George Michael secretly gave millions to charity including £15k to fund Deal or No Deal contestant’s IVF and £25k to a debt-ridden woman he saw crying in a cafe
Childline, a HIV and sexual health charity and Macmillan Cancer Support all benefited from star's generosity
FANS, friends and charities have been paying tribute to the generosity of pop icon George Michael who secretly donated millions to good causes.
The 80s star died at his home on Christmas Day from suspected heart failure – prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans and celebrity pals.
The Wham! star donated royalties from some of his biggest hits to charity, gave a Deal or No Deal contestant thousands to fund IVF treatment and left a woman in a cafe £25,000 after overhearing her crying about debt.
Comic David Walliams said the singer pledged £50,000 for his charity efforts when he swam the English Channel in 2006.
The Little Britain star tweeted: "There are lots of stories about #GeorgeMichael 's legendary generosity emerging today. When I swam the channel he gave @sportrelief £50,000."
He helped countless children as a result of his donations to Childline as well as supporting HIV and sexual health charity the Terrence Higgins Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Michael, who spoke about losing his partner Anselmo Feleppa to HIV, "personally supported" the Terrence Higgins Trust for "many years".
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Jane Barron from the organisation said: "We are so saddened by the loss of George Michael.
";George also often thought of us to kindly donate experiences and gifts that were used to raise vital funds to help us support people living with HIV.
"Along with other charities, we were grateful to benefit from the royalties of George's 1991 duet with Elton John, Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me.
"His donations contributed to a vision of a world where people living with HIV live healthy lives free from prejudice and discrimination.
"Thanks to George's legacy, we are a step closer to that world and we are so grateful for his support and friendship over the years. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time."
Childline founder and president Dame Esther Rantzen revealed that Michael had given the royalties from his 1996 number one single Jesus To A Child to the charity.
She said: "For years now he has been the most extraordinarily generous philanthropist, giving money to Childline, but he was determined not to make his generosity public so no-one outside the charity knew how much he gave to the nation's most vulnerable children."
In 1997 Michael tragically lost his mother Lesley to cancer.
He described her as a "woman of great compassion", adding "She felt, much as I do, that we were living in a world that was gradually being drained of that."
Almost ten years after her death he played a special free concert in north London for NHS nurses as a thank you for the care they give and over many years supported charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support.
Lynda Thomas, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the death of George Michael who as a Macmillan Ambassador provided his committed support to us in a number of ways.
"We are extremely grateful to George and send our condolences to his family, friends and fans."
In the hours after the singer's death was announced TV presenter Richard Osman tweeted: "A woman on 'Deal Or No Deal' told us she needed £15k for IVF treatment. George Michael secretly phoned the next day and gave her the £15k."
It has also been reported that the Careless Whisper star gave a stranger in a cafe £25,000 after overhearing her crying over debt.
Another social media user joined the millions paying tribute and claimed to have volunteered with the musician at a homeless shelter.
While a journalist revealed Michael once gave a barmaid a £5,000 tip after learning she was a student nurse with large debts.
Michael was also among the stars involved in the original Band Aid single Do They Know It's Christmas? which raised more than £19 million for famine relief in Ethiopia after selling more than two million copies worldwide.
It was confirmed last night that Michael had died at his home in Oxfordshire from suspected heart failure.
It is understood paramedics had been called after Michael was discovered by a friend.
A statement released by his publicist said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.
"The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time.
"There will be no further comment at this stage."
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