READING, United Kingdom — Many know Idris and Sabrina Elba for their influence on the acting world, with many iconic films and tv series between them under their belts. However, their lesser-known charitable work is changing the lives of many disadvantaged individuals across the world.
Acting as Global Ambassadors for IFAD
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) works tirelessly to achieve food security for those who live in rural poverty globally. To date, it has provided $23.2 billion to the most vulnerable to lift them out of extreme poverty and boost their food security.
Sabrina Elba has recently received global ambassador status within the organization, becoming interlinked with its efforts in April 2020. She will work closely with IFAD to address issues with public food security, gender equality and conservation of the environment.
She has already traveled to Sierra Leone to witness IFAD-funded projects in the flesh, speaking with those who can begin to lift themselves from poverty through the organization’s work.
Ongoing Assistance with UNICEF Campaigns
Idris Elba has worked alongside UNICEF in multiple campaigns to raise funds and make a difference, such as Soccer Aid in 2022. He teamed up with a star-studded cast of celebrities to play a live charity football match, raising a sizeable £15.6 million for the organization.
He also starred in the UNICEF Imagine project, which brought together many familiar faces to cover the iconic John Lennon song “Imagine.” This was to raise awareness about people struggling with displacement due to conflict globally and it allowed the public to interact with the cause
Working Closely with the Prince’s Trust
The Prince’s Trust is a U.K. charity with the goal to empower disadvantaged kids in the U.K. and give them a chance to thrive where the opportunity may not have been available before. They operate by awarding grants for education, and Elba himself received a grant from this charity as a youth to attend acting school.
Nowadays, Idris Elba stands as a goodwill ambassador for the charity and assists them by speaking at events, raising awareness of their work and engaging with those who the organization supports.
This charity is close to home for Idris, who grew up in Hackney, London and went through similar experiences to the youths this campaign is working to help.
Crafting a Charity Collection with Louboutin
Idris and Sabrina Elba, in cohorts with their good friend Christian Louboutin, observed the events that triggered the Black Lives Matter movement and decided they wanted to do what they could to help the cause. So from this, the “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” collection was born.
The collection of sneakers, boots and accessories was designed as a charity collection, with all the money raised from sales being donated to six organizations, including two supporting vulnerable children in Africa and three empowering young people globally to pursue a career in the arts.
This collection has helped raise over €1 million for the six charities in its first season, and also returned for a second season in June 2022, providing more awareness and funds to the causes they are fighting for.
Setting Up the Elba Hope Foundation
The pair are also working on setting up their own charity, the Elba Hope Foundation, which aims to increase food security in the most vulnerable rural communities. This charity is currently in its infancy, so great things are hopefully to come.
By starting their own charity, Idris and Sabrina Elba will further increase their activism in the fight against poverty, and remain a powerful couple in the philanthropy scene.
– Annabel Kartal-Allen
Photo: Flickr