KASABIAN HITS THE PHONES FOR WAR CHILD ON AVIATE TRADING FLOOR

• Glastonbury headliners were joined by radio DJ, Edith Bowman and War Child beneficiary, Polline Okello, at landmark fundraising event

• War Child to receive record donations from Aviate Global’s charity trading day and Kasabian’s concert at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Tom Meighan and Chris Edwards from Glastonbury headliners, Kasabian, brought their rock and roll swagger to Aviate Global for a charity trading event to raise funds for War Child.

The equity brokerage, Aviate Global, is donating all its trading commissions from the day to the charity and members of Kasabian, flushed with rave reviews for their new album and building towards their Glastonbury slot, dropped by to lend their support.

The trading event, Aviate Encore, kicked off a landmark fundraising day, which is expected to raise more money for War Child than any other in its history, and culminates in Kasabian’s hotly anticipated gig at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

The band members were joined at the trading day by radio DJ Edith Bowman and War Child beneficiary, Polline Okello, who was held captive for four years during civil war in Uganda and now campaigns with War Child to protect other children affected by war.

Guy Gibson, co-founder of Aviate Global, said: “War Child helps children in some of the most desperate situations imaginable and since I visited some of their projects in DR Congo it has become something of a duty to do our bit – to help children who have suffered atrocities of war. We’re extremely grateful to the stars that have graced our trading floor today, helping raise the profile of the important causes War Child represents and I’d like to send a huge thanks to our clients for making it possible for us to donate any commissions at all.”

Rob Williams, CEO of War Child, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Aviate is donating its commissions on this important fundraising day for us. Contributions from Aviate, its employees and clients during the trading day, however big or small, will enable us to continue our work providing services and protection to some of the world’s most vulnerable children.”