FAQs
Q. How much did UNICEF set out to raise through Soccer Aid?
A. UNICEF hoped to raise £1 million. In fact the amount raised was £2.6 million.
The huge success was largely due to the generosity of the British public, with individual contributions accounting for an impressive £1.3 million in response to the UNICEF appeal films shown every night. Proceeds from the match at Old Trafford, including net profits from ticket and programme sales, raised almost £1 million with over £350,000 donated by ITV from viewer participation via competition phone lines and text messaging.
Q. What is the money being spent on?
A. Funds raised have gone towards the following main areas of UNICEF’s work – health, education, nutrition, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS, and protection for vulnerable children.
Each appeal film featured a specific project delivering one of these areas of our work – both the project and country featured in the films have received funding. Therefore monies raised by Soccer Aid will support UNICEF’s HIV/AIDS programme in South Africa, education programme in Zambia, child protection programme in Ukraine, water programme in Mozambique, health programme in Indonesia and nutrition programme in Malawi.
Q. Did the UNICEF Ambassadors take part in the films for free?
A. Yes. UNICEF Ambassadors have chosen to support UNICEF and no fees are ever paid.
Q. I noticed that tickets for Soccer Aid were being sold on Ebay at inflated prices. Why did you let this happen when the proceeds are meant to be going to UNICEF?
A. Both UNICEF and ITV were in discussion with Ebay and asked them to ban the resale of tickets. The response from Ebay was that the law does not require them to do this as the law on the sale of football tickets does not extend to charity matches.
Q. How much of my donation actually goes to helping children?
A. UNICEF’s priority is to get help to the children who need it. Of the £2.6m raised, under 8% was used to cover administration and fundraising costs.
Q. How is UNICEF funded?
A. UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations and receives no funding from the UN, making fundraising initiatives like Soccer Aid so vital.
Q. Why doesn’t UNICEF get money from the UN and where does UNICEF UK’s money come from?
A. UNICEF was first established as a temporary agency following the Second World War and as such was not part of the normal UN funding structure. This remained the case when UNICEF became a permanent agency, and all our income is voluntary. The main sources of income are government, individuals, trusts, businesses, community or religious organisations, and through schools.
