Global pop phenomenon and award-winning singer G.E.M. and Mending Kids, a non-profit organisation known for providing life-changing operations for children in over 63 countries, have recently announced a groundbreaking new fundraising initiative.

The superstar who has five number 1 albums in China and more than 30 million followers on social media is asking fans who would like to send her a gift for her birthday this year to instead donate $8.16, an amount directly tied into G.E.M.’s August 16 birthday, and all the funds will go to help children in China and other areas of the world where Mending Kids is active. Today, fans will be able to visit the Classy and WeChat pages for G.E.M. and donate until August 31, 2017.

Mending Kids is a non-profit established to raise funds to have the world’s leading surgeons visit and provide life-changing and life-saving pediatric surgical care that could never have been provided before, free of charge.

Earlier this year, G.E.M. was announced as a global ambassador to Mending Kids and since then has been “hands on” and active with the charity throughout her tour and made a visit to one of the orphanages in Luoyang while performing nearby as a part of her world tour. G.E.M. is also scheduled to participate in a mission with one of the surgical sites in mainland China later this year. G.E.M. has also taken part in photos and videos that the charity will use for its future marketing and promotional purposes.

Currently, Mending Kids is integrated into the tour by having an educational video shown at every tour stop showcasing the organisation, their goals and how they are helping children worldwide.

In addition to this, as a Global Ambassador, G.E.M. generously offered to donate $1.00 of each piece of tour merchandise sold back to Mending Kids.

Speaking about working with G.E.M. on this birthday campaign, Marchelle Sellers, Executive Director of Mending Kids said, “We are so proud to continue working with G.E.M. and her team on this amazing cause. She’s very hands on and to do this campaign centred around her birthday and to involve her fans. We encourage everyone to join us by visiting the WeChat and Classy pages to donate.”

G.E.M added: “I’m honoured to join forces with Mending Kids once again. I’ve been wanting to do something big and meaningful this year for my birthday, that is bigger than me. I have been working with this amazing cause since the start of my Queen of Hearts tour and it is close to my heart. I encourage everyone to please visit the official Classy and WeChat pages to support this great cause! You can visit my social media pages to find out more information and how to donate. Together, we can get everybody moving!”

Since 2006, Mending Kids’ has provided more than 3,000 complex surgeries to children from all over the world. Many of the surgeries provided correct congenital heart defects, orthopedic abnormalities, severe scoliosis, urological defects, and facial deformities to children from small villages in underdeveloped regions. Children’s lives are changed from private donations, the generosity of volunteer medical staff, donors, ambassadors, and more. Other restrictions such as finances, lack of knowledge on public programs, or denials from government agencies prevent children from receiving serious and transformational surgeries. With these surgeries and the help of G.E.M.’s public presence, the awareness of these programs and cause will reach new heights on a global measure.