Paul McCartney gives million pounds to tsunami appeal

LONDON, Jan 13 (AFP) - Former Beatle Paul McCartney and his wife Heather are donating one million pounds (1.9 million dollars) to the fundraising appeal to help victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami, a charity said.
The veteran pop star is giving the money to the International Rescue Committee UK, an independent British charity, which said Wednesday it was "overwhelmed by this generous gesture" from the couple.
The British government's aid for the stricken region has increased from 50 million pounds to 75 million pounds, while the British public have donated well over 100 million pounds.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said 51 Britons were confirmed dead following the tragedy which affected several countr;es in Asia, but that a total of 453 Britons are likely to have perished in the disaster that struck on December 26.

01/13/2005 02:09 GMT - AFP