We can’t say that Russia declaring war against Ukraine was completely unexpected seeing everything that was leading up to the morning of February 24th, but it still shook the world. Seeing how Ukrainians are fighting for their country and their freedom leaves others inspired and willing to support their cause in ways they can.
That includes celebrities like Benedict Cumberbatch, who encourages people to donate money to charities helping Ukraine and to pressure politicians to create a place for people running away from war to have a safe refuge while doing the same himself and even hoping to join the volunteers who offer refugees their own homes.
Celebrities are actively donating money to Ukraine, but it seems that Benedict Cumberbatch is willing to do even more and welcome refugees to his home
Image credits: Gage Skidmore
The British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) took place on March 13 and one of the guests of the event was Benedict Cumberbatch. He was actually nominated in the Best Actor category. When he was interviewed by Sky News, he was happy to talk about his work, but he also couldn’t ignore the tragedy that is happening in Ukraine.
Benedict is completely on Ukraine’s side and he was even prepared to not only donate money, which is a very important and easy way to help, but also to take in refugees to his home, “Everyone needs to do as much as they can, and I think already today the news has broken that there’s been a record number of people volunteering to take people into their homes. I hope to be part of that myself.”
Although money is useful so Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher launching a GoFundMe with a goal of $30M will be of great help
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Benedict isn’t the only celebrity who made his stance on the war clear and is helping the Ukrainians to fight the Russian soldiers and make them turn around. Mila Kunis, who was actually born in Ukraine and left to the US when she was only 7 years old, kickstarted a GoFundMe with her husband Ashton Kutcher on March 3. Their goal is $30 million and the couple themselves contributed $3 million. As of March 14, they have already raised $21 million and this money will “will provide an immediate impact on refugee and humanitarian aid efforts.”
The couple decided to give this money to Flexport.org and Airbnb.org and they explain why: “Flexport.org is organizing shipments of relief supplies to refugee sites in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova. Airbnb.org is providing free, short-term housing to refugees fleeing Ukraine.”
Supermodel Gigi Hadid is donating all of her earnings from her Fashion Week 2022 so that her working in a such an industry in times like this can have meaning
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Image credits: gigihadid
Supermodel Gigi Hadid is also joining the efforts to help Ukraine as she posted on Instagram on March 6 that she will be donating her “earnings from the Fall 2022 shows to aid those suffering from the war in Ukraine, as well as continuing to support those experiencing the same in Palestine.”
Bethenny Frenkel used her BStrong organization to collect money and provide emergency assistance to the people suffering from war in Ukraine
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Bethenny Frenkel, who gained her fame for starring in numerous seasons of the TV reality show The Real Housewives of New York City, is the founder of the non-profit organization BStrong. She used her organization to help Ukrainians suffering from war.
According to their report, the organization raised $6 million and committed to $15 million in supplies like toiletries, food water and generators, and 100 containers. They also are helping with relocating Ukrainian refugees, finding people who can take them into their homes in the EU and making sure that people don’t freeze in tents outside but have a safe place to be.
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are matching up to $1M of the money donated to refugees
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Image credits: VancityReynolds
The most loved couple in Hollywood, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds used their platforms to spread the word about refugees needing donations and also promised to match up the amount up to $1 million.
Kit Harington joined a campaign of video and radio ads to encourage people to donate money and help war refugees
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Kit Harington, the Game Of Thrones star, became the face of video and radio ads for the Disasters Emergency Committee campaign, along with other actors like Adrian Lester, Simon Pegg, Hugh Bonnevile, and David Tennant, who helped raise $120 million for 15 humanitarian non-profits in the UK just in 5 days.
Hayden Panettiere launched a relief fund just for the purpose of collecting money for Ukrainians on the frontline
Image credits: Hoplon International
Actress Hayden Panettiere launched the relief fund Hoplon International “to bring relief and aid directly to Ukrainians on the frontlines” as it is said on their page. She also made a video saying “I can’t continue to sit on the sidelines just watching this disaster unfold. Please don’t sit by idly. Help me by donating any amount that you can. Together we can make a difference in their fight.”
Answering a question how the donations will be used, it was explained that “Your donations directly and immediately fund life-saving supplies, from body armor to medical kits. Our networks inside Ukraine allow us to agilely assess the most critical resources, and to coordinate their distribution.”
J. K. Rowling is also matching up to over a million dollars for Ukrainian children
Image credits: The Rowling Library
Image credits: jk_rowling
The writer of the incredibly popular book series Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling announced that she will be matching up to £1 million ($1.31 million) of the money donated to Lumos, an international non-governmental charity (NGO) founded by the author herself.
The organization is now focused on “working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to provide support to children trapped in orphanages, to provide emergency food, hygiene and medical kits, to help keep some of the most vulnerable children safe.”
South Korean actress Lee Young-ae sent a $80,000 check to support Ukraine financially
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South Koreans who share a border with an aggressive nuclear country are also not indifferent to what is happening in Ukraine. South Korean actress Lee Young-ae sent a letter with a check of ₩100million (about $80,000) as a donation to Ukraine that the Ukrainian ambassador-designate in Seoul, Dmytro Ponomarenko, shared on his Twitter and assured that the money will be of great use.
David Beckham used his 7 Fund to raise money for Ukrainian children and kickstarted the appeal with his own donation together with his wife Victoria Beckham
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Soccer player David Beckham is known for being a charitable person and founding the 7 Fund in February 2015, to mark David’s tenth year as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The fund helps children to be able to reach their dreams, get an education, to grow up in an environment without violence or bullying and forced marriages mainly in Indonesia, Nepal, Uganda and El Salvador.
With the war in Ukraine, David Beckham with his wife Victoria Beckham ask their followers to donate to the fund to help children in need in the country. Victoria Beckham said in an Instagram post: “@davidbeckham and I have kick-started the appeal with a donation on behalf of our family, which will go towards providing immediate aid to support children’s wellbeing, including medical supplies and safe spaces for families.”
While some people were skeptical of Benedict Cumberbatch actually taking action, most people praised him for his open heart
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Even more celebrities took advantage of being followed by such masses of people and asked them to donate to various charities, linking the ones that are trustworthy. And there are certainly more of them who donated money, but didn’t talk about it on social media.
Celebrities taking a stance on the war is important as they influence other people’s opinions and when Benedict Cumberbatch says that he will be volunteering space in his home for Ukrainian refugees, it might inspire other people to do the same, which would mean a Ukrainian family would have a safe and warm place to stay at.
What do you think of these celebrities' efforts? Do you think they are doing enough or should they think of something more? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
The theme of standing up for oneself and making a positive impact reverberates in different ways across both articles. Just as the advice to stand firm is highlighted in one story, celebrities rally to support Ukraine and take a stand in global matters.
Their proactive measures are reminiscent of the instinctual drive to protect and advocate for what they believe in—much like the importance of standing up for oneself as discussed by Mila Kunis with her children.