Stars out to help terror victims

Film heartthrob Jude Law will join a host of international stars on the West End stage in Britain's first fundraiser for victims of the 11 September terror attacks.

The hastily arranged Unite For The Future Concert on Sunday features big names from film, music and fashion. Tickets, costing up to £525, for the night at the Old Vic sold out within hours.

Other celebrities taking part include Lord Lloyd-Webber, Art Garfunkel and Sophie Dahl. Dame Judi Dench will co-host the evening with Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey. And Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, will come out of retirement to sing.

The show, put together by Sarah Farish, wife of the American Ambassador William Farish, is expected to raise £250,000 for charity.

While details of the performances are being kept secret it is believed that Law, star of The Talented Mr Ripley, will dance with a mystery woman, Dahl will recite literature and Lord Lloyd-Webber will accompany vocalist Shonagh Daly on the piano. It is thought that she will sing Let Us Love In Peace from the musical The Beautiful Game. Simply Red's Mick Hucknall, The London Gospel Choir and acrobats from Cirque de Soleil are also on the bill.

The three beneficiaries will be the World Trade Center Disaster Fund, Medecins Sans Frontieres, which is assisting Afghans affected by war, and Open Minds - a British Council project promoting the understanding of different cultures among young people.

Susan Hayden, director of the Old Vic Theatre Trust, said: "It is a tribute to those who lost their lives in New York, including a very close friend of mine. However, it will not be a downbeat event. We felt it was appropriate that London should make this contribution. Normally it would take six months to stage a concert like this but we have turned it around in five weeks."

Unite For The Future is a far smaller scale event than the two main concerts in New York which involved Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

Mrs Farish said: "We are very grateful for the generosity of all who have contributed. Our hope is that our efforts may provide some comfort."

Those people wishing to make a donation to Unite For The Future should call 020 7620 0558.