Madonna hits back over charity bash

Madonna has responded to criticism of her decision to co-host a charity party at the UN with fashion brand Gucci.

Guests including Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Drew Barrymore attended Wednesday night's bash at the UN building in New York to raise cash for UNICEF and Madonna's Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative.

But the singer was criticised after the event was sponsored by Gucci to tie in with the opening of a new store in the city.

However, she insisted that she was unmoved by the negative press, saying: "I don't really pay any attention to that. I am grateful that Gucci has underwritten this event, that's all that matters to me - their generosity. There's always controversy surrounding anything that involves change."

She added: "I want to put Raising Malawi on the map. I want credibility as a philanthropic organisation. I want to inspire people. I don't want them to just write me a cheque: I want them to give me a piece of their heart."

Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are reportedly making plans to renew their wedding vows.