SEAN COMBS - GENEROUS DIDDY SPONSORS ART FOR LIFE CHILDREN

SEAN 'P DIDDY' COMBS donated a generous $5,000 (GBP2,800) to children's arts education at a star-studded charity event headed by fellow hip-hop mogul RUSSELL SIMMONS.

But Combs, who attended the Art for Life fundraiser at Simmons' New York state home on Saturday (31JUL05), initially bemused celebrity guests because, according to actress STAR JONES, he seemed reticent to sponsor a child for $1,000 (GBP5,000) - unlike ALICIA KEYS, USHER, CYNTHIA NIXON, and VIVICA A FOX who all readily paid out for the cause.

But the rap star finally out-sponsored everyone by agreeing to sponsor not one but five children.

A spokesperson for Combs, who gave $30,000 (GBP16,000) to the fund last year (04), says, "Puffy was happy to contribute $5,000 to a great evening. Of course he'll send his cheque."