With just a week to go, an incredible £1,250,000 has been raised by generous readers for the 2024 Guardian and Observer challenge to help victims of conflict and war.
It benefits three alms from the appeal; Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and War Boywho provide medical assistance in war zones Parallel historieswhich helps schools teach sensitive and controversial histories, such as those of Northern Ireland, Israel and Palestine.
The grand total stood at £1,262,000 at noon on Friday, with more than 11,200 readers donating to the appeal. For the tenth year in a row, the annual appeal has raised over £1m. Over the past decade it has raised just short of £15m for good reasons.
The inspiration for our work was shared by three charities featured in a series of articlesa short film and from * Today on the Focus podcast a few days ago. The appeal runs until midnight on Sunday 12th January.
One reader, explaining why they gave the appeal, said: “This may seem less to give in the face of the whole world’s suffering, but if even one wounded child can always be safe, or warm, or relaxed enough to laugh. do it again
Hundreds of readers have left emails through the online donation page. One said: “You’re just trying to do a small thing in the face of what sometimes feels like cruel misery in the world.”
Another said: “I was called by mobility problems and my husband has a disability, but you try to help people, we live in luxury. I hope this donation helps a little. “
Dr Natalie Roberts, executive director of MSF UK, said: “Thank you to Guardian and The Guardian readers for your support. Thanks to you, we can continue our vital work on the frontlines, responding in crisis situations and providing care to people most in need.
Bill Rammell, chief executive of Parallel History, said: “We bring young people together to collaborate across the community through research and debate. By giving oxygen to the discussion of controversial issues that divide society, we build a social partnership. Your donations help us to do much more of this.
Introducing the appeal In December, the editor of Guardians, Katharina Viner, asked readers to support the appeal “as a sign of commitment to peace, human rights and social justice, and a gesture of solidarity with the myriads of people whose lives and livelihoods. perished by war and violence”.