Leon Lai
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Alumnus
Leon Lai, one of the most popular singers and actors in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1994.
Leon's association with UNICEF began in 1993, when he helped launch a project to eradicate polio in China. With his strong support, more than $3.5 million was raised for the purchase of polio vaccines to immunize more than 80 million children throughout China. Leon also contributed substantial funds raised from the ticket sales of one of his concerts.
Leon witnessed UNICEF’s activities first-hand while travelling to Rwanda, South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania in 1996. On his return to Hong Kong, he promoted the programmes he had learned about with media coverage and performed in a concert to raise more than $770,000 for children affected by war.
Leon embarked on a mission to Brazil in 1998, visiting programmes for children living on the streets, children subjected to child labour, children suffering from sexual exploitation and children living with HIV/AIDS.
Born in 1966 in Beijing, Leon moved to Hong Kong with his family at the age of four. He was educated in England.
Leon first came to fame in a television singing competition and went on to find success throughout Asia as an actor and award-winning singer.