UNICEF launches 'Movie Action for Children' an initiative to raise funds to combat HIV and AIDS in Africa.
Actor and UNICEF ambassador Liam Neeson has given his support to the fundraising venture, which will see memorabilia from the movie industry being auctioned off.
Sotheby's in London has opened a preview of what will be on offer at an auction in New York next month.
The cream of Hollywood actors, directors and producers have donated original props, costumes, scripts and signed memorabilia to raise money for UNICEF's work in Africa.
Items in the auction include Mel Gibson's sword from Braveheart, the wrap-around shades that Bono wore in the U2 video for the song 'Beautiful Day', and the light sabre used by Liam Neeson in the film 'Star Wars - The Phantom Menace'.
Liam Neeson is spearheading the project to prevent the transmission of HIV from mothers to children in three African countries. Liam Neeson says this project is a reminder to him and colleagues in the movie industry of their very cossetted and lucky lives.
Every year, over half a million babies are born in Africa with the HIV virus passed on from their mothers. Only a quarter of these babies live to the age of five. The drug, Nevirapine, costs less than $4 and can dramatically reduce the risk of mothers passing the virus to their children. It is hoped that the money raised from the auction will help UNICEF fund supplies of the drug for those in need across Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Ivory Coast.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 19 February 2001. The reporter is Brian O'Connell.
