Holly Branson: Wembley charity volunteers can change world

 
Lindsay Watling6 March 2014

Holly Branson today urged more young people to find a good cause that inspires them and “make a difference in the world”.

The daughter of Virgin boss Sir Richard was speaking before We Day UK, organised by international charity Free The Children, at Wembley Arena tomorrow.

It is the first such event to be held in the UK and aims to encourage youngsters to get involved with charities. Among those supporting the celebration are Prince Harry, Nobel Peace Prize-nominated education activist Malala Yousafzai, singer Ellie Goulding and former US Vice President Al Gore.

Dizzee Rascal, Jennifer Hudson and Paralympian Martine Wright, who lost her legs in the 7/7 bombings, will also appear on stage.

Those attending the concert earn their tickets by pledging to undertake one local and one global action for a cause of their choice through the year-long We Act citizenship programme. About 12,000 pupils, teachers and supporters from more than 400 UK schools are expected at the arena. Events will also be held in the US and Canada.

Branson, 31, who is one of the UK patrons and helped to organise the event, said: “I don’t think it should be called charity work because that puts a lot of people off.

“What I love about Free The Children is that kids are not being forced to think particularly about any one thing — homelessness or people in Africa. They can choose anything they feel passionate about.”

She has visited participating UK schools including Paddington Academy.

Free The Children was founded by brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger from Canada. Craig, who was 12 when it was formed in 1995, said the idea came from reading about child slavery in Pakistan.

The charity works in eight developing countries, building schools and providing clean water, health care and sanitation.

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