Entertainment

Ricky Martin joins efforts to build Pulse memorial

The foundation will launch a charity drive on Valentine’s Day.
The foundation will launch a charity drive on Valentine’s Day. The foundation will launch a charity drive on Valentine’s Day.

Ricky Martin will be a spokesman for a foundation that is building a memorial to honour the 49 victims who died during a massacre at a gay nightclub.

The Pulse nightclub near downtown Orlando was attacked by gunman Omar Mateen in June 2016.

The foundation will launch a charity drive on Valentine’s Day and hopes to get a million people to each donate 49 dollars (£35) with the proceeds going towards a National Pulse Memorial and Museum.

In the unpaid position, the singer will make public service announcements promoting tolerance and also support the foundation by making social media posts, taping video messages and possibly narrating some exhibitions, foundation officials said.

“His global platform allows us to share our mission with even more audiences, ensuring Pulse’s legacy of love lives on forever,” said Earl Crittenden, chair of the onePulse Foundation board, in a statement.

Mateen, who pledged allegiance to Islamic State, was killed in a shootout with police after a three-hour standoff.