A star studded telethon has raised $US44 million ($A55 million) which will help those affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.
A celebrity‑packed telethon for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma raised some $US44 million, organisers say, after more than 130 stars including George Clooney, Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey and Justin Bieber joined forces to sing, man the phones or appeal for donations.
The hour‑long Hand in Hand telethon, which aired across broadcast, cable and digital platforms, raised more than $US14 million during the live broadcast.
Organisers said that the total rose to $US44 million in pledges made after West Coast and other re‑broadcasts.
Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic Ocean storms on record, ravaged several islands in the northern Caribbean, killing at least 60 people.
The telethon aired from New York, Nashville and Los Angeles, where Stevie Wonder kicked off the event singing Lean On Me, with a gospel choir as stars such as Tom Hanks, Barbra Streisand and Cher clapped along while sitting at their phone stations.
Source: News.com.au
