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News archive > David Gilmour donates millions to charity
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(Posted: May 20, 2003. Got a tip to share? Email
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Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour has donated £3.6 million ($5.88 million) to the London charity Crisis. The gift will be used to house homeless people and those earning low wages in central London. Gilmour's gift will fund an "urban village" project that will house 400 people, including the homeless and public service workers. "Homeless people end up living on the fringes of our society and it’s time we found a way to bring them back into its heart," says Gilmour. He cites a similar project in the United States as providing inspiration: "I've seen what has been achieved in New York York and am passionately behind this project which is about providing not just a roof but a new way of life where all the residents can thrive and make their contribution." The community will be made up of self-contained flats, 50 percent of which will house people who have been homeless. On-site support services will help them prepare them for jobs and training. The other half of units will be set aside for workers like nurses and teachers to meet the urgent need for affordable housing. Many Londoners — including working residents — have trouble finding affordable housing in the city's tight housing market. Organizers are still determining a location for the project. Gilmour was in the news in January 2002 when he donated nearly $6.5 million to Crisis. The funds came from the sale of his London home to Earl Spencer, brother of the late Princess Diana. Gilmour's personal worth is estimated to be $122 million, according to news agency Reuters. Crisis was founded in 1967. Organization officials estimate 400,000 people in the U.K. are "hidden homeless," living in temporary hostels, B&Bs or squats. Last fiscal year, the organization raised £5.7 million and helped approximately 16,000 people. For more information about the organization:
(Posted:
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