Liam Payne: The star who wanted to change lives

Liam Payne took part in Soccer Aid for Unicef in 2022 and 2023

Behind the fame and worldwide tours, Liam Payne was a star who wanted to help change lives.

The singer, who grew up in Wolverhampton, dedicated his time to support others and funded more than 360,000 meals for people in crisis during the Covid pandemic.

He helped more 100 food banks in cities including Birmingham, Coventry and Stoke-on-Trent, praising the "incredible work" that charities like Trussell did for others.

"I want to play my part in finding a solution to ensure people have enough money to buy their own food - and end the need for food banks," Payne said.

Trussell, an anti-poverty charity that aims to end hunger, said that Payne had been a "generous supporter" over the last four years, often joining them in calling for "solutions to end the need for emergency food".

In April 2020, Payne said he was "humbled" to get involved at his local food bank

Payne announced in 2020 that he had made a "personal, long-term commitment" to support Trussell and its "vital work supplying meals to those in need all over the UK".

"It's not right that anyone in the world is unable to afford food," he said.

The singer spent time getting involved at his local food bank, which he described as a "humbling" experience where he met "incredibly passionate people".

"I'm glad to be playing my small part as we work towards a future in which nobody needs a food bank," he said.

Trussell said that it "greatly appreciate the compassion and kindness he always showed to people facing hunger and hardship".

"His death is a very tragic loss, and our thoughts are with his loved ones," the charity added.

Liam captained England in 2022 during Soccer Aid for Unicef

For two years, Payne took part in Soccer Aid for Unicef, a yearly charity football match that raises money for children in war and difficulty.

He captained England in 2022 and returned a year later to gather funds that support children around the world.

Soccer Aid for Unicef said that everyone at the charity was "devastated" to learn of his death and thanked him for "everything".

In preparation for Soccer Aid in 2022, Payne trained at Billericay Town Football Club, based in Essex.

"Our sincerest thoughts, prayers, and best wishes go out to his friends, family, and millions of fans," the club said.

Payne and Roman Kemp teamed up to raise money for two charities at Christmas

And when Payne wasn't training for football matches, he spent time working on projects to help others.

In 2020, he released a sleep story with presenter Roman Kemp, named Bedtime Bromance, to help people "drift off" if they were struggling with Christmas excitement.

Sold at 99p, all funds supported both Trussell and Unicef.

Children's charity Rays of Sunshine, which aims to brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK, said it was "heartbroken" to hear about death of Payne, who was a "dear friend and ambassador" at the charity.

"Liam brought so much light and joy to the hundreds of children and families he helped us grant wishes for, as a solo artist and as part of One Direction," it said.

The charity said that his legacy would "forever live on in cherished memories he helped create for every wish child and family who had the pleasure to meet him".

"Thank you, Liam, for all the sunshine you shared with us."