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New Year's Eve fireworks display in London appeals for aid to children in war zones

Xinhua, January 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

A fireworks show on New Year's Eve in central London, held by the Mayor of London and the United Nations Children's Fund(UNICEF), aims to call on people to help children in war affected zones, according to the organizers.

The New Year's Eve fireworks display, jointly held by the Mayor of London and UNICEF, will start at midnight Friday on the Thames River opposite the Houses of Parliament, and is expected to attract around 100,000 audience on the site.

Besides the fireworks, a number of London's iconic buildings, including the Shard, the National Theatre and Big Ben will be turning blue in support of UNICEF's New Year's Resolution for Children.

The fireworks display is to help children in danger around the world like those affected by the conflict in Syria, according to the Mayor of London.

People are encouraged to download a happy blue mouth song on UNICEF's resolution website through mobile phones and upload and share a video of people singing and dancing to the song. They are also asked to donate three pounds(4.42 U.S. dollars) to help children in Syria in the forthcoming year.

The donation will be doubled by the British government, meaning that children affected by the conflict in Syria would receive more help, said UNICEF.

UNICEF said that Edinburgh would also join the new year celebrations on Thursday evening, by having torchlight marching, a street party and fireworks display.

About 14 million children have been affected by conflicts in and around Syria over the past six years. They went through misery of injuries, death, and lost or being separated from their family and friends, according to UNICEF. Endit