President Zelensky appoints British actor Mark Strong as United24 ambassador
The actor will be supporting the charity initiative’s education and science programme.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Film and TV star Mark Strong will focus his efforts on supporting Ukrainian schools after being appointed as an ambassador of the United24 charity by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Kingsman and Deep State star, 60, was thanked by the Ukrainian president for his “powerful support” of Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February 2022.
During the online call, Strong told Mr Zelensky: “It is an honour for me to become a voice for Ukrainian children on the world stage, so that they can have a better future.
“As the father of two sons, I am aware of how important quality education is, and how important it is for children to go to school and communicate with friends, gaining both the knowledge and skills that are necessary for adult life.
“Ukrainian children deserve to receive everything they need.”
Mr Zelensky set up the United24 charity initiative to “increase donations to Ukraine and ensure the efficiency and transparency of their distribution” to aid its response to the Russian invasion, its website said.
On the call, the Ukrainian president said: “Ukrainians fight for their freedom and defend their independence every day. We are grateful to everyone who strengthens our voice globally.
“This kind of powerful support is necessary to help Ukrainian children get a quality education despite the full-scale war.
“One-and-a-half million Ukrainian children study remotely, and our task is to return them to their school classrooms.
“I thank Mark for supporting this important programme.”
According to its website, United24 has raised more than 471 million dollars (£387 million), with donors choosing five directions of support, including education and science – which Strong will be supporting.
Strong recently played in the Game4Ukraine charity match – which was held in London on the British actor’s 60th birthday – to raise funds for the restoration of the Mykhailo-Kotsiubynsky school in Chernihiv Oblast which was struck by missiles.
He will help rebuild Ukrainian schools and support Ukrainian teachers as an ambassador for the official fundraising platform of Ukraine, the charity said.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.