Celebrity couple donate $1 million to charity

English comedy actor Sacha Baron Cohen, famous for characters such Ali G, and his wife, Australian actress Isla Fisher, who first found fame in the soap Home and Away, have donated $1 million (€910,000) to two charities.

The couple have given €455,000 to Save The Children to help vaccinate against measles in northern Syria and the same amount to the New York-based International Rescue Committee (IRC), run by former UK foreign secretary David Miliband.

The IRC donation will help to fund education, health care, shelter and sanitation for refugees in Syria and neighbouring countries.

Mr Miliband said “Sacha and Isla’s donation is a great expression of humanity, and a challenge to do more for the most vulnerable.

“I hope it is an example to many others seeking practical ways of making a difference during the Christmas and New Year season.”

Justin Forsyth, CEO of Save the Children, said “By allowing us to make their generous donation to Syrian children public, Sacha and Isla are helping highlight the tragedy of the issue today”.

“These are desperate times for Syrian families facing bombs, bullets and torture in Syria. The couple’s donation will save many thousands of lives and protect some of the most vulnerable children.”