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Charlie Simpson, 7, raises £125k for Haiti appeal in one day
The mother of
Mum Leonora, whose seven-year-old had raised an astonishing £125,000 for earthquake victims yesterday with a sponsored ride, said she was stunned at how Charlie's idea had taken off.
She added: What started off as a little cycle round the park with his dad has turned into something a lot bigger than that and we can't believe it.
Hes done really well. Hes worked hard and he's raised a phenomenal amount of money. He really felt strongly about this and thought that something had to be done. It was great to see him so motivated. I am extremely proud of our Charlie.
Charlie initially hoped to raise a more modest sum of s500for Unicef's Haiti appeal by pedalling five miles round South Park, near his home in Fulham, West London.
But things began to take off after he put his appeal on the JustGiving website, which helps raise online charity cash.
Then as his story was picked up by TV stations money began to flood in. Within hours of Charlie climbing off his bike donations had reached s53,000 in just 24 hours.
Leonora said her son had been deeply moved by the plight of the Haitians. She added: He was really upset by the pictures on TV. He actually burst into tears. He sat on my lap and we had a chat about the things he could do. He decided to do the cycle ride and he made me do a sponsorship form and that was it. We sent it out on the web and it just went everywhere.
Charlie said: I just think it was quite sad when I saw the pictures on the TV.
On his JustGiving page, he added: I want to do a sponsored bike ride for
Unicef's Michael Newsome said: Theres something quitespecial about a child in the
Most of the donations to Charlie's JustGiving page which can be found at www.justgiving.com/CharlieSimpson-HAITI were for s10 or s20,although some had given as much as s500. Charlie's grandparents were among the first to donate, giving s100. They said: Well done Charlie we are proud of you, Nanna & Pops.
Dad Daniel also gave s100 and wrote: Go on Charlie!!! I will be right by your side!!
The messages from other donors showed how inspirational Charlie's efforts had been. One said: People like you can change the world.
Another added: Charlie, you're a little star. Thanks for making me put my hand in my pocket.
And Charlie is one of many raising money to help the quake victims. Simon Cowell yesterday said he was racing to finish his charity single for
The first stars to record their parts to the cover of REMs Everybody Hurts were JLS and Cheryl Cole on Saturday.
Yesterday Leona Lewis added her voice. Miley Cyrus, Take That, Westlife, Rod Stewart and X Factor winner Joe McElderry will record today. Mariah Carey will take part in the next few days.
Cowell, 50, said: "I'm incredibly grateful to everyone. It's a race against time but were trying to get the record out as soon as possible."
The weekends celebrity-studded Hope For Haiti telethon, organised by George Clooney, has raised s35million so far.
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