TV celebrity demands money from ailing girl

dubai — A popular television anchor allegedly asked for Dh20,000 to fulfil the wish of a seven-year-old girl who is suffering from cancer.

According to a report in an Arabic daily, the TV presenter sought the amount after the little girl expressed a wish to spend a few hours with her.

The report quoted Hani Al Zubaidi, CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation, as saying that the foundation approached the TV presenter, saying the little girl is a huge fan of hers and wanted to spend some time with her. However, the foundation was “surprised” when she sought the money.

The charity foundation seeks to fulfil the wishes of children who are ailing from life-threatening diseases.

Al Zubaidi said this was a “strange” case, but said there were many other cases of celebrities whose reactions to the wishes of sick children were “cold and indifferent”. “On the other hand, there are artists and celebrities who fully support the foundation, too,” he added.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com