Band Aid 30 raises £1 million in 5 minutes

Sir Bob Geldof is amazed that Band Aid 30 has raised already over £1 million.

He praised the public’s response to the Band Aid 30 charity single,’Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ after it was revealed it had raised its first £1 million within five minutes of premiering yesterday (November 16).

“It’s gone manic. That’s the digital age. We promoted the single on X Factor. Simon Cowell gave us five minutes of the show last night,” said Sir Bob on BBC Radio 4.

“Within four or five minutes of leaving the show we had a million quid. That’s extraordinary.

“From what we’re seeing now from iTunes it’s gone bonkers. The pre-orders of the thing were ridiculous.”

Later speaking on BBC Breakfast, he added: “I love living in this country at moments like this,” stating that the UK “led the world” in charity campaigning.

Band Aid 30’s reworked version of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ received its first airing during The X Factor results show on Sunday night.

Geldof and Midge Ure have assembled an all-star lineup for the Paul Epworth-produced track, which is raising money to combat the Ebola crisis in western Africa.

UK chancellor George Osborne has pledged to waive VAT on all sales of the single.