Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Jackie Chan and Other Asian Stars Raised Over HK$25 Million ($3.2 million)

Shear English - Action hero Jackie Chan and other Asian stars raised over HK$25 million ($3.2 million) at a charity concert Friday in Hong Kong for disaster-hit Japan, where over 28,000 are dead or missing. "We`re here to tell the people of Japan -- you`re not alone," said Chan, one of the initiators of the celebrity concert. "Don`t give up, hang in there."

A massive 9.0-earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, devastating large areas of the northeast coast and leading to an ongoing nuclear emergency at a crippled atomic plant. "They have a long to recovery ahead of them, but I hope they can stay strong and positive," said Chan, who personally donated HK$4 million to cover the production costs of the concert so that the proceeds could go to quake victims. "We`re here to help in whatever way we can," he added. "I thank the people of Hong Kong -- they have shown tremendous generosity."

The veteran movie star was joined by performers from Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia for the three-hour show in the city`s bustling Causeway Bay district, where stars performed songs interspersed with video footage of the quake. The event featured a theme song called "Succumb not to sorrow", based on a popular Japanese poem that praises the tenacity of Japan`s people in the face of hardship. 

Over 10,000 people attended the show, at which over 170 celebrities performed in aid of the Salvation Army`s Japan relief efforts -- all of them wearing white T-shirts carrying the words "Hope for Japan". US pop star Lionel Richie and musician Kenny G appeared in video clips shown during the concert urging the people of Japan to stay strong. Members of the audience were expected to make a minimum donation of HK$20 each. The organising committee, made up of art and film groups, said it aimed to raise funds for relief packs -- including food, drinking water, blankets, clothing and cooking utensils -- for up to 80,000 disaster victims.


Source : ANTARA News

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