Brenda Blethyn has responded to the backlash over celebrities being used for charity appeals, saying it means people listen and hear the message. Comic Relief recently said celebrities would take a back seat on its on-location appeals following complaints about “poverty tourism” that some claim reinforces white saviour stereotypes. Vera star Blethyn said on Good Morning Britain that using stars in appeals helps to raise awareness of the issue they are backing. Blethyn, who appears in the campaign’s video, Mozzie Bites, said: “All we are asking people to do is just two minutes of their time. Discussing last week’s Sports Relief, she said: “You’ll see the films we put into Sports Relief are a step towards that, towards change.

Source: Irish Examiner March 28, 2018 08:03 UTC