'Change the world' call by Geldof

Live 8 organiser Bob Geldof appealed to people to help “tilt this world a little bit on its side” as he launched a lottery for the star-studded concert today.

The event in London’s Hyde Park – featuring Madonna, Robbie Williams and Paul McCartney – will draw attention to poverty and debt in the developing world.

Members of the public can win a pair of the 150,000 tickets available by texting the answer to a straightforward question.

Today Geldof appealed to the country to take part and help to bring an end to the spectre of “children dying on our television screens”.

Appearing on GMTV, he said: “This country can maybe stop that. It’s too great an opportunity to miss and I think we are going to do it.”

He said it would be a chance for people to feel they were “changing the world a little bit” and for the whole country to feel it was “doing something together”.

“We have gone on this long journey together over 20 years,” he said.

“It is finally going to pitch up against the doors of the leaders of the world’s richest countries at the beginning of July.

“Honestly, what we can maybe do is just change this world for the better.”

Geldof said people should not despair if they do not win tickets as there are plans to screen the July 2 event live at parks across the country.

Asked about rumours of a Spice Girls reunion for the concert, he said he had spoken to band member Geri Halliwell last night, and they were “trying really hard” to do it.

“There is a great willingness but they have a past. With divorced couples, it takes years to be friends again.”

Asked about suggestions that the event would not make a difference, he said: “I genuinely think it is doing, otherwise I wouldn’t bother.”

Geldof appealed to people to text for tickets, saying: “Please get on your texts. Go for it! We will, I promise you, tilt this world a little bit on its side.”