International entertainer Will.I.Am donated 500,000£ ($709,305) to United Kingdom’s Prince Trust charity. The Voice UK judge announced that the donation amounted to more than half the salary he received while working on the show. The money will be used to launch a technology program focused on the development of East London’s children. Will.I.Am hopes to get East London’s youth “up to speed.”
“I gave the majority of the money I made on the voice to the @PrinceTrust,” Will.I.Am tweeted to fans.
The donation will help deprived children start up businesses and get training in profitable fields.
The Prince Trust charity has conducted motivational programs for more than thirty years, providing mentoring support and financial grants to disadvantaged children. Each year the charity has worked with over 40,000 young people, with around 80 percent moving on to employment, education, training, or volunteering. Thanks to Will.I.Am’s philanthropic efforts, the foundation will continue to bring about change within East London’s community. “The people of the UK welcomed me into their homes every week,” Will.I.Am told press. “And I wanted to give something back.”
According to Contactmusic.com, Will.I.Am called his manager and asked what he should do with the salary he had earned. “I don’t need it,” he confessed, more willing to award the money to a charity than spend the cash on his own needs. “It’s the least I could do,” said the well-off celebrity. “The show changed my life.”
Will.I.Am will undoubtedly change the lives of others through his good deed.
The Voice UK is a British television show that airs on the BBC network. Will.I.Am remained a judge on the show during its entire eleven week run. The American artist helped judge talented hopefuls alongside Danny O’Donoghue, Jessie J and Sir Tom Jones.
