Geldof opens Band Aid-funded school

Sir Bob Geldof praised the British public's generosity as he opened a school funded by the Band Aid 2004 record.

Geldof reportedly fought back tears as he visited the education facility in Hagere Selam, southern Ethiopia. The school was paid for by some of the cash raised by the re-recorded version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas', which featured stars such as Robbie Williams, Chris Martin and Will Young.

Birhan Woldu appeared in the original 1984 video and was at the school to meet the 58-year-old activist. Geldof told The Sun that she would not be alive "but for the massive outpouring of generosity by the British public".

"Birhan is the daughter of Band Aid. I feel like her stepfather," he said. "You do stupid things like a record and a concert and it really does save lives. I saw people here 25 years ago starving and on the brink of being wiped out - but now their kids are playing rock 'n' roll and going to school."

Geldof said that the country now has a growing economy and needs an educated workforce to ensure its continued success.