Look To The Stars News: Emergency services

Ronnie Corbett Leads Stars In British Charity Campaign

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:30:00 -0000

British comedy legend Ronnie Corbett is among a host of celebrities who have pledged their support online for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's biggest fundraising day, SOS Day, which takes place on Friday 29 January.

Stars of the big screen James and Oliver Phelps, who play Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter films, have joined BBC Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, Rugby World Cup winner Ben Cohen, lyricist Just Jack, round-the-world yachtswoman Hannah White and Hairspray star Sharon D Clarke in raising awareness and funds for the charity that saves lives at sea.

As part of a fundraising challenge called Sell Our Secrets, the celebrities have each filmed short ‘teaser’ videos, which are posted on the RNLI Shout! YouTube channel, saying they have a secret or story to share.

They’re asking YouTubers to make a donation to help them meet their fundraising target for RNLI SOS Day. In return, they will disclose their secret, story or anecdote via a ‘reveal’ video posted on the site on 29 January (RNLI SOS Day). Visitors to the site are also being encouraged to get involved by posting videos or text comments sharing their own secrets or stories.

Charlie Watson, RNLI National Events Manager, says:

‘SOS Day is the RNLI’s biggest day of fundraising and we’re really thrilled have such a fantastic group of celebrities supporting the cause to help our volunteer crews and lifeguards.

‘Sell Our Secrets is a fun and exciting challenge. We really hope people will visit the site, watch the teaser videos and encourage the celebrities to reveal their secret or story on 29 January by making a donation to help the charity that saves lives at sea. Anyone who wants to get involved by sharing their own secret or story online is very welcome to do so.’

As a charity, the RNLI relies entirely on voluntary public donations. All funds raised help the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards go on saving lives at sea around the coasts of the UK and Republic of Ireland. More information about RNLI SOS Day can be found at www.rnli.org.uk/sos.

Jay-Z Answers The Call For Charity

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hip Hop megastar Jay-Z played a tribute concert in New York on Friday night to mark the deaths of those that lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks eight years ago.

The Answer The Call show, which launched his new album Blueprint 3, raised money for the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund, a charity fund that has distributed over $96 million to the families of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty since 1986.

The rapper was joined by stars such as Kanye West, Pharell Williams, P. Diddy, John Mayer, Beyoncé Knowles, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Santigold for a two hour show that covered hits from his 11 album career.

“Make some noise for everybody that lost their lives so we can live ours,” the rapper told the crowd. “We stand here tonight eight years later even stronger, even stronger.”

He also held a minute of silence to honor those who lost their lives in the attack.

Lord Of The Rings Actor Abseils For Charity

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Lord of the Rings actor Bernard Hill was part of a charity event in the UK earlier this week to raise money and awareness for a campaign to help the Royal National Lifeboat Institution train new volunteers.

Hill, who played King Theoden in the movie trilogy, joined actor David Morrissey in abseiling down the iconic Southwold Lighthouse for the event.

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. It operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since it was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.

“It shouldn’t be a charity – it should be a state-funded institution like the NHS,” said Hill. “It’s a mark of the quality of the people that volunteer for it because people would just die out there without their help. It’s a vital service. People don’t understand what the sea is about and how dangerous it can be, that in five minutes it can all change.”

Denis Leary Raising Fire Funds in Marathon

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:29:00 -0000

The Leary Firefighters Foundation will be competing with its inaugural “Team LFF” in the ING New York City Marathon on November 1, 2009. This is a rare opportunity to participate as a runner or supporter in one of the most prestigious running events in the world.

Through its partnership with the New York Road Runners, The Leary Firefighters Foundation has been awarded a limited number of guaranteed fundraising entries. The proceeds raised by team members and supporters will go to The Foundation’s charitable mission of providing fire departments with the tools they need to maintain the highest level of public safety.

“We’re very excited to start Team LFF and have our inaugural Fire Battalion run in the New York City Marathon this November,” said actor Denis Leary, president of the Leary Firefighters Foundation. “It’s a great way to get our mission in front of a brand new audience, all while taking part in one of the most famous races in the greatest city in the world.”

All Team LFF runners registering for guaranteed entry must raise a minimum amount and will receive team perks such as team gear, training programs, goody bag, post-marathon after party, and other items to be announced. A second tier is available to those who have secured entry into the ING New York City Marathon 2009 at a lower fundraising minimum, but would like to be part of Team LFF.

All runners must first register for the ING New York City Marathon 2009 to receive an entry number.

James Bond's Secret Charity Mission In Myanmar

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Daniel Craig – star of the upcoming James Bond film Quantum of Solace – is to donate money to victims of the cyclone that ripped through Myanmar in May.

According to reports, the actor will donate about $12,000 to buy new boats for a group of fishermen in the Irrawaddy delta after their fleet was ravaged by Cyclone Nargis earlier this year. The report states that Craig will donate four sea-going vessels and 21 smaller boats to fishermen in the Ah-lai-thaung village of Pyin-kha-yaing town.

’His representative came to Myanmar and said he will pay for 25 fishing boats, and our committee brought the representative to that village," said a member from the fishery rehabilitation committee. “It will cost about 15 million kyats [$12,345] for the fishing boats to be made locally.”

Cyclone Nargis caused incredible damage to Myanmar and caused at least 146,000 fatalities with thousands more people still missing. Damage has been estimated at over $10 billion, and the United Nations were called in to help with relief efforts. However, due to political reasons, much of the aid did not reach the areas it was needed most.

Daniel Craig is no stranger to helping stricken mariners. He is a major supporter of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, an organization that provides a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts.

Look To The Stars News: Emergency services

Ronnie Corbett Leads Stars In British Charity Campaign

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