Mumford and Mulligan raise $7.65m for children in war zones
Marcus Mumford and Carey Mulligan raised $7.65 million for children living in war zones with a one-night concert in Los Angeles on Oct. 4. The money came from Wassail, the couple's annual fundraising show.
This year's edition was held at the El Rey Theatre. It was the first time the benefit has been staged in Los Angeles, according to Billboard. The beneficiary was Children in Conflict, a nonprofit organisation that works in war zones and high-conflict areas.
The organisation focuses on protection, education and mental health support for children. Mumford and Mulligan have been global ambassadors for the organisation for more than a decade, a role that involves lending public support and fundraising help over many years. War Child UK, a linked charity, also lists the pair as its Global Ambassadors and describes Wassail as their winter fundraiser.
Comedian Jack Whitehall hosted the evening at the El Rey. Music came from Mumford & Sons, Brandi Carlile, Sierra Ferrell and Jensen McRae. On benefit nights of this kind, artists typically donate performances while ticket money and pledges go to the named cause.
Actors Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer gave readings from the stage. Magician Pete Heat moved between tables performing close-up magic for guests.
Mumford told the room what the money would do. He said the funds will help Children in Conflict bring support to more than one million children in war zones. The $7.65 million total was a record for the fundraiser, Yahoo reported, a figure also reported by Variety.
There was little rest afterwards. On Oct. 5, Mumford appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the US late-night television show, to perform "Here," a song from Prizefighter, the sixth Mumford & Sons album. Chris Thile joined him for the broadcast, filling in for Chris Stapleton.
What makes this stand out is the maths behind one evening in one theatre. A single room produced enough money to support work with more than one million children. For the families Children in Conflict serves, that is the story behind the guest list.
