The annual Dutch fundraising event Serious Request has raised a record 8.6 million euros. The money will be used to help mothers in war zones.

The event was presented by three DJs, all of whom work for public radio station 3FM, from a locked, glass-walled mobile studio, that was parked in the centre of Leiden.  Coen Swijnenberg, Timur Perlin and Gerard Ekdom went without food for the six-day long live broaddcast and played non-stop requests in exchange for money.

This was the eighth time that the event has been staged in the Netherlands. The format has been copied by several other countries and Belgium, Kenya, Sweden and Switzerland all organised hit-parade charity events this year and raised a massive 23 million euros.

The plight of mothers in war zones is an 'invisible disaster' according to the Red Cross. "All around them the world is collapsing, their husbands are missing or dead. But they have to go on caring for their children, making sure there is food, medication, and a place to stay."

(rk/jric)

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