Wayne and Coleen Rooney, Simon Cowell donate £50,000 to riot fund

Celebrities including Wayne and Coleen Rooney and Simon Cowell have offered their support to victims of the UK riots.

The tabloid couple and the X Factor chief each donated £50,000 to the 'Reclaim Our Streets' fund, which was launched by the Daily Express to help those affected by the scenes of violence in cities such as London, Birmingham and Liverpool this week.

"What happened has left thousands of innocent victims - people whose businesses and homes have been attacked," Manchester United footballer Wayne told the paper.

"We all depend on the shops and small businesses in our communities. They work really hard for what they have and they deserve everyone's support and protection."

"My heart went out to those innocent people whose lives were wrecked by the rioting in so many cities this week," Coleen added. "It's a great cause and I hope others will back the fund."

Cowell echoed the Rooneys' sentiments, saying: "A lot of families and businesses desperately need some help right now and I back any campaign which achieves this."

The trio's donation was matched by Express Newspapers group owner Richard Desmond, while publicist Max Clifford gave £10,000 to the campaign and Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne also made a substantial contribution.

Stars such as Peter Andre, Kym Marsh and opera star Katherine Jenkins have also endorsed the 'Reclaim Our Streets' campaign.

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