UNICEF Games Appeal Reaches £3.5M

A fundraising appeal for children's charity Unicef made during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games has reached £3.5 million. More than half a million people in the UK responded after watching a live appeal by actor James McAvoy and Olympian Sir Chris Hoy at Celtic Park in Glasgow. There were more than 500,000 text donations from the UK public in the space of an hour last night, with donations still coming in from the UK and across the Commonwealth. The figure will be added to the £1.2 million already raised for the partnership between Unicef, Glasgow 2014 and the Commonwealth Games Federation before the opening ceremony, bringing the current total to £4.7 million. McAvoy said: As a son of Scotland I couldn't have been prouder to have been part of last night's opening ceremony and support the incredible partnership with Unicef. £3.5m raised so far and rising - wow, what a historic moment! Thank you to everyone who donated - I know your money will be making a huge difference to children all over the Commonwealth.'' Sir Chris said:It's been absolutely incredible to witness the power of such an amazing partnership between Unicef and Glasgow 2014. I'm immensely proud to be a Unicef UK Ambassador and to have visited Malawi and seen first-hand the life-saving differences we can make for children. I know how far the millions can go to help continue that amazing work. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric and to have been part of this huge first for sport and children feels very special, a truly historic moment that will never be forgotten.'' The show also featured an appeal from Unicef ambassador and actor Ewan McGregor, who was on screen, and video messages from celebrities including former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and singer Nicole Scherzinger highlighting the importance of Unicef's work were shown. Unicef UK executive director David Bull said:With this money we will be able to achieve our joint ambition with Glasgow 2014 to reach every child in Scotland and children in every Commonwealth country to give them a brighter future. Millions of children's lives will be transformed''. Your incredibly generous support will help Unicef save and change children's lives around the world. We will do this in a whole range of ways; for example in Bangladesh we are tackling child labour and child marriage, by helping to keep the most at risk children at school."In Malawi we are using sport and education to engage with young people and help reduce HIV infection. In Scotland, Unicef UK is helping ensure all new born babies get off to the best start in life, supporting a strong nurturing bond between parents and their babies." Thank you so much to everyone who held their hands and heads high tonight and voted to Put Children First. We couldn't do this without you.'' To donate £5, text FIRST to 70333.