JK ROWLING< JEMIMA KHAN >VICTORIA BECKHAM

Its not just about money though, is it? If writing a cheque would solve the problem I'm sure they'd do it, it's what happens to the money, who oversees the work, how it's done, raising awareness to name but a few issues...good for them I say.

I think all three of those people are very likely to genuinely care about children. To suggest that they are doing this to "keep in the public eye" is unfair. I'm just glad they are doing it.

Just how you think they could personally buy these children out of danger, I don't know. Have you really thought that through?

Certainly have !!

They probably have put their money where there mouth is. Most people who launch appeals like this have.

Why would Rowling and Khan want to stay in the public eye?

In 1885 a journalist, William Thomas Stead, did just that - he bought a 13-year-old virgin for the night from a brothel, to prove that it could be done. The story was published in instalments in the Pall Mall Gazette. The child was unharmed, but he was arrested for abducting a minor and spent three months in prison. www.bbc.co.uk/history/0/20097046

The publicity influenced the raising of the age of consent from 13 to 16.

I see that VB is tweeting her support for Marie Curie Cancer Care and encouraging others too...hope no one here thinks she should write a cheque to cure cancer...

It's a moot point though isn't it? If you are a famous person you can do so much by raising the profile of a cause, but you can also do a massive amount if you can fund raise or donate and set up foundations or trusts - look at Bill and Melinda Gates, for instance.

Both ways are good! I don't suppose our three here have quite such a huge fortune as the Gates.

I've been following VB on twitter for a week or two now (research, before anyone asks why) and her messages are less about herself (ie self promotions) and more about other people and organisations she supports or applauds. I'm quietly impressed ...

I'm sure they do all give money. But using their celebrity status to get publicity raises public awareness, more money and increases political pressure. Good for them.