Hollywood stars raise $1.27 mn for oil slick clean-up

LONDON - Hollywood stars like Cameron Diaz, Robert Redford and Justin Bieber have raised over $1.27 million in a telethon, to support the clean-up efforts along the US’ Gulf Coast in the wake of the oil disaster.

A large number of celebrities turned up to appear with veteran TV personality Larry King for a special two-hour live broadcast Monday, reports express.co.uk.

Jenny McCarthy and Ted Danson were manning the phones to take donations. Country singer Tim McGraw appealed for help, insisting the people of his native Louisiana need help.

“It’s devastating. Anybody that’s ever been down there will tell you that it’s some of the finest people you will ever meet down in South Louisiana. And they will give you their shirt off their back… And they’re in trouble… It’s just heartbreaking,” McGraw said.

Actors Cameron Diaz and Robert Redford asked people to contribute as much amount as they can for the noble cause.

Teenage singer Justin Bieber also joined the show in a bid to encourage younger viewers to get involved. He said: “The oil disaster in the Gulf has been a big problem. But every little bit can help. There’s no such thing as being too young to pitch in. And this is urgent. What we do now can affect our future.”

The show also saw a performance from rock singer Sting, who dedicated his track Fragile to all those affected by the disaster: “I want to dedicate this next song to all the people in the gulf who have lost their livelihoods because of this terrible oil spill. All the animals, all the birds we’re losing, and to remember that our ecology is very fragile.”

Other stars to have made an appearance on the show include Lenny Kravitz, Gavin Rossdale and “The Vampire Diaries” star Ian Somerhalder, who initially called for a celebrity telethon to raise money for the cause.

The donations will be given to charities such as United Way, National Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy.