Record executive and TV personality Simon Cowell is set to donate £1.3 million ($1.6 million) to assist charities affected by the global coronavirus pandemic, in a column published yesterday, March 27.
Writing for a guest column in The Sun, a British newspaper, he opened how the publication plans to give monetary support to 50 charities in commemoration of its 50th anniversary. Cowell said that he "was happy to lend [his] support," recognizing the importance of "all good causes."
The famed TV competition judge then explained in his column the effect of the global coronavirus outbreak on "thousands of small charities across the UK."
One of the charities affected is Shooting Star Children's Hospices, which supports "800 families with babies, children and young people suffering the most devastating life-limiting conditions." Simon has been working with the charity organization since 2002. He added that Shooting Star Children's Hospices largely depends on donations to meet the £10M ($12.4 million) annual budget it needs to continue operating.
As an effect of the global pandemic, Shooting Star had to shut down one of its two hospices, together with the charity shops where it raises the much-needed funds. Cowell also added that things may get worse.
"In addition to my on-going pledges to these charities, I have also taken on £500,000 ($622,000) of the deficit being faced by them," the media mogul wrote.
Cowell stressed the importance of these charities and called on for support, calling these organizations "an oasis, a lifeline for families facing the ultimate heartbreak."
The sexagenarian celeb also recognized entertainment titan Disney and multinational retailer Marks & Spencer for supporting Together For Short Lives, the umbrella charity of children's hospices in the United Kingdom. Cowell also supports Together For Short Lives, sharing that he annually attends fundraiser balls for both charitable institutions.
Aside from the £500,000 covering for Shooting Star's deficiencies, Cowell and his team at Syco will also donate £1,000,000 (about $1.245 million) to be shared between Feeding Britain and Feeding America.
Simon Cowell then used the remainder of his column to call on "other people in business and in entertainment with resources available," urging them to respond to what he called an enormous challenge.
"Whether it be for urgent support for key workers, the health charities, or those with front-line needs, or for smaller charities... all of these good causes have rarely needed our help more than they do today," the column concluded.
Simon Phillip Cowell is known for judging British TV competitions "The X Factor" and "Britain's Got Talent." He endeared himself to American audiences as a judge on "American Idol" and "America's Got Talent", as well as the US franchise of "The X Factor." He is also the founder and chief executive of Syco Entertainment, a British entertainment company covering all aspects of the industry - from operating its own record label, talent agency, as well as involvements in film, music, and television. Its three divisions oversee operations in their London and Los Angeles offices. "The X Factor" and "Got Talent" franchises are among their key assets in the TV entertainment industry, with "The X Factor" being aired or franchised for local production across 50 countries.
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