Silent philanthropist who donated millions

A COUPLE who could not afford fertility treatment and a debt-ridden student nurse were among those who George Michael secretly helped.

His acts of philanthropy are thought to have added up to millions of pounds, as recipients came forward yesterday to reveal the extent of his generosity.

Lynette Gillard, 38, from Bolton, discovered that George Michael was the anonymous donor who sent her £15,000 to pay for IVF treatment, when her then husband failed to win enough prize money after he appeared on the

game show Deal Or No Deal in 2008. Richard Osman, the former executive producer, yesterday tweeted: “George Michael secretly phoned the next day” saying he wanted to help.

Ms Gillard said: “For many years I wondered who would have been so generous and now I know. What more can I say other than thank you George.”

Sali Hughes, the author, said that Michael tipped a barmaid £5,000 because she was a student nurse in debt.

Dame Esther Rantzen, founder and president of Childline, revealed that Michael had given millions of pounds in royalties from his 1996 record Jesus To A Child to the charity. “For years now he has been the most extraordinarily generous philanthropist, giving money to Childline, but he was determined not to make his generosity public, so no one outside the charity knew how much he gave to the nation’s most vulnerable children,” she said.

Emilyne Mondo, the actress, said that Michael had volunteered at a homeless shelter with her, but had asked others not to publicise the fact.

She said yesterday: “George Michael worked anonymously at a homeless shelter. I’ve never told anyone, he asked we didn’t.”