Sunday Mail (UK)

George’s secret charity support

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Geor ge Michael secret ly donated nearly £ 20,000 to a small Aids charity every year until his death after losing his first love to the illness.

The tragic superstar also handed over a Mercedes to the volunteers of Project Angel Food and spent time working in their kitchen helping to feed hard-up HIV sufferers too sick to shop and cook for themselves

The big-hearted singer’s huge role in keeping the charity af loat has been revealed by their executive director Richard Ayoub.

He said: “We can’t thank him enough. He was so supportive and is the single largest donor in our history.

“He sent a $25k donation to us religiousl­y every year to the tune of more than half a million dollars. His passion and love and support was felt here every single year.”

George, who died on Christmas Day, 2016, made his first donation to the Los Angeles- based charity in 1993 – the year he lost his 36- year- old boyf r iend Anselmo Feleppa.

I n h i s Cha n ne l 4 documentar­y Freedom, screened in October, he admitted he had never got over the Brazilian designer’s death.

He said: “He still, 23 years later, brings a tear to my eye. He was my saviour.”

The Wham! star met Feleppa in 1991 whi le performing at Brazil’s Rock in Rio festival.

George recalled: “Anselmo was the first time I think I rea l ly loved someone selflessly. “

 ??  ?? BIG HEART Michael
BIG HEART Michael

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