Generous readers have given more than £1.5m to the Guardian and Observer charity appeal in aid of victims of conflict and war – and there are nearly three days still left to make a donation.
The milestone was reached on Friday afternoon, suggesting the latest appeal will become one of our most successful in terms of cash raised. More than 13,000 people have so far donated. The appeal closes at midnight on Sunday 12 January.
Three charities will benefit: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and War Child, which carry out frontline medical aid work in war zones, and Parallel Histories, which helps schools teach sensitive and controversial histories such as those of Northern Ireland, and Israel and Palestine.
The inspiring work of our three partner charities has been featured in a series of articles, a short film and a Today in Focus podcast over the past few weeks.
Hundreds of readers have left email messages of support via the online donation page. One said: “It’s so important that we do all we can to stand with people, to show we care and can act for peace, humanity and for young lives to have a future.”
Dr Natalie Roberts, the executive director of MSF UK, said: “Thank you so much to Guardian and Observer readers for your support. It’s incredible to see donations reach £1.5m. Your generosity means life-saving and life-changing care to the people who need it most.”
Kieran King, the head of humanitarian at War Child, said its share of donations would help provide desperately needed education, mental health services and safe spaces for children facing the devastating effects of continuing conflict.
“Having just returned from Gaza, I’ve seen first-hand the huge impact donations from readers are able to have on the lives of children caught in war zones. This is a huge milestone that’s been hit, and we’re hugely grateful to Guardian and Observer readers,” he said.
Bill Rammell, the chief executive of Parallel Histories, said: “I am so grateful to Guardian and Observer readers. Our share of the money raised will help us grow our essential work in schools promoting free speech and open debate on contested history, which hugely equips young people to navigate our polarised world.”
It is the 10th year in a row that readers have raised more than £1m for Guardian and Observer appeal causes. Over the past decade this amounts to £15m for a range of charities working on issues including refugee and asylum seeker support, climate crisis, child poverty and homelessness.
