The much loved British author and illustrator Charlie Mackesy has come together with Comic Relief to release an exclusive t-shirt to raise vital funds to help vulnerable people whose lives have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The t-shirt goes on sale today for £15 and is available online at the Comic Relief website, with every pound going to charities on the front line of the coronavirus fight.
Money raised by the t-shirt will go to charities in the UK and around the world that urgently need support to respond to the tragic impact of the coronavirus crisis and navigate the complex challenges they face in making sure vulnerable people are still reached and cared for.
The limited-edition t-shirt created in collaboration with Charlie Mackesy features his beloved characters, the Boy and the Mole alongside the poignant slogan, ‘Love Wins’. The t-shirt is available for both adults and a version for children. There's even a hoodie for adults for £25.
A host of stars and long-term celebrity supporters have already shown their support at home, including Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford, Claudia Winkleman, Dame Joan Collins, Himesh Patel, Louise Minchin, Miranda Hart, Nadiya Hussain, Reggie Yates and Rob Rinder.
Charlie Mackesy said: “I've loved being involved in this collaboration, making a drawing which I hope captures the spirit of togetherness and kindness of the public at this incredibly difficult time. The community love we have seen shine through these heart-breaking times is remarkable. It has never been so important to look after each other.”
In the UK, many charities are seeing a huge increase in demand for their help - some are working day and night to deliver food and basic essentials to those in need, and others are doing everything possible to make sure no one is left feeling alone.
Money raised by the t-shirt will help those most vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus, including children and families in crisis and reliant on food banks, the elderly and isolated, women and children at risk of domestic abuse, people struggling with their mental health and those living in poverty or without stable housing, in the UK.
Comic Relief is working closely with the organisations it funds internationally to ensure they too can support the most vulnerable communities as coronavirus spreads.
Buying the t-shirt will also help charities working on the frontline response to the crisis around the world, including working to get emergency basic equipment such as soap and face masks to refugees living in overcrowded and often unhygienic camps, helping children living on the streets get to a place of safety, and providing emergency support and advice to women at risk of increased violence due to the lock down.
