Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford raised $7.65 million Sunday night in Los Angeles for Children in Conflict, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, educating and providing mental health support to children living in war zones and conflict-ridden areas.
The couple has hosted the star-studded Wassail night at the El Rey Theater every year, the first time it has been held in the city. Mulligan and Mumford have previously hosted the night in London and New York.
Comedian Jack Whitehall hosted the night, which featured musical performances by Mumford & Sons, Brandi Carlile, Sierra Ferrell and Jensen McRae. Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer took part in the program with readings.
Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Rob Williams, Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford
The guest list also included Daisy Edgar-Jones, Emma Watson, Courteney Cox, Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, David Chang, Kathleen Kennedy, Lee Sung Jin, Sarah Polley, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Simon Kinberg, Cleo Wade and Kristie Macosko Krieger.
Guests were entertained at their tables by magician Pete Heat while eating a menu designed by chefs Chris Bianco and Billy Durney.
Mulligan and Mumford are founding global ambassadors for Children in Conflict. Every year they travel to war zones to see the charity’s programs in action.
Rob Williams, Marcus Mumford, Oscar Kashemwa and Carey Mulligan
When Mulligan announced the total funds raised, the room gasped before starting to celebrate. “This is more money than we’ve ever raised before,” he said.
Mumford added: “This money will help us provide support to more than a million children in war zones. We are so grateful to the L.A. community.”
Rob Williams, CEO of Children in Conflict, said: “Our work and the children we work with seem to have won over a new community of support in Los Angeles. We are delighted to have the opportunity to reach more children than ever before. We will be hosting more events in Los Angeles next year and would love to see more people attend.”
