Stars Join UNICEF UK to Celebrate World Children's Day Raising £670,000 at First Ever Once Upon Our Time Gala
UNICEF UK President, Olivia Colman, UNICEF UK Ambassadors, James Nesbitt, Gemma Chan, and Levison Wood, and UNICEF UK High-Profile Supporters Alex Scott and Cel Spellman
- UNICEF UK President, Olivia Colman, UNICEF UK Ambassadors, James Nesbitt, Gemma Chan, and Levison Wood, and UNICEF UK High-Profile Supporters Alex Scott and Cel Spellman joined a host of attendees for UNICEF UK’s inaugural Once Upon Our Time Gala event on Wednesday 20th November to mark World Children’s Day
- The star-studded, special event, hosted by Scarlette Douglas and UNICEF UK High-Profile Supporter Lee Juggurnauth, was a moment to celebrate children’s voices and rights, to hear their stories, and to help protect their futures by raising £670,000 for UNICEF’s work for children around the world
- More than 200 guests attended Once Upon Our Time Gala at Frameless – London’s immersive art experience venue – with a performance from Lulu
Wednesday 20 November 2024: Stars of stage and screen joined more than 200 guests at the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) inaugural Once Upon Our Time Gala on Wednesday night, at Frameless London. The celebration marked World Children’s Day, an annual day to champion the voices and rights of children around the world to shape their own stories, with the night itself raising £670,000 to support UNICEF in continuing its life-changing work to ensure children’s futures and their childhoods are protected.
Guests were welcomed by UNICEF UK President Olivia Colman, with an emotive opening speech, and throughout the evening, heard ‘story time’ readings from UNICEF UK Ambassador Gemma Chan, and UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter Cel Spellman, amplifying inspiring words from children and young people around the world and highlighting UNICEF’s vital support. Cel told the story of Samar, age 11, one of five million children in Sudan forced to flee her home due to conflict, whilst Gemma recounted Ehsan’s story, age 6, who lost his brother in the devastating Pakistan floods. Guests heard how both children are now rebuilding their lives with help from UNICEF, providing mental health support and safe spaces to live, play and learn again.
The night culminated in a rousing pledge moment by UNICEF UK Ambassador, James Nesbitt, highlighting the devastating situation for the one in five children around the world caught up in conflict across the globe, including Sudan, Gaza, Lebanon and Ukraine, and encouraging guests to donate to UNICEF’s work to protect them.
Guests were also treated to a performance from pop icon Lulu who thrilled with old favourites including ‘Shout’ and ‘Boom Bang-a-bang’, and finished with crowd-pleasing hits, including Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’ and David Bowie’s ‘The Man Who Sold the World’.
The star-studded event also welcomed UNICEF UK Ambassador Levison Wood and UNICEF UK High-Profile Supporter, Alex Scott and was hosted by UNICEF UK supporter and presenter, Scarlette Douglas and UNICEF UK High-Profile Supporter, Lee Juggurnauth.
Guests also pledged their support at the evening’s live auction, with prize lots including a golfing experience with UNICEF UK Ambassador James Nesbitt, a meet and greet with UNICEF UK President Olivia Colman at the UK premiere of The Roses next year and a private tour led by Sir Grayson Perry of his new exhibition ‘Delusion of Grandeur’ at the Wallace Collection, London, all contributing to the £670,000 total.
The Once Upon Our Time Gala took place at Frameless London, an immersive art experience venue, taken over by UNICEF for the evening. Attendees were immersed in a world of real-life children’s stories, as they watched the space turn from sunrise to sunset, pausing on daily rituals shared by children around the world. From a morning bath and school with friends, to playtime and a safe bed to sleep, the everyday stories of children around the world highlighted that no matter where in the world they are, UNICEF is there making sure every child has the care and opportunities they need to fulfil their potential and enjoy happy, healthy childhoods.
UNICEF UK President, Olivia Colman, said: “What a wonderful evening for UNICEF and for children all over the world, this World Children’s Day. Tonight was a reminder of why I’m so proud to be UNICEF UK’s President – working with an organisation that puts children, their voices and their rights at the heart of everything it does – it’s true, the ‘C’ really does stand for Children. Hearing inspiring stories from around the globe tonight, it’s proof that no matter where children are or the tragedy they are facing, UNICEF will be there to protect them, so they can simply be children. Thank you to everyone who supported and helped raise an astounding amount of money to continue this important work.”
UNICEF UK Ambassador, James Nesbitt, said: “It was a huge privilege to attend the Once Upon Our Time Gala for UNICEF tonight. I’ve been a proud Ambassador for almost 20 years now, and lucky enough to travel to countries like India, Zambia and Jordan with UNICEF to see their amazing work for children. I always come away inspired and in awe of the amazing children I meet who have been through so much, but are so full of life and potential, which it’s clear UNICEF is determined to nurture and protect. I was honoured to speak tonight and share stories from children caught up in devastating conflict globally, helping to raise awareness and such an incredible amount of money for UNICEF that will be life-changing for so many children. It’s an experience I won’t forget.”
The money raised from the Once Upon Our Time Gala will help UNICEF continue its life-saving work providing safe spaces, education, health, and nutrition for children around the world, as well as responding to emergencies that children are facing right now, such as in Sudan, Gaza, Lebanon and Ukraine.
To find out more and to donate to UNICEF’s work for children, visit unicef.org.uk.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
High-profile guests who attended the UNICEF UK Once Upon Our Time Gala included:
- Olivia Colman, UNICEF UK President
- James Nesbitt, UNICEF UK Ambassador
- Gemma Chan, UNICEF UK Ambassador
- Levison Wood, UNICEF UK Ambassador
- Alex Scott, UNICEF UK High-Profile Supporter
- Cel Spellman, UNICEF UK High-Profile Supporter
- Lee Juggurnauth, UNICEF UK High-Profile Supporter
- Scarlette Douglas, UNICEF UK Supporter
Please download images from the Once Upon Our Time Gala here.
For more information about the Once Upon Our Time Gala, please contact:
Amy Shacklady, UNICEF UK PR Manager, [email protected], +44 7983 500 137
UNICEF UK Press Office, [email protected], +44 207 375 6030
About UNICEF:
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.
United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).
For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.