertainment, fashion and business,turned out at London’s iconic venue, One Mayfair, in fancy dress to support UNICEF’s work to help children caught up in the Syria crisis. More than four million Syrian children, one million of whom are refugees, are in urgent need of aid.
UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams gave an electrifying exclusive performance, with fellow Ambassador Ewan McGregor joining him on stage for a surprise rendition of the all time classic, Angels.
Throughout the evening, guests were treated to an immersive theatre extravaganza from Look Left Look Right in the crypt of the former church; as well as magical tricks from Drummond Money-Coutts. Isaac Ferry kick-started the DJ sets, followed by Queens of Noize DJs Tabitha Denholm and Lisa Moorish who took over the party until 2.00am. The whole venue was scented by Jo Malone London.
UNICEF UK Executive Director, David Bull said: “Many children caught up in the current Syria crisis have been killed, maimed, orphaned, displaced, witnessed violence and lost their family members and friends; the need is desperate. We are so grateful for the fantastic support that all of our guests at the first ever UNICEF UK Halloween Ball have shown this evening, and to the UK Government for matching pound for pound all donations made from tonight, and over the next three months, to UNICEF’s work for Syria’s children.”
Tonight’s match funding is part of the UK Government’s wider support for UNICEF’s work helping the children of Syria in what is currently the largest humanitarian operation in history. Over the next three months the UK Government will match pound for pound all public donations made to UNICEF’s work for the children of Syria.
UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation, is working on the ground to provide water, education, medicine and psychological support inside Syria and for refugee children in five neighbouring countries. But the numbers are only getting bigger and lack of funding means UNICEF cannot reach every child in need.
UNICEF UK Ambassador, Ewan McGregor said: “As it stands today, there are more than one million child refugees and more than three million children needing urgent help inside Syria; the situation for them is critical. UNICEF is working day and night to provide clean water, vaccinations, education, and psychological support to those children. However, the essential supplies are running low; the Halloween Ball will play a very important role in raising the vital missing funds UNICEF needs to reach every child.”
UNICEF is the first great charity that the UK Government plans to support with match funding to help the children of Syria this winter.
International Development Secretary Justine Greening said, “Syria’s people are experiencing unimaginable hardship with millions of children in particular facing a bleak and uncertain future. The UK has already committed its largest ever humanitarian response to the crisis and we are now teaming up with UNICEF to double the power of donations from the British public. Our partnership with UNICEF means that donations to UNICEF’s appeal for the children of Syria will be matched pound for pound by the UK Government.”
Text ‘SYRIA’ to 70007 to donate £5 to help UNICEF reach even more children in desperate need.
