Look To The Stars News: Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais Speaks Out Against Bullfighting

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0000

An avid supporter of animal rights, particularly against cruelty to animals, comedian Ricky Gervais recently criticized the sport of bullfighting. In response, he was called a hypocrite by a food critic because Gervais is a meat eater.

On his blog, Gervais writes: “I think there is a difference between animals being humanely killed for meat and animals being tortured to death for fun. It’s the ‘enjoying it’ part I don’t understand.”

He likens it to throngs of non-vegans visiting abattoirs and cheering as animals are slaughtered. “Would that be a sport?” he asks. Gervais finds fox hunting equally baffling – that foxes need to be culled is a silly excuse for the tradition of people on horses setting out to enjoy it.

“I have had several pets put down over the years when they were in pain with no quality of life,” he writes in his blog. “It was the right thing to do and yet on every occasion I cried. What a wuss. Next time, I will invite the food critic round… It’s only an animal, it was going to die anyway, may as well have a laugh. It may even become a tradition, and you can never end those.”

Traditional animal killing for sport makes little sense to Gervais: “I wonder what other wonderful traditions [the food critic] loves. His favourite is probably the one where they cut the tendons on the back of the bull’s neck so they can’t lift their head and so it looks like they’re constantly in ‘charge pose’. More fun for the crowd.”

Stars Join Cyber Protest To Save Animals

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Celebrities are showing their support for an end to animal testing by joining an on-line virtual protest. Comedian Ricky Gervais, actress Joanna Lumley and rockers Brian May and Chrissie Hynde, are joining tens of thousands of people taking part in the virtual march to Brussels where the 20-year old law on animal experiments is up for review by politicians.

‘Mini-me’ virtual characters of Ricky, Joanna, Chrissie and Brian appear in the campaign cheering on the thousands of marchers from across the EU and they hope to persuade thousands more to take part at www.makeanimaltestinghistory.org/march.

More than 12 million animals such as rabbits, hamsters, monkeys, cats and dogs, are used in experiments in Europe each year. Many of the experiments can cause physical and mental distress to the animals. Animal lovers across the UK and Europe are taking to cyber-space to demonstrate support for improvements to the 20-year old law on animal experiments. Campaigners want greater restrictions on what the animals can endure, as well as a massive drive to develop non-animal alternative tests to ultimately replace the use of animals altogether with humane, 21st-century methods.

The virtual march at www.MakeAnimalTestingHistory.org/march was launched by the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research, Four Paws and The Humane Society International.

Ricky Gervais says: “When I was asked if I’d like to back the campaign to Make Animal Testing History I said “Yes”, immediately, as it is a cause that I am very, very passionate about. When they said it involved a march, I said forget it. But when they said it was a virtual march and I would have to do very little except show my support and give a quote, I jumped at the chance. On a serious note, we need EU politicians to vote for more humane science. With all the non-animal techniques available now and in the future, we really don’t need to hurt animals to make medical progress.”

Joanna Lumley OBE, said: “Join me fabulous walkers, in showing how much we care for the feelings of our fellow creatures, and how soon we long for all animal testing to become a thing of the past. Tell everyone you know how easy it is to sign up, pack some sandwiches and, as Nancy Sinatra so succinctly put it, “Start walking!!!”

Queen guitarist Brian May CBE said: “Humans do not have the right to abuse other animals in any way whatsoever. What on Earth makes us think we are that important? If we want to call ourselves civilised, a change is long overdue. No animal should ever be subjected to indignity or discomfort, far less, a painful death, in the name of science. Let’s make this despicable behaviour History.”

Chrissie Hynde said: “Animal experimentation just doesn’t make sense in the 21st century. It causes suffering to millions of animals and it’s hardly cutting-edge science. Thousands of people are cyber-marching right now to Make Animal Testing History and I’m right there with them cheering them on. Let’s stop filling our laboratories with monkeys and mice and use modern alternative research methods instead. See you on the march!”

Citizens from across Europe are being invited to get e-active by signing an online pledge of support to Make Animal Testing History and creating their own personalised character to join the mass cyber parade through Brussels towards the European parliament. The law will be debated during the coming months by politicians across Europe.

Click here to find out more and take part.

Ricky Gervais Designs Manbag For Charity

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Ricky Gervais is among celebrities who have made their mark on a new fundraising initiative designed to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Leading online retailer manbagcompany.com threw down the gauntlet to some of the UK’s favorite celebs to let their imaginations run riot and customize one of its exclusive Messenger bags. The great and the good from the arenas of fashion, comedy, art, music and film stepped forward to add their personal touches to a Manbag – and raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity into the bargain.

A host of contributors rose to the challenge and joined Ricky in supporting the initiative, including Coldplay, Depeche Mode, Alan Carr, Rio Ferdinand, Twiggy, Jade Jagger, Joe Corres, Spandau Ballet, Darth Vader, Bruce Oldfield, Jimmy Choo, Tom Baker (Dr Who) and many more.

The resulting collection of bags – from the comic to the cool – will now be auctioned on eBay on 24 June, with all of the proceeds going to the Charity.

Ricky Gervais explained his belief as to why so many celebrities have come forward to support the campaign: "Prostate cancer touches the lives of 35,000 men and their families every year in the UK. I hope the auction of celebrity manbags will raise as much money as possible for The Prostate Cancer Charity.”

Manbagcompany.com has enjoyed great success since it launched its collection of top of the range men’s bags last year, so much so that it now wanted to give something back.

Says manbag founder Bain Ellisdon: “We are delighted to be raising funds for such a worthy cause as The Prostate Cancer Charity. We have received great feedback from those we have contacted so far; this initiative really seems to have brought out people’s creative as well as philanthropic side!”

John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: “This collaboration really seems to have struck people’s imaginations – and revealed some hidden artistic talent. The designs range from a glittery prostate by Jason Gardiner to a playful creation by Jimmy Choo. We would like to thank Bain and the rest of the Manbagcompany team for their support, as well as all of the celebrities who have taken the time to customize a bag. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. I think this project will really help raise awareness of the disease across different age groups, as well as generate funds for the Charity.”

To find out more and view the designs, click here.

Paul McCartney Launches Meat Free Mondays

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sir Paul McCartney is spearheading a campaign to encourage people to "go vegetarian“ for at least one day every week. Meat Free Monday is a food campaign to encourage the world to help slow climate change by reducing their meat consumption by having one meat free day a week.

The former Beatle is leading the star-studded campaign that includes Stella McCartney, Yoko Ono, Kelly Osbourne, Moby, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, Ricky Gervais, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Sheryl Crow, artist Jeff Koons and chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Giorgio Locatelli.

“I think many of us feel helpless in the face of environmental challenges, and it can be hard to know how to sort through the advice about what we can do to make a meaningful contribution to a cleaner, more sustainable, healthier world,“ said McCartney. "Having one designated meat free day a week is actually a meaningful change that everyone can make, that goes to the heart of several important political, environmental and ethical issues all at once. For instance it not only addresses pollution, but better health, the ethical treatment of animals, global hunger and community and political activism.”

The UK’s Food Climate Research Network states that food production is responsible for between 20-30 percent of global green house gas emissions. The United Nations has supported the figures, saying that the livestock sector is ‘one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global’.

“A couple of years ago the United Nations came out with a report that said for people to eat less meat would have a big impact on the environment,“ McCartney told Sky News. “It’s all got a bit out of hand and I think people want to do their bit to bring it back into line, and this is an answer we’ve got involved in. A few years ago you’d say to people recycling is good. And they’d stick it all in one bin anyway. I mean I was the same. Now you don’t see that. You go round to people’s houses and they’ve got the bins and stuff. I think the time is right now for that idea.”

The Meat Free Monday campaign states that meat consumption has quadrupled since 1961, and poultry consumption has increased 10-fold.

“The reality is a lot of people don’t eat meat every day,“ said Stella McCartney. “You don’t have to be a vegetarian to cut out one day of meat consumption. It’s something anyone can do.”

“I thought this was a great idea,“ Sir Paul told reporters at the campaign’s official launch yesterday. “To just reduce your meat intake maybe by one day a week and this would seriously benefit the planet. It’s kind of easy to do. You’ve had too much over the weekend anyway and you’re all running down to the gym to try and work it off – so just have a meat-free Monday.”

To find out more about Meat Free Mondays and lend your support, visit the official website.

Kate Winslet Draws Butterflies For Leukaemia Research

Fri, 08 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Kate Winslet, Tony Blair, Ricky Gervais, Sophie Dahl and Stephen Fry are among the stars who have donated their own drawings of butterflies for a new charity book.

The book aims to raise money for Leukaemia Research, an organization in the UK that is dedicated exclusively to leukaemia, the lymphomas, myeloma, aplastic anaemia, myelodysplasia, the myeloproliferative disorders and the related blood disorders in both children and adults.

The sketches, paintings and poems will be published in the Butterfly Book, in memory of charity fundraiser Claire Wadley, a 25-year-old who died from leukaemia.

“I decided to write to well-known public figures and invite them to draw, sketch or doodle a picture of a butterfly, enclosing a piece of card with each letter,“ said Laura-Jane Foley, who organized the book. “Claire’s story touched so many people and I was overwhelmed by the response.”

80 famous names have contributed to the book, and it is available for £25. A limited edition costs £100 and has one piece of original artwork. All profits from book sales go to the Claire Elizabeth Wadley Forget Me Not Fund for Leukaemia Research.

To find out more, or to buy the Butterfly Book, visit the official website or email info@thebutterflybook.co.uk.

The Big Bid Raises Cash For Charities

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Big Bid – one of the biggest celebrity charity auctions to be held in 2009 – is on right now.

For the entire month of May, items from stars such as Bono, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Ricky Gervais, Cliff Richard, Girls Aloud, Eric Clapton, McFly, Pierce Brosnan, Michael Schumacher, Lulu and many more.

The Big Bid kicked off on May 4 with an event that benefited the Mildmay HIV+AIDS Charity based in East London, in which someone paid £4,200 for the chance to meet Sir Cliff Richard. Other charities that will benefit from the auction include Help for Heroes, Amazing Daisy, CLIC Sargent and more.

To find out more about the auction and start bidding, visit the official Big Bid website.

Stars For A Cause On Display

Mon, 04 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A selection of celebrity designed/autographed jewelry, footwear and other unique items will be on display at auction house Bonhams in New Bond Street, London, tomorrow before being auctioned at Bonhams and Butterfields in Los Angeles on May 28.

Half of the proceeds of the auction, organized by Stars For A Cause, will go to charities chosen by the participating stars, such as the The Art of Elysium, Keep A Child Alive, Red Cross, Elton John AIDS Foundation, UNICEF and many many more. The other half will go to the Prince’s Trust, which helps young people develop confidence, motivation and skills to find work.

Celebrities taking part in the campaign include Kate Winslet, Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, Ricky Gervais, Charlize Theron, Goldie Hawn, Miley Cyrus, Colin Farrell, Susan Sarandon, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Tom Hanks, Sigourney Weaver and more.

To learn more about this amazing auction, visit the official website.

Stars Donate Underwear To Charity Auction

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A host of stars are going commando for charity this week by donating their underwear to a new charity auction.

Stars such as the Black Eyed Peas’ Fergie, Emma Thompson, Helen Mirren, Katie Price, Tilda Swinton, and Joanna Lumley have donated their autographed underwear to the auction, which will benefit the New North London Synagogue, an institution that offers a wide range of educational, cultural, social action, and other communal activities for both its membership and the wider Jewish and non-Jewish community, including a monthly drop-In for destitute asylum seekers.

A wide range of signed underwear is going under the hammer, from the extremely small to the strangely old-fashioned. Also up for auction are pants autographed by Ricky Gervais, Jarvis Cocker, Alex Kingston, Daniel Day Lewis, Nick Cave, Nick Hornby, Ray Winstone, Sacha Baron Cohen, and many more.

Money from the auction will go to buying food and other essentials required by asylum seekers. The organization explains: “Destitute asylum seekers have had their asylum claims refused. They live here in fear, terrified of being forcibly returned home where they face more of the persecution they originally fled from. Many are survivors of torture and have lost loved ones in conflicts back home. They are not allowed to work and in most cases are not eligible for housing or benefits. Many go hungry and some have been diagnosed with malnutrition. They don’t even have the money to buy underwear which is basic to human dignity, and so our celebrities have signed underwear to both raise funds for them and draw attention to their plight.”

The auction runs until March 31 and can be accessed here

Signed Celebrity Photos On Offer For Good Causes

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A huge selection of celebrity photos signed by the stars themselves is on offer at Buy Once, Give Twice, the UK’s premiere celebrity charity auction website.

Black and white personalised prints of celebrities including Ricky Gervais, Chris Martin, Elbow, Dara O’Briain, Barry Humphries, Jack Dee, Kevin Spacey, Willie John McBride, rugby star Martin Johnson and Rickey Hatton are going under the hammer for Trinity Hospice, a charity that provides care to the terminally ill and their families in central, south east and south west London. The ‘Larger Than Life’ project is a collection of limited edition, signed portraits of well known icons taken by renowned celebrity photographer Rich Hardcastle, and Buy Once Give Twice is exhibiting this collection in support of Trinity Hospice to create awareness of the specialist palliative care that is available to terminally ill people and their loved ones and also to raise money through sales of the prints to continue to provide these services.

The auction website is also selling a selection of signed photos for The Rainbow Centre, a charity based in Hampshire, UK, that offers Conductive Education services to help children with disabilities causing developmental delay such as Cerebral Palsy. Photos up for auction include Johnny Wilkinson, Bob Hoskins, Arsene Wenger, Mick Hucknall, Kirsty Gallagher, Ainsley Harriet, Martin Kemp, Tony Blair, Kate Thronton, Michael Owen and Angus Deaton.

Both of these auctions run until the second week of April, and can be accessed here.

Buy Once, Give Twice is also auctioning off luxurious one-off blankets created by international designers such as Diane von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and Alberta Ferretti to benefit Elephant Family, a charity dedicated to wild and captive Asian elephants. The auction runs until April 16, and can be accessed here.

Pink And Ricky Gervais Speak For Animals

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Rocker Pink and comedian Ricky Gervais give voices to animals in the new PETA video, Stolen For Fashion.

In the short but effective clip, Pink the stripped alligator and Ricky the naked rabbit ask for their skins back from the woman who now has them in the form of a purse and coat. Their point: “All exotic furs and skins are stolen.”

This is not the first time for either star to lend a voice to PETA campaigns. On PETA’s website, Pink narrates a graphic and disturbing video about the cruelty inflicted upon sheep in the wool industry. Also on the website is the letter Gervais penned to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, criticising the use of real black bear fur in the ceremonial caps of the Queen’s guards.

Despite the alternatives to the gruesome practices of raising and destroying animals for skin, fur and wool, it remains a part of the fashion industry because there is still a market for it.

Pink says, “There are lots of clothes to buy for a look that kills without killing anything.”

Ricky the Rabbit says, “What kind of a person steals a guy’s coat?”

The video can be viewed here.

Red Nose Day TV Special Breaks Records

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

BBC’s Red Nose Day television extravaganza, Funny For Money, raised over £57 million (US$80 million) on Friday night, breaking the previous record of £40 million set in 2007.

Presented by David Tennant, Davina McCall, Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross and others, Funny For Money aired on March 13 on BBC One and Two and featured comedy items performed by Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Robbie Williams, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Ricky Gervais, Harry Enfield, Peter Crouch, David Beckham, Ronnie Corbett, Sadie Frost, and Kate Moss.

A special version of Top Of The Pops featuring performances by U2, James Morrison and Oasis – as well as Tom Jones and Rob Brydon singing the official Comic Relief single, Islands In The Stream – also aired as part of the extravaganza. The Islands In The Stream single has just topped the UK charts, which will bring in more cash for the cause.

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s – which sold the official Comic Relief merchandise – handed over a cheque for over £9 million to the show’s presenters during the evening, the single largest donation ever made in the event’s 11 year history. Another £20 million as donations keep coming in.

Celebrity Kilimanjaro climbers Alesha Dixon, Ben Shephard, Cheryl Cole, Chris Moyles, Denise Van Outen, Fearne Cotton, Gary Barlow, Kimberley Walsh and Ronan Keating also made an appearance, and it was revealed that their efforts had raised £3,326,142 for Comic Relief.

‘It is just incredible to see such a huge amount of money given by the public again on Red Nose Day," said Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis. "Red Nose Day is 21 years old this year and its success is down to the unrelenting support and ingenuity of our supporters – it belongs not to the comedians, but to the people who give. It’s wonderful that, in more difficult times, people seem to understand that the need increases for people whose lives were impossibly tough in the first place. The work this money funds helps change and save lives all over Africa and the United Kingdom. A huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who has helped to make this year’s Red Nose Day such a memorable and brilliant campaign.”

The evening also featured appearances from Annie Lennox and Take That.

Red Nose Day TV Special To Tickle BBC Funny Bones

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Today, March 13, is Red Nose Day in Britain – the major fundraising event of the year for Comic Relief. And to celebrate, celebrities young and old will appear in a TV extravaganza being screened tonight on BBC One and Two.

Presented by David Tennant, Davina McCall, Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross and others, Funny For Money will feature the last ever French & Saunders film parody – a version of Mamma Mia! performed by Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders – plus comedy items performed by Robbie Williams, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Ricky Gervais, Harry Enfield, Peter Crouch, David Beckham, Sadie Frost, and Kate Moss. There will also be an appearance from Annie Lennox.

As part of the show, Comic Relief will also present a special version of Top Of The Pops that will feature performances by U2, James Morrison and Oasis, as well as Tom Jones and Rob Brydon singing the official Comic Relief single, (Barry) Islands In The Stream.

The show will also a special appearance by the celebrity climbers who scaled Mount Kilimanjaro last week. The group – including Take That’s Gary Barlow, Ronan Keating, Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh, Cheryl Cole, singer Alesha Dixon, television presenters Fearne Cotton and Ben Shephard, West-End star Denise Van Outen and radio DJ Chris Moyles – reached the summit of the 19,300ft (5,900m) peak as dawn broke on Saturday, March 7. They featured in their own BBC One documentary last night, and also met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has pledged £2 million to the charity.

“It has been a privilege for the whole team to meet the Prime Minister … and under such special circumstances,“ said Barlow. “To think that our efforts on the mountain and the incredible generosity of the public have inspired school children and have now been supported by the Government is unbelievable. If the money raised can help control malaria and also help poor and vulnerable people in the UK, it will all have been worthwhile. What an unforgettable day.”

The Funny For Money TV special runs from 7pm to 1:30am. Viewers will have the chance to pledge money to go towards helping people in the UK overcome poverty, mental health issues, domestic violence and other issues, and people in Africa affected by AIDS, malaria, conflict and more.

Pink To Star In New PETA Ad

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British funny man Ricky Gervais has revealed that he has joined a very special star for a new charity ad.

The comedian has posted a blog in which he says he has recorded the ad with Pink for PETA.

“Did a cinema charity ad for PETA,“ wrote Gervais. “It’s a great idea and I play a rabbit, and Pink plays an alligator. I’ll post it when it’s all finished and shiny.“

Gervais is no stranger to charity work. Last year he appeared in the 2nd annual Stand Up for Heroes: A Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, and has also been involved in benefit shows for the Teenage Cancer Trust. He also committed the profits from a series of 2006 warm-up shows for his 2007 stand-up comedy tour to MacMillan Cancer Support.

The new ad sounds intriguing… be sure to check back to Look To The Stars and we’ll let you know when it’s shiny enough to be released.

Springsteen Raises Cash For Veterans

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bruce Springsteen helped raise over $100,000 for wounded war veterans on Wednesday at the 2nd annual Stand Up for Heroes: A Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation

Springsteen – who donated his leather jacket, guitar, and Harley Davidson motorcycle to the auction event – was joined by Whoopi Goldberg, Ricky Gervais, Regis Philbin and Saturday Night Live comic Darrell Hammond for the event.

“Our 2nd annual ‘Stand Up for Heroes’ event is an opportunity to give back to our wounded service members in gratitude for their sacrifices,” said television journalist Bob Woodruff. “Together we can help our injured troops overcome the challenges they face as they re-integrate into society.”

Woodruff established his foundation after being badly injured by a roadside bomb while reporting in Iraq in 2006. He says the aim of the Foundation is to raise awareness and money to assist members of the U.S. military injured while serving.

Springsteen’s motorcycle and jacket was sold for $70,000, while his guitar was bought by CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour for $50,000.

Springsteen To Rock For Soldiers

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Ricky Gervais, Whoopi Goldberg and Bruce Springsteen have agreed to appear at a benefit in New York next month.

The 2nd annual Stand Up for Heroes: A Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation is slated to take place on November 5 at the Town Hall in Manhattan in conjunction with the New York Comedy Festival.

Regis Philbin will serve as host at the concert, while Gervais, John Pinette, and Springsteen are to perform. Both Goldberg and James Niven of Sotheby’s are to make special appearances as the event’s guest auctioneers.

More information about the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation can be found at its website.

Stewart to Host Night Of Too Many Stars

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:53:19 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart is set to host the Night Of Too Many Stars, an “Overbooked Concert For Autism Education”, on April 13th. The music-and-laughter-packed event will be televised live from The Beacon Theatre in New York City.

Some of the guests joining the comic news anchor in the fundraising efforts are Matthew Broderick, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Conan O’Brien, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

Proceeds of the evening will be split among autism education programs, including new schools which provide vocational and life skills for teenagers and adults with autism, and outreach programs which provide training and consultation to families of young autistic children. A portion of the proceeds will go to Autism Speaks, an organization which funds research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, while raising public awareness about the disorder.

Other performers spending their time raising autism awareness at the event are Will Arnett, Rosie O’Donnell, Maroon 5, Kevin James and Amy Poehler. Past performers have included Martin Short and Ricky Gervais.

Autism is a growing concern in the US, as one in 150 children is diagnosed with the neurological disorder, and the number of new cases is growing rapidly. Severely autistic children are unable to communicate and understand, leaving them incapable of functioning normally in the world; even playing with other children can be impossible.

For ticket information and more information about the event, visit the Night Of Too Many Stars website.

Butterflies Benefit British Wildlife

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:56:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Over 120 British celebrities have put their artistic skills to the test for an online auction, and a dazzling collection of their original drawings and paintings will help raise money to save wildlife.

The artworks, which all feature a colorful array of butterflies and moths, are currently being auctioned on eBay, with the proceeds going to the Dorset Wildlife Trust, one of 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the UK, dedicated to the conservation of Britain’s unique wildlife. Famous names such as Daniel Craig, Ricky Gervais, and member of the newly reformed Spice Girls, Melanie C, are just some of those who have donated artworks to the auction, which started on September 16 and will run for several months.

“We have had a fantastic and generous response from all our celebrity artists,” said auction organizer, Les Bunce. “And sponsorship of our costs means that all the money raised will go straight to help wildlife in Dorset.”

The auction follows a similar auction held five years ago, in which celebrities such as Sean Bean, Joely Richardson, and Sir Paul McCartney painted their favourite orchids for the Trust. The event raised over $60,000, and the proceeds were used to monitor and improve wildlife habitats, plant trees, clean up roadsides, and raise public motivation to support conservation issues.

The items at this year’s event will be sold a few at a time, and each drawing will be available online for a week. As items are sold, new ones will be added. The event will culminate on December 13, with works donated by Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst being auctioned at a Grand Finale at Christie’s Auction House in London.

Other celebrities involved with the event include cricketer Ian Botham, singer Katie Melua, and actor Tony Robinson. A full list of contributors can be seen at www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk, and the auction can be viewed at www.myworld.ebay.co.uk/dorsetwildlifetrust/.

UK Comic Relief Raises £40.2m

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 14:52:42 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

An eight-hour TV comedy marathon featuring cameos by Tony Blair and Kate Moss has brought this year’s Comic Relief appeal to a close, and the total funds raised to over £40m (78m USD).

Mr Blair played himself in a sketch set at Number 10 opposite comic Catherine Tate’s schoolgirl character Lauren, resorting to her catchphrase “Am I bovvered?”

The “Red Nose Day” TV gala featured other big names not normally known as comedians, including Daniel Craig, Elle Macpherson and Sting, while established comedy stars such as Ricky Gervais and Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen provided laughs aplenty.

The comedy was interspersed with music from the likes of The Killers, Sugababes and Girls Aloud, and with regular appeals for viewers to make pledges by Billy Connolly and others.

Although the appeal began on January 31, the majority of donations were made on Friday, with the final figure of £40,236,142 announced at the end of the TV show.

This year’s event marked the 11th anniversary of Red Nose Day and the 21st anniversary of Comic Relief in the UK. To date, £425m (825 USD) has been raised.

Kylie, Moby and McCartney Give Charity Canvases

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 18:44:33 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

The Hospital Gallery in London’s Covent Garden is to exhibit a collection of celebrities’ paintings before they are sold at auction to aid Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Celebrity contributors to “The Alive and Well Dog Project” include artist Damien Hirst, and such stars as Kylie Minogue, Paul McCartney, Moby, legendary soccer player Pelé, and comedian Ricky Gervais. Each of the 130 contributed paintings is an interpretation of a doodled dog drawn by the six-year-old son of event organiser Simon Freedman. The auction could raise as much as £300,000 for the children’s hospital.

The exhibition will run from January 29 to February 7, with the auction taking place at the gallery itself on January 31. A book of the project will also be available, in a limited run of 600 copies.

Great Ormond Street Hospital was famously given the rights to “Peter Pan” by author J. M. Barrie.

2006 Teenage Cancer Trust Performances

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 22:15:24 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Cure and Ricky Gervais will be performing for the annual Teenage Cancer Trust series. A full list of the performances, held in London from March 27th-April 1st, can be found at the Teenage Cancer Trust website.

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