Disability charity leaders have paid tribute to George Michael for his secret donations spanning almost two decades.
Jaspal Dhani, former chief executive of the UK Disabled People’s Council (UKDPC), said the singer helped his organisation stay afloat.
Tara Flood, chief executive of the Alliance for Inclusive Education (ALLFIE), told a similar story.
George Michael insisted that his generosity should not be publicised. However, since his death on Christmas Day a host of people have spoken of his donations to good causes.
‘Kindness’ of George Michael
Dhani twice saw Michael’s kindness first hand through the singer’s Platinum Trust group. Michael set up the group for the “relief of children with special needs” and adults with learning or physical disabilities.
In the early 2000s, Dhani was head of the group Disability Action in Barnet. At that time the Platinum Trust gave a lifeline grant to fund overheads.
The second time Dhani experienced the support of the Platinum Trust was when he later joined the UKDPC. The Trust was already a long-term supporter of the group.
He said: “As a trust they were very, very understanding of the important role disabled people’s organisations played in providing services to local disabled people, but also in promoting the disability rights agenda.”
‘Quiet and long-lasting support’
Flood said Michael’s “quiet and long-lasting support” gave the Alliance for Inclusive Education the “freedom to challenge the very worst that governments of all political flavours could throw at us”.
She added: “Twenty years of support from the Platinum Trust enabled us to stay true to our inclusive education principles.”
Following his death at his Oxfordshire home, it has emerged that Michael, 53, reportedly handed over millions of pounds to a wide range of charities.
As well as disabled people’s groups, his generosity benefited charities such as the Terrence Higgins Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support and Childline.
Image of George Michael by Caroline True
Published: 12 January 2017
