Its times like these that the biggest stars and celebrities on the planet are able to give back in ways that us mere mortals cannot.
We wanted to pay tribute to those that have already contributed and also to encourage those that haven’t to open their hearts and their wallets and do what they can to make a huge difference to their country’s health care service.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
One of the most publicised single donations from any celebrity came from arguably the greatest action movie star of all time Arnold Schwarzenegger, when he donated $1 Million to COVID-19 Medical Supply Relief. The former body builder, action movie hero and Governor of California said:
“Our doctors, nurses and hospital staff are the real action heroes of this crisis, I just play one in the movies”
He went on to say:
“I never believed in sitting on the couch and complaining about how bad things are; I always believed we should all do our part to make things better. This is a simple way to protect our real action heroes on the frontlines in our hospitals, and I’m proud to be part of it.”
Well done Arnie.
So who else has been giving back to help in these desperate times?
Angelina Jolie
The actress has also donated $1m to fight child hunger during the outbreak of the Corona Virus.
AdvertisementShe has donated the cash to No Kid Hungry, which will provide meals for children from low-income families across the US while schools are closed.
Angelina said: “As of this week, over a billion children are out of school worldwide because of closures linked to coronavirus.
“Many children depend on the care and nutrition they receive during school hours, including nearly 22 million children in America who rely on food support.
“No Kid Hungry is making resolute efforts to reach as many of those children as possible.”
Rhianna
One of the largest donations from any celebrity came from Rihanna.
Widely known for her charitable endeavours the Singer and actress donated $5 million dollars from her charity Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF)
In a statement the foundation said:
“Over the past five years CLF has been one of the first organisations to respond to some of the world’s most devastating natural disasters, and we’ve seen first hand the profound and unintended consequences of not being prepared.
“That’s why Clara Lionel Foundation has provided $5 million to the following organisations to immediately mobilise a broad response working with on-the-ground partners that include Direct Relief, Feeding America, Partners in Health, The World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, the International Rescue Committee, and others.”
Other high profile donations came from :
Roger Federer $1 million,
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively $1 million
Gwyneth Paltrow $100,000
Big donations from footballs biggest stars
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola
The former Manchester united and Real madrid Star has given money to fund a number of intensive care units in Portugal, with the Northern Lisbon University Hospital Centre receiving two new units accommodating ten beds each and Santo Antonio Hospital in Porto a new unit of its own.
Like many other players, Barcelona Super Star Lionel Messi has also dug deep and donated €1m to Barcelona’s Hospital Clinic and to a hospital in Argentina.
Its not just players getting in on the act, Pep Guardiola of Machester City and Messi’s former coach at Barcelona, has also donated €1m to the Barcelona-based Angel Soler Daniel Foundation.
So that’s Sateside and Europe but what about the UK? Which celebrities have been doing their bit over here?
James McAvoy
The “Split” actor donated £275,000 to the Masks For NHS Heroes campaign to provide protective equipment for staff.
The Scottish born star, 40, also made a video in support of the campaign.
“NHS staff are heroes,” he said. “We must do all that we can to protect them, support them and thank them.
“Nurses and doctors have described a lack of personal protective equipment.
“Caring for people with COVID-19 without access to proper masks, goggles, gowns and gloves puts themselves and others at risk.
“That’s why I’m supporting the efforts of four NHS doctors… to plug this urgent gap….Thank you NHS.”
Gary Lineker
The match of the day host donated £300k to the Red Cross to pile pressure on millionaire Premier league stars to take salary cuts and do their bit in the wake of this pandemic
The former England and Spurs star agreed to give away two months of his BBC salary to the British Red Cross, who are helping those most vulnerable during the pandemic.
He has also appeared to challenge other top earning players and managers by asking others to “join in”.
Sharing a Just Giving link on Twitter, Lineker, 59, posted: “Decided to donate a couple months’ salary to the British Red Cross who are doing vital work to the most vulnerable during this coronavirus crisis.
“Feel incredible fortunate to be able to do this. If you’d like to join in it would be greatly appreciated.”
Great work Gary
While some premier league stars have been slow to react, there are players that have started doing their bit already
At only 22 years old Marcus Rashford has been actively working with the charity FareShare to help kids in Manchester after schools were closed.
In a statement the Manchester united and England star said: “I have done a lot of work with children and when I heard about the schools shutting down, I knew some kids would not be getting free meals at school.
“When I was at school, I was on free meals and my mum wouldn’t get home until around six o’clock so my next meal would have been about eight o’clock”, he told the BBC.
Rashford said “the work we have been doing has helped raise £100,000 which will feed 400,000 children across Manchester”.
Great work from one of Englands rising stars
If there are any celebrities reading this thinking “ can I really make a difference?” the answer is an emphatic yes. If you can give a little or a lot, then your donation will make a huge difference to front line staff and charities as we collectively battle the Corona virus outbreak. Get involved now !
