Stars Unite To Support War Child’s Six-Week Campaign EMERGENCY CORONAVIRUS CROWDFUNDER To Raise £300,000

Carey Mulligan, Marcus Mumford, Vanessa Kirby, Louis Tomlinson, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Jude Law, Liam Gallagher, Emma Stone, Noel Gallagher, The 1975 and many more donate exclusive prizes to raise crucial funds for the charity’s emergency response

Act now to save children from a virus as deadly as war and choose from the list of auctions, prize draw and ‘buy now’ items here

Exclusive prizes include meet and greets with your favourite celebrities, one of a kind signed film and music memorabilia, plus a royal tea experience with Vanessa Kirby and Helena Bonham Carter from their roles in the hit Netflix series The Crown

Today, War Child launches its Emergency Coronavirus Crowdfunder. This six-week campaign aims to raise £300,000 to support children whose lives have been torn apart by war. 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.  

From now until 1^st September, members of the public have the chance to buy something truly unique through this Crowdfunder, whilst contributing to the important work that War Child is so committed to. 

With the incredible support of high-profile friends from across the creative industries, War Child has been able to raise millions of pounds to support their vital work over nearly three decades. In this time of crisis, the creative community has come together again 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.

They include: brunch with Carey Mulligan and a screening of her new film, a Royal Tea Party with Helena Bonham-Carter and Vanessa Kirby - both actors who have played Princess Margaret in The Crown, signed guitars from Marcus Mumford and Ed Sheeran, a private video call with Louis Tomlinson or Jamie Dornan, meet and greets with Ed Sheeran,  The 1975 or Duran Duran at a future show, a signed limited edition Flower Of Life lithograph from Coldplay, a limited edition print by Anthony Burrill, the chance to have a personal song written for you by Johnny Flynn and many, many more.

Halfway through the campaign even more exclusive items and experiences from top artists, musicians, sport stars and actors will be released. The public can keep up to date with what prizes are available here and by following War Child on social media.

Carey Mulligan, Global Ambassador for War Child UK, said “Working with War Child for over six years has shown me not just the hardships that children in war-torn countries face every day, but the amazing resilience they hold in times of devastation. With COVID-19 causing restrictions on the aid we can bring, War Child’s emergency Coronavirus Crowdfunder is essential in bringing resources to children in conflict zones who are facing this new and deadly threat. The positive support I have received from peers to contribute to this campaign has been overwhelming and I am so grateful to anyone who can join us in raising these crucial funds.”

Rob Williams, Chief Executive Officer at War Child UK, said “The impact of coronavirus has been felt around the world, but in the communities where War Child works this is an emergency which could yet prove to be the world’s most deadly humanitarian disaster. With the incredible support of the creative industries, War Child has worked to help children affected by war for 27 years and at this time of crisis I’m truly humbled by the generosity of our supporters to do what they can to help. As we are beginning to beat the virus in the UK it is crucial to support vulnerable children whose futures hang in the balance and the funds raised from this campaign will help us ensure we can reach as many children as possible to provide the support they so urgently need. Thank you to everyone who has taken part.”

Vanessa Kirby, Global Ambassador for War Child UK, said "War Child is at the forefront of helping to provide support for vulnerable children in war zones, and these children are still in desperate need, now more than ever, as COVID-19 continues to inflict devastation worldwide. I am honoured to be able to help support War Child on their Emergency Coronavirus Crowdfunder. Meeting some of the children War Child supports has been one of the most inspirational experiences of my life. If you can, please join me in supporting this amazing cause.”

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.

Rosana, a mother of four living in Afghanistan said “The coronavirus has had a bad effect on my family. Both my husband and my son are jobless, and we have no other breadwinner. During the corona situation, we had to sell the carpets of our rooms to buy food.”

With the donations made:

• £10 could provide a child who has nothing, with toys including a teddy bear, puzzle, and football
• £25 could provide a child living in a refugee camp who is unable to go to school with an at-home education pack
• £28 could provide critical support to two children calling our helpline who have nobody else to turn to during lockdown
• £35 could provide a family living in cramped conditions with lifesaving hygiene kits. They contain soap, hand sanitiser, masks and towels
• £45 could provide a family of seven living in poverty with lifesaving food for a month including flour, rice and oil
• £75 could provide three children living in a refugee camp who are unable to go to school with an education pack

War Child’s Emergency Coronavirus Crowdfunder runs until 1st September. To find out more, visit War Child Crowdfunder and follow @WarChildUK on Twitter and Instagram for further updates.

About War Child
War Child is striving for a world where children’s lives are no longer torn apart by war.

We protect, educate and stand up for the rights of children caught up in conflict. We aim to reach children as early as possible when conflict breaks out and stay to support them through their recovery - helping to keep them safe, give them an education, and equip them with skills for the future.

We understand children’s needs, respect their rights, and put them at the centre of the solution - from supporting Syrian children to access education, to reintegrating child soldiers in the Central African Republic and promoting justice for young people in detention in Afghanistan. Together with our partners we work in 15 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and Latin America.

We also work with children and young people to change systems and practices that affect them – campaigning on the root causes of conflict and demanding that children are at the centre of humanitarian response.

Find War Child on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Charity number: 1071659 

Media Spokespeople:

ROB WILLIAMS – CEO WAR CHILD BIO

Rob Williams OBE is Chief Executive of War Child, the UK charity dedicated to supporting children affected by conflict.  War Child promotes child protection, education and livelihoods in a range of countries affected by war including Afghanistan, Iraq and The Democratic Republic of Congo, helping children who have been abused, abducted, displaced or marginalised by conflict.  Previously in relief and development Rob has worked for Save the Children, the British Red Cross and Concern Worldwide in Africa and Asia leading country programmes and also managing emergency response. In the UK he has been, at various times, Deputy Children’s Commissioner for England, Chief Executive of Bliss - the premature baby charity, and Chief Executive of the Fatherhood Institute. Rob was awarded an OBE in December 2014, for services to protecting and improving the lives of children, including those affected by conflict overseas. He is married with two children and lives in Cambridge.

Current Supporters and Fundraiser Prizes:

Case Studies:

Afghanistan – Rosana - Livelihood

Rosana, based in Herat and the mother of four children, had to sell her possessions to provide food for her family. Due to a health problem she is not able to work and her husband is now jobless because of the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown.

“The coronavirus has had a bad effect on my family. Both my husband and my son are jobless and we have no other breadwinner. During the corona situation, we had to sell the carpets of our rooms to buy food.”

Afghanistan – Esta – Livelihood

Esta is a mother of five living with her fathers family in Herat Afghanistan. Local job opportunities are rare so two years ago her husband, who has serious health problems, was smuggled into Iran to find work. Since the outbreak of coronavirus he has been unable to get in touch with her or send money. The family were become reliant on the money he sent home.

“We are very worried. It has been almost two months now that we have not had three meals a day”.

“Before the outbreak I used to do the laundry in the neighbour’s houses, wash clothes, wash dishes… but now no one allows me or calls me for work.”

Afghanistan –Navid – Livelihood/Education

12 year old Navid was forced to leave school as they family couldn’t continue to afford sending him. At first his mother kept him at home, but in the face of her family starving, she was forced to send him out to find work. 

“During the quarantine and the city lockdown, I prevented Navid from leaving the house, but as there was nothing to eat at home I had to let him go out for work.”

Now, instead of going to school Navid leaves home early in the morning without breakfast to look for work on the city streets. He’s forced to survive on leftover food he can find from people and shops that are open during the lockdown. Navid is earning less than a dollar a day polishing shoes which is helping his mother pay some household expenses, but she’s worried the work is making him sick as well as exposing him to the risks of coronavirus.

Afghanistan – Ezatullah - Education

Ezatullah who is 12 years old and living in an IDP camp can no longer go to school because they are closed. He says there is no one in his family to help with his education and he’s had to go out looking for work to support his family. When asked if he knows about coronavirus he says:

“I don’t know much about it but I heard that it is a disease. I am very afraid because doctors say if someone gets coronavirus they get separated from their family.”

Iraq - Amjad – Mental health & education

Amjad, 15, spoke about his family’s current situation and the impact this has had on his mental health.

“I’m thinking a lot about negative things, fears about the future, and how our life has become more difficult than before due to poor living conditions. The effect of the virus has prevented me from going to my school, I am in the ninth grade and I need to continue my studies… but I cannot and now I feel very distressed, I spend my time at home and I cannot go out with my friends.’

Iraq - Aliya – Education/Livelihood

Aliya, 38, spoke about how her children who can no longer go to school are now working to help provide for their family. One of Aliya’s children also has epilepsy and requires medication which is an additional cost that needs to be covered. The family have been forced to prioritise buying food and medication over hygiene and protection items which would keep them safe from coronavirus.

“My children are working every day, they have to do that to feed us.

There is no recreational activities in my children’s lives. When they get back from work they are forced to stay at home. If the children go out to work we can eat and drink but if the children stay at home, I do not know how we can live.”