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Product Red, the brand co-founded by U2 frontman Bono, has raised $50m (£24m) to fight Aids in Africa since it was launched in January 2006.

Armani, Motorola and Apple are among those to join the scheme, donating part of sales to the Global Fund against Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

While private sector contribution has been boosted by the brand, the number of firms signing up remains limited.

In Africa more than 33 million people are living with HIV/Aids.

Other brands to have joined the partnership include Gap, Converse and Hallmark. American Express has signed up but only in the UK.

Treatment

Up to 50% of profits from the sale of selected goods goes to the fund.

Before Product Red was launched by Bono and Bobby Shriver of Debt AIDS Trade in Africa (DATA), private sector donations to the fund had reached just $6m. The current level of donations marks an eight-fold increase.

“Product Red has brought about a major change in the way the private sector contributes to the Global Fund,” said Michael Kazatchkine, executive director of the Global Fund.

“The contribution of Product Red partners have already enabled thousands to benefit from Aids treatments, prevention and care.”

However the amount donated to date is small when compared with what the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated to fight HIV/Aids.

In October the foundation, which had assets in the region of $33bn at the end of 2006, announced it would provide $20m over four years for the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise.

CLAREMONT - U2 singer Bono left his bandmates behind Tuesday night for a speaking engagement at the Claremont Colleges, where he highlighted problems of poverty and disease in Africa and outlined his ideas for helping the continent.

Thousands of Africans die every day from treatable diseases such as AIDS and malaria, and though the developed world already provides aid to the continent, Africa needs more, Bono said.

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U2 frontman Bono is putting his Red Ducati motorcyle under the hammer for charity in a December auction.

The bike previously belonged to his U2 bandmate Adam Clayton and originally to the late INXS star Michael Hutchence.

Bono dedicated the bike to the singer and signed the fuel tank with the message “To Michael, Bono”.

Proceeds from the auction will go towards Riders for Health, a group which helps health care workers in Africa by providing them with vehicles and safety training.

Chief executive of the group, Andrea Coleman, said. “Bono’s commitment to Africa and his support for those living in poverty and ill-health is well known. And for us at Riders For Health, reaching those people in rural Africa is our focus and is a major challenge. Riders For Health knows that you can’t save a child unless you can reach her.

“Bono’s support for our work is valued highly and we thank him.”

Bono’s motorbike will be among many items going on sale at the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show in Birmingham on December 2.

Showbiz - News - Bono to auction off his motorbike - Digital Spy
Bono to auction off his motorbike

Oct. 25 (Bloomberg) — With an appearance by Bono and a concert featuring Gwen Stefani and Alicia Keys, organizers of a Manhattan fundraiser tonight to raise $1.5 million for AIDS promise it won’t be standard benefit fare.

At most galas, “you get your charity chicken, the entertainment goes on too long and the music is awful,” said Leigh Blake, executive director of Keep a Child Alive, a nonprofit that provides medicine for AIDS-infected adults and children in Africa and India. “Our event is not stodgy.”

Bono, the 47-year-old activist and lead singer of the Irish band U2, who was born Paul David Hewson, is being honored and isn’t scheduled to perform at Hammerstein Ballroom. Keys, the 26-year-old R&B singer, will take the stage before 1,200 guests, along with Sheryl Crow and Stefani.

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Hallmark Cards Inc. is joining a growing list of U.S. companies and others who are teaming up with Bono of U2 to fight AIDS in Africa.The Kansas City greeting card producer on Thursday unveiled an initial line of 23 greeting cards and other products affiliated with the fundraising initiative known as (Product) Red, created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, nephew of John F. Kennedy and son of R. Sargent Shriver, the first head of the Peace Corps.

Donations from the sale of products will help raise money for the Swiss-based Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

A larger collection of 150 additional cards and gift items is scheduled to appear in stores and online in January.

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U2 frontman Bono showered attention on House freshman Democratic lawmakers Wednesday during their weekly breakfast meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

The Irish-born rocker-slash-philanthropist was on the Hill to solicit ideas for publicizing the successes of U.S. government programs and his own charitable initiatives in combating poverty, AIDS and other ills in Africa.
Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) started the morning meal by giving Bono a pop quiz in U.S. geography, asking whether he could locate the congressman’s home state on a map, according to sources.

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