UNICEF UK can today announce that Soccer Aid 2014, broadcast on ITV, has raised a final total of £6,525,072 for its vital work to save children’s lives around the world.
Thanks to the generous response from ITV viewers, and the UK Government matching all public donations pound for pound, this figure has smashed all previous records set by the biennial event.
Soccer Aid 2014 took place at a packed out Old Trafford on 8th June 2014 and was broadcast live on ITV. The match saw celebrities and football legends team up for a fifth time to play an enthralling game of football whilst raising crucial money for Unicef, the world’s leading children’s organisation.
A crowd of nearly 70,000 turned out to see Robbie Williams lead the England team with Welsh movie star Michael Sheen returning to captain The Rest of the World. Star players including John Bishop, Dominic Cooper, Marvin Humes, James McAvoy, Olly Murs, Jeremey Renner, Adam Richman and Jack Whitehall took part in the electrifying match which saw the Rest Of The World defeat England 4-2.
Throughout the match short films were broadcast presented by Unicef Ambassadors David Beckham and Cat Deeley and Unicef supporters Dame Judi Dench, Lewis Hamilton, Keeley Hawes and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley showing how Unicef helps protect children around the world from the dangers they face.
Robbie Williams, Unicef UK Ambassador and co-founder of Soccer Aid said: “Soccer Aid was just a dream a few years ago and look at it now. Being able to walk out in front of a packed Old Trafford – with some of the world’s best footballers – whilst at the same time raising money for Unicef to help keep children safe is absolutely incredible. Thank you so so much to everyone who donated on the night or bought a ticket to the match – we couldn’t have done it without you.”
Michael Sheen, Unicef UK Ambassador and Rest of the World captain added: “I can’t deny that it was a real privilege to captain the Rest Of The World to victory in such a hotly contested match, but arguably the best bit of all is knowing the difference that this game of football makes. Thanks to the public’s generous donations and the pound for pound UK Government Aid Match, this year’s Soccer Aid raised more money than ever for Unicef’s vital work to protect children around the world from the danger. On behalf of Unicef, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated.”
All the money raised through Soccer Aid will go to save and change children’s lives. Examples of how money will be spent include providing children with vaccines to protect them against killer diseases; with clean, safe water to drink; and with emergency supplies such as life-saving emergency food.
Soccer Aid was produced by Initial, an Endemol Company for ITV and was broadcast live on Sunday 8th June on ITV. Tesco were the fundraising sponsor for Soccer Aid 2014.
The five Soccer Aid events in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 have together raised over £18 million for Unicef’s work for children.
Source: UNICEF UK
