Gaza appeal total doubles to top £1m

Fundraising | Vibeka Mair | 26 Feb 2009

The Disaster Emergency Committee's (DEC) Gaza Crisis Appeal fundraising total doubled to over £1m yesterday following a televised call for donations on ITV, Channel 4 and Channel Five the previous evening.

The DEC said it was delighted at the response, but regretted that the BBC and Sky refused to broadcast its message.

"We respect the rights of the BBC and Sky," said a DEC spokesperson. "However we regret that, as a result, not as many people are hearing the message that there is a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, people are suffering and aid is desperately needed."

The BBC and Sky have faced stark criticism within the charity sector for choosing not to air the appeal because they want to remain impartial on the crisis in Israel.

Acevo, the Charity Commission and the Institute of Fundraising have all slammed the broadcasters' stance.

Stephen Bubb, chief executive of Acevo called the BBC's behaviour "appalling", while the Dame Suzi Leather, chair of the Charity Commission urged the broadcasters to change their minds.

More than 120 MPs have put their names to an early day motion condeming the BBC's stance. The petition, started by Richard Burden, Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield, described the BBC's explanations as "unconvincing and incoherent".

Read Gareth Jones' blog about this issue

Directory: Charity Commission
Who's Who: Vibeka Mair

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