TV Telethon raises £866,667 for oil slick clean up

London (ANI): A number of Hollywood stars including Cameron Diaz, Robert Redford, Justin Bieber and Sting have raised more than 866,667 pounds on a TV telethon in aid of the oil slick clean-up efforts along America's Gulf Coast.

Many celebrities turned up to join veteran newsman Larry King for a special two-hour live broadcast on June 21, and they were seen manning the phones to take donations for funds for those affected by the massive oil slick.

Country singer Tim McGraw was among the first to plead with the public to pledge cash to the cause, insisting the people of his native Louisiana need help. "It's devastating. Anybody that's ever been down there will tell you that it's some of the finest people you will ever meet down in South Louisiana," the Daily Star quoted him as saying.

"And they will give you their shirt off their back... And they're in trouble... It's just heartbreaking," he stated. Actress Cameron Diaz said the situation on the Gulf Coast makes her "sad and mad and sick at heart". Actor Robert Redford also called on the public to hand over their hard-earned cash. "I'm feeling heartbreak. Frustration, because I think it was avoidable," he said.

Teenage singer Justin Bieber also joined the show in a bid to encourage younger viewers to get involved. "The oil disaster in the Gulf has been a big problem. But every little bit can help. There's no such thing as being too young to pitch in. And this is urgent," he said. "What we do now can affect our future. You can donate money or time or anything to the groups that you've heard about on this show," he stated.

The show also saw a performance from rocker Sting, who dedicated his track 'Fragile' to all those affected by the disaster.