The Evening Standard’s Christmas campaign on Monday smashed through the £2 million mark, thanks to a £500,000 donation from philanthropists Julia and Hans Rausing.
It came as film stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Anne-Marie Duff hailed our Winter Survival Appeal in partnership with Comic Relief for getting funds to “amazing projects” that are helping thousands who are being pushed beyond breaking point.
Julia and Hans Rausing said: “The Evening Standard’s appeal with Comic Relief is a special cause for families in crisis.
This vitally important appeal provides the chance for us all to join together to help Londoners who are in need. We are proud to support the Winter Survival Appeal as we did your On the Breadline campaign last year.”
This is the fifth consecutive year that the couple have announced significant Christmas donations to causes supporting the most vulnerable in London and across Britain, including, recently, a £1 million donation to the London Air Ambulance Charity and £8.7 million to hospices across the country.
Cumberbatch said: “I know this campaign will fund amazing projects that get help to people who need it most. This appeal will get support to families who are struggling to stay afloat and need urgent help with the essentials for their children. If you are able to support, you will be making such a difference.”
London-born Duff said: “As well as supporting families with having enough food and baby essentials, this appeal will also help organisations provide vulnerable people with someone to talk to — and somewhere safe and warm to find refuge.”
Other large donors include Sainsbury’s and Comic Relief, who have each donated £500,000, the Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund which donated £250,000, and a £250,000 expected pledge from gaming event organisers, Jingle Jam.
