Soccer Aid for Unicef has announced that it has raised more than £100m since its inception after £15m was donated in support of last night’s event.
The latest football fundraising event, which took place at London’s Stamford Bridge, raised more than last year’s £14.6m but less than the record £15.6m raised in 2022, bringing the total raised since 2006 to over £106m.
The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation doubled every donation made to this year’s campaign up to £4m, which will go to Unicef’s Child Nutrition Fund.
Soccer Aid said the money raised this year could help Unicef “protect children from disease and malnutrition, support their mental health and respond in times of crisis such as in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, so they can get back to learning when schools are destroyed”.
It said it could also “help provide vaccines to prevent common childhood diseases such as measles so that children worldwide can grow up happy, healthy and able to play”.
‘A huge achievement’
Every year, the football match features an England team of celebrities and former footballers versus a Soccer Aid World XI.
Last night’s game saw team England winning for the first time in six years (6-3), featuring celebrities including olympian Usain Bolt and footballers such as Lioness Jill Scott.
Unicef UK chief executive Jon Sparkes said: “Not only did our favourite celebrity and football heroes put on a top performance for crowds, but an astounding £15m has been raised for the world’s children.
“It’s a huge achievement to reach over £100m in total and it has only inspired us to continue to raise as much as we can for children in years to come.
“Thank you to everyone in the stadium and at home for their generous support.
“There’s still time to donate, so please do continue to give what you can to help even more children have happy and play-filled childhoods.”
Singer, Unicef UK ambassador and event co-creator Robbie Williams said: “I’m so proud to be back for another brilliant Soccer Aid for Unicef event – and what a night it was.
“When we first started in 2006, we never imagined that one day we’d reach a total of over £100m for Unicef and children who need it most – it’s incredible.
“I’m so grateful to everyone who has got involved and donated. Your money will be life-changing for millions of children worldwide, giving them back the right to play.”
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