BRITISH RED CROSS PRESENTS CLINTON WITH HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Press release
For immediate release Friday 29th October
For further information Anna Bifield / Amanda George
Contact number 0207 877 7045 / 0207 877 7524
BRITISH RED CROSS PRESENTS CLINTON WITH HUMANITARIAN AWARD
The British Red Cross, part of the world’s largest voluntary humanitarian organisation, this week awarded former US President Bill Clinton with its prestigious Humanity Fellowship Award. The award honours those people who reflect the values of the Red Cross movement and have a long association with, and a dedication to, humanitarian work. The only previously recipient has been Nelson Mandela.
The former president was chosen to receive the Humanity Fellowship Award in celebration and recognition of his humanitarian endeavours and the positive impact he has made on the world and the lives of vulnerable people, as well as being an inspirational figure in bringing the global issues of poverty, disease and the environment onto the political agenda.
Sir Nicholas Young, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross said; “President Clinton was a clear choice for us to receive this award. He has demonstrated a long-term commitment to humanitarian work through his foundation; tackling issues such as the economic empowerment of the poor, religious intolerance and the education and health of young people."
He adds; “His work negotiating more affordable medication for HIV/AIDS, and his role as the UN’s special envoy for tsunami relief, where he has kept the world’s attention focussed on the recovery of the region, are further examples of why we are delighted to be giving him this award.”
The presentation took place at the glamorous Fortune Forum event on Tuesday night in London, where Clinton was giving the keynote address, and which aimed to promote a culture of giving among wealthy and influential people. The British Red Cross was one of the four charities benefiting from the evening, which raised hundreds of thousands of pounds. This included two front-line ambulances worth £50,000 each, which were bought by individual guests to help the British Red Cross bolster its emergency response work in the UK.
Other speakers at the Fortune Forum included Michael Douglas and Deepak Chopra as well as performances by music legend Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, who made his first live appearance after an absence of 27 years, and Dave Stewart formerly of the Eurythmics.
Paul Marvell, Head of Major Donors and Events said, “Events like Fortune Forum go a long way towards changing people’s attitudes towards philanthropic giving. We are delighted with the money raised for the British Red Cross, which will support our work helping vulnerable people in crisis whoever and wherever they are. President Clinton’s powerful speech urged people to act on their common humanity rather than focussing on their difference. I hope the evening made people seriously consider the positive impact they can personally make on the world, and inspired them to direct their wealth and influence in a meaningful way.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Attached image shows from left to right: Sir Nicholas Young, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross; Renu Mehta, founder of Fortune Forum; former President Bill Clinton, actor and producer Michael Douglas.
Images available on request, please contact Anna Bifield, 0207 877 7045 or Amanda George, 0207 877 7524
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies
in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on
with their lives.
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