X-Men franchise star James McAvoy has donated a whopping £275,000 (roughly $340,000) to a crowdfunding campaign which was launched by a group of UK doctors to help them raise money for vital protective equipment needed for NHS (National Health Service) staff treating COVID-19.
The page was launched on Thursday and appealed for donations so that masks, visors, and gloves are more readily available for those "going to war without armour and protection."
The campaign's original target was £200,000, but thanks to McAvoy's generous donation, that's been extended to £500,000. Dr. Salaj Masand tells The Guardian, "We are overwhelmed and speechless at the trust and faith people have put into us to deliver this. The number of very generous donations from everyone doubled our target within three days."
Thanks to the Dark Phoenix star's "mindblowing" contribution, Masand says an order for 75,000 masks and 75,000 visors can now be placed immediately.
"The government is doing all it can but the NHS needs all the help it can get," the doctor adds. "We are also competing with the commercial market who are trying to sell the same PPE for extraordinary prices. That is why we raised the capital ourselves and hope to help government distribute these supplies in the best possible way."
In an Instagram post, McAvoy made just a brief statement saying, "Money donated today will save lives...Help us to help the government to help the NHS."