STV Children's Appeal raises more than £4m during tenth year

The STV Children’s Appeal has raised more than £4m during the charity’s tenth year.

In 2021, the charity raised £4,336,105, bringing the grand total raised by the Appeal since its formation to more than £29m.

On Friday, Lorraine Kelly hosted a telefundraiser broadcast from from Kilmarnock-based performing arts academy CentreStage, a charity which has been supported by the Appeal since 2014.

Simon Cowell was one of the Appeal’s more high-profile donors this year, after promising to double the total raised by Glasgow buskers Adam, 12, and Jessie-Lou, ten.

The pair had donated all the proceeds from their gigs across the country this year to the STV Children’s Appeal.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also joined Lorraine on this year’s programme to explain why the Scottish Government has again pledged to match fund £1m of the final total raised.

During the show, Sturgeon said: “It’s possibly the best £1m the Scottish Government spends in any year because every single penny of it goes to helping children and young people across the country.

“It’s a fantastic appeal and it supports good causes the length and breadth of Scotland and really changes lives. I’m delighted to support it.”

A wide range of “community heroes” from across Scotland also helped to raise money for the Appeal this year, including The Rotary Club of Claverhouse, whose Dundee Cyclathon event featuring over 100 cyclists raised £12,500.

Meanwhile Glasgow schoolboy Robbie Sawatsky, ten, raised over £1100 by swimming ten 200m lengths of his local pool in one session and Stirling-based youngster Tiahna Mathieson raised more than £1250 by completing a 10,000ft skydive.

Hundreds of people who took part in The Kiltwalk on behalf of the Appeal raised more than £97,000, while corporate supporters in 2021 included Lidl, Tunnock’s, Beatson’s Building Supplies and The Electric Heating Company.

Paul Reynolds, chair of the STV Children’s Appeal, said: “As always, the unwavering generosity of our viewers, partners, corporate fundraisers, STV colleagues and our incredible community heroes is simply staggering, and we’re grateful that the work of the Appeal still captures so many hearts across the country.

“One in four children and young people live in poverty in Scotland – a devastating statistic. This money will help make a real difference to their lives, with 100% of donations being spent on the children in Scotland who need it most.”You can donate to the STV Children’s Appeal 2021 by visiting stv.tv/appeal.