Look To The Stars News: The Proclaimers

The Proclaimers Walk 500 Miles For Charity

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Some of Sctoland’s best known celebrities – including author Ian Rankin and The Proclaimers – took part in a charity walk during the weekend.

The author and the iconic singers – brothers Criag and Charlie Reid – took part in the “500 Miles” walk to raise money for disabled people in Malawi and Zambia. Inspired by The Proclaimers’ song of the same name, the walk was organized by Olivia Giles, a former lawyer who had her hands and feet amputated due to meningitis. Each of the 500 walkers that took part walked a mile, with proceeds going to buy artificial limbs for people in Africa through an organization founded by Giles.

“This is about celebrating our mobility and using it to help people who do not have a national health service to support them if they lose theirs,” she said.

Others who took part included chef Nick Nairn, former Scotland goalkeeper Alan Rough, BBC presenter Fred Macaulay, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney and Jack McConnell, the former first minister.

The event started from the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and traveled a mile around the capital’s Festival Square.

The Proclaimers Support Charity Walkers

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Scottish duo The Proclaimers – famous for tunes such as I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – are showing their support – in more ways than one – for a major charity event this weekend by appearing on a bra.

The duo – comprised of Chris and Charlie Reid – have had their caricatures drawn onto both cups of the bra by cartoonist Malky McCormick. The bra will then be auctioned at the Edinburgh Moonwalk tomorrow night.

“We could never say no to helping a charity like this,” said Chris. “Every family has been touched by cancer, so we were only happy to do something. Even though Malky has drawn us as caricatures we are flattered by out portrayal – we have seen the drawings he has done of other people!”

The Edinburgh Moonwalk is part of a series of walks being held around Britain to raise money for breast cancer research. Organized by a charity called Walk The Walk, the walks feature men and women walking wearing bras and has to date raised in excess of £48 million for vital breast cancer causes. Launched in 1996 and with a patron in the form of Prince Charles, the charity donates its proceeds to Breakthrough Breast Cancer and other organizations.

Tomorrow’s Edinburgh Moonwalk will see 10,000 people pound the streets of the Scottish capital in their decorated bras to raise money for the cause.

“It’s a shame we can’t do the walk,” said Charlie Reid. “I am very interested in doing it in the future – possibly next year.”

To find out more about the Moonwalks, visit the official Walk The Walk website.

The Proclaimers - On Their Way To Charity

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:59:25 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

There are a lot of things that Scottish singing duo The Proclaimers would walk 500 miles to do, but taking drugs is not one of them. And the boys highlighted the point at a charity launch on Friday, when they hit out at junkie rockers for influencing children.

Identical twins Craig and Charlie Reid, who formed the duo in 1987 and have recently released their seventh studio album, appeared at the launch of the Lighthouse Foundation’s new Hear Us, See Us campaign in Kilmarnock, Scotland, on April 4, and immediately slammed some high profile celebrities for flaunting their drug habits.

“If you are a celebrity and have an addiction, I don’t think you should parade it,” said Craig. “I’m not for these people going on about their drug problems.”

“I’ve noticed drug-taking getting worse throughout our career in music,” added Charlie. “Why? Because they’re more available.”

The Hear Us, See Us campaign has been established to support children exposed to drugs by their addict parents. The organization already works with over 250 youngsters in Scotland, and hopes the new campaign will bring more out of the woodwork.

“This charity is doing something I hadn’t heard of – targeting the children,” said Craig. “It’s a shame there are not more of these across the country.”

“The passion and intelligence shown by the people who work here towards the kids really appealed to us,” added Charlie. “Drugs can become a way of life, and the fallout for the entire family is devastating.”

The duo, whose hits include I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) and I’m On My Way, are also helping a young autistic boy in their home country attend a special therapy in America. The pair are set to play a benefit concert in Dunfermline, Scotland, on July 8 in aid of 8-year-old Ivan McGraw.

Ivan suffers from a rare brain condition and severe learning difficulties, and led a life of silence for the first five years of his life. But a chance encounter with a dolphin whilst on holiday led the boy to start talking, and he has now made astounding progress at a dolphin therapy center in Florida.

“It’s just opened up a whole new world for Ivan,” said his mother, Wendy McGraw. “We’re determined to give our wee boy the best chance in progressing in any way he can. I feel that if I don’t, then I’ve let my son down by not giving him that chance.”

The July concert is expected to be a sell-out, and it is hoped to raise at least $24,000 for Ivan’s treatment.

“We’re delighted to support Ivan’s campaign,” said The Proclaimers. “We urge the whole of Dunfermline to get behind it.”

Look To The Stars News: The Proclaimers

The Proclaimers Walk 500 Miles For Charity

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