Perdita
08-12-2008, 06:20
JUNGLE king Joe Swash has pledged his I’m A Celebrity charity cash to murdered Ben Kinsella’s anti-crime campaign.
The ex-EastEnder knew 16-year-old Ben — and made £30,000 for the cause as ITV viewers phoned to vote for him.
For each call costing 50p for this year’s celebs, ITV put 15p in a pot for charities picked by the contestants. The bulk goes to the winner’s, and 26-year-old Joe’s nominated charity is the Ben Kinsella Trust.
It was set up by Ben’s family after he was stabbed to death in North London in June aged just 16.
The charity raises money to help increase awareness of knife crime. Joe — who played Mickey Miller in the BBC1 soap — is also close pals with Ben’s 25-year-old sister Brooke and worked with her when she played Kelly Taylor.
He said: “This campaign means a lot to me.
“I knew Ben and it was terrible what happened to him.
“I hope any money I may have got from people will be able to make a difference.
“Knife crime is getting out of hand.”
Ten million viewers saw Joe crowned jungle king on Friday night.
He left Oz last night with mum Kiffy and said: “I’m going to miss it. It’s been a once in a lifetime experience and I’ll never forget it.”
:clap: Well done, Joe, not only king of the jungle but king of the people.
The ex-EastEnder knew 16-year-old Ben — and made £30,000 for the cause as ITV viewers phoned to vote for him.
For each call costing 50p for this year’s celebs, ITV put 15p in a pot for charities picked by the contestants. The bulk goes to the winner’s, and 26-year-old Joe’s nominated charity is the Ben Kinsella Trust.
It was set up by Ben’s family after he was stabbed to death in North London in June aged just 16.
The charity raises money to help increase awareness of knife crime. Joe — who played Mickey Miller in the BBC1 soap — is also close pals with Ben’s 25-year-old sister Brooke and worked with her when she played Kelly Taylor.
He said: “This campaign means a lot to me.
“I knew Ben and it was terrible what happened to him.
“I hope any money I may have got from people will be able to make a difference.
“Knife crime is getting out of hand.”
Ten million viewers saw Joe crowned jungle king on Friday night.
He left Oz last night with mum Kiffy and said: “I’m going to miss it. It’s been a once in a lifetime experience and I’ll never forget it.”
:clap: Well done, Joe, not only king of the jungle but king of the people.