This year’s Soccer Aid raised its highest ever fundraising total of £16.5m for UNICEF, the children’s charity has announced, as the event marked its 20th anniversary.
Co-founded by UNICEF UK’s ambassador and singer Robbie Williams in 2006, the annual event is the world’s biggest celebrity charity football match.
Yesterday’s match took place at former 2012 Olympics venue the London Stadium and featured an England team of celebrities and former footballers that played against the Soccer Aid World XI.
The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation doubled every donation made to this year’s campaign up to £6m, which will go directly towards UNICEF’s Child Nutrition Fund.
Since its inception, Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised over £137m.
‘Remarkable achievement’
In the game yesterday, the England team secured a 3-2 victory to reclaim the title, with goals from former football player Jermaine Defoe and actor Damson Idris.
Philip Goodwin, chief executive of UNICEF UK, said: “20 years of Soccer Aid for UNICEF is a remarkable achievement, made possible by the extraordinary support of the UK public.
“At a time when children across the world are facing conflict, hunger, climate disasters and shrinking aid budgets, the funds raised tonight will transform lives.
“This support couldn’t be more needed, and I’m profoundly grateful to everyone who supported UNICEF [last night].”
Williams said: “Thinking about what Soccer Aid for UNICEF has become over the past 20 years is truly incredible.
“It started as an idea, and it’s grown into something far bigger than any of us expected.
“The support from the public year after year has been phenomenal, and the money raised tonight will go on to do vital work for children around the world.
“I’m massively grateful to everyone who has played, donated, watched and supported it.”
