Look To The Stars News: Tess Daly

Taylor Swift Surprises Children In Need

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Taylor Swift was a surprise guest at this year’s BBC Children in Need extravaganza in London on Friday night – an event that raised a massive £20,309,747 for charity.

Hosted by Terry Wogan, Tess Daly and Alesha Dixon, the seven hour show featured actors from some of Britain’s favorite shows – including Doctor Who, The Bill and the One Show.

“Another fantastic fundraising effort – we didn’t get quite to £21m but we got pretty close,” said Wogan, referring to last year’s total. “By the time we give you the full total in a couple of months’ time, I bet it’s got to be pretty close to what we made last year.”

The highlight of the show – which featured performances by acts such as Peter André, Spandau Ballet, Westlife, JLS, Stereophonics and Annie Lennox – was the unveiling of comedian Peter Kay's charity single for the charity. Featuring a medley of songs from The Beatles, Take That, The Jackson 5 and many more, the video consists of over 100 characters from Britain’s television past.

Taylor Swift jetted in for her performance at the show – and donated over US$20,000 to the charity, which provides practical and lasting support to thousands of youngsters aged 18 and under, including those who have experienced homelessness, neglect, abuse or poverty, and those who’ve encountered serious illnesses, disabilities, psychological disorders or addictions.

Other highlights of the show included a preview of the Doctor Who Christmas Special; actors from British soap Hollyoaks performing a tribute to Queen; Terry Wogan in perion costume for Lark Rise to Candleford; and the Dragons’ Den team helping to renovate a community centre in London.

“This year we surpassed all expectations with the amount raised and I am in awe that in these tough times, the British public has shown such tremendous support and generosity,” said Wogan. “I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved and for the extraordinary lengths the country has gone to help raise money for disadvantaged children.”

Highlights from the show can be seen here.

Get Kylie Minogue's Heels And More In Charity Auction

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Kylie Minogue, Amanda Holden, Kelly Brook and Tess Daly are just some of the stars who have posed in their hottest high heels to help raise money to fund more research into women’s health issues.

Twenty one celebrities are taking part in the Heels That Heal campaign being run by Wellbeing of Women, a charity that has championed women’s causes for more than 40 years, funding vital research into gynaecological health, from establishing the cause of repeated miscarriages, to cures for ovarian cancer.

The stars launched an auction to raise money for the charity on eBay on Sunday, September 27, that includes Kylie’s high-heeled shoes, a lunch date with Peter André, Leona Lewis' sandels, afternoon tea with Rachel Stevens, a shopping trip with Amanda Holden, and boots belonging to Davina McCall and Fearne Cotton.

The auction runs until October 4 and can be accessed here.

Bid On Signed Books, Photos And Even C3P0 To Support Children With AIDS

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Celeb2nds.com – a website that specializes in celebrity charity auctions – is currently holding an amazing sale of celebrity-signed items for the Children with AIDS (CWAC) charity.

There is a huge amount of books going under the hammer at the site, including titles signed by Ted Turner, Richard Branson, Michael Parkinson, Geri Halliwell, Piers Morgan, Terry Pratchett, Chris Tarrant, Jeffrey Archer, Maeve Binchy, Bernard Cornwall, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Paul Auster and many others.

For autograph hunters who are looking for signed photos, there is a massive selection including pictures signed by Terry Wogan, Moby, Davina McCall, Lorraine Kelly, Tess Daly, David Gower, Rio Ferdinand, Boris Johnson and a particularly revealing signed shot of Danielle Lloyd.

And for Star Wars fans, the auction also gives you the opportunity to pick up a C3PO toy signed by Anthony Daniels, who played the droid in all six films.

Also up for offer – and reported by Look To The Stars last month – is a rare copy of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows signed by JK Rowling.

The items were collected by Richard Barker, who was inspired by the stories of young people that had been infected and affected by HIV, and was nominated as Britain’s Most Inspiring Fundraiser in 2008. Barker created The Make A Child Smile Appeal and has raised over ten thousand pounds for CWAC. As a Non-Executive Director of Celeb2nds he’s able to raise money for lots of worthy causes.

Children with AIDS Charity (CWAC) was set up in 1992 to help the youngest of those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS maintain a good quality of life. It is a national UK charity with the aim of working towards a future without poverty or prejudice for these children and their families. Patrons include George Michael, Diana Rigg, and Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon.

Celeb2nds.com was set up in 2006 by Steve Howell to specifically raise much needed funds for charities using authentic celebrity memorabilia.

“Celeb2nds.com is an exciting new concept that allows users to get their hands on money can’t buy items from their celebrity idols, whilst raising money for some very worthy charities,” he said.

To view the items on auction, visit Celeb2nds.com by clicking here.

Stars Come Out For Prince's Trust Spring Ball

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The annual Prince's Trust Spring Ball was held in the UK last night, March 5, and attracted a plethora of stars who wanted to show their support for the charity.

Held at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham, the event raised more than £90,000 for the Prince’s Trust, a charity set up by Prince Charles in 1976 to offer support to disadvantaged youth through training, mentoring and financial assistance.

The evening featured performances by singer Will Young and was attended by stars such as Jerry Hall, Erin O'Connor and Tara Palmer Tomkinson. The crowd was entertained by Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone from Strictly Come Dancing – who danced their amazing Argentine Tango – and enjoyed delicious cocktails and a three-course gourmet meal in the surroundings of magnificent Swarovski crystals.

Also at the event were British stars and Prince’s Trust ambassadors Vernon Kay and Tess Daly.

“It gives young people another chance, those who have been dealt a dodgy hand of cards from being abused as a child, drug addiction, for example, the Prince’s Trust makes them feel that they’re not an anomaly,” said Kay. “Nights like this are how the trust gets its money. These things don’t come cheap, especially in this day and age. Apparently there’s a credit crunch but people are still giving.”

Children In Need Concert Makes History

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British broadcasters Terry Wogan, Tess Daly, and Fearne Cotton hosted the annual BBC Children in Need charity concert on Friday, November 14.

The epic seven hour show featured performances from the Sugababes, Boyzone, Leon Jackson, McFly, the Stereophonics, John Barrowman, Il Divo, Jason Donovan Russell Watson, Alesha Dixon, Razorlight, Sharleen Spiteri and many others. Girls Aloud also made a special appearance, and there were surprise contributions from Ozzy Osbourne, Jack Black, Will Young, Richard Hammond, and Stevie Wonder. Take That donated £250,000 from their ticket sales and a recent Marks and Spencer modeling deal.

But perhaps the funniest highlights of the night came from a performance of Abba hits from six BBC newsreaders. The cast of Eastenders also took to the stage for a song and dance.

A total of £20,991,216 had been raised at the end of the broadcast making it likely that donations could be higher than last year’s total of £37 million.

“I am completely overwhelmed by the way the country has come together in support of BBC Children in Need, demonstrating such generosity in these tough times, and I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved,” said David Ramsden, BBC Children in Need chief executive. “We can now focus our attention on finding more great projects that can change young lives for the better.”

Fairy Wings Auctioned For Charity

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A group of celebrities are weaving a little magic for charity this week by auctioning fairy wings on eBay. But before you get too upset about cruelty to fairies, we should point out that the wings have been designed by the stars and absolutely no fairies were harmed in the making of this auction.

The auction, which runs from September 8 to 18, features fairy wings designed by pop princess Leona Lewis and royal Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Organized by the Walt Disney Corporation, the auction will raise proceeds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“I loved the idea of the Disney Fairy Wing Auction and was really pleased to be able to help and contribute to such a great cause,” said Lewis. “Great Ormond Street Hospital obviously does such an important job and the Disney Fairy Wings are a really fun way to raise money for such an admirable charity. I’ll keep my fingers crossed on the 8th September that lots of people bid for my wings on the Disney Fairies eBay page – I’d love to see them raise something for Great Ormond Street Hospital.”

Disney has pledged to raise £10 million (US$20 million) to revamp Great Ormond Street. A new café, restaurant and a Disney Interactive Zone will be built with the funds.

Joining Lewis and the princesses in designing wings for the auction are British TV presenters Tess Daly and Vernon Kay, designers Nicole Farhi and Orla Kiely, sports stars James Cracknell, Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman, supermodel Agyness Deyn and the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.

The auction can be accessed via eBay.

Children's Hospital Benefits From Formula One Party

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It was a case of life in the fast lane for a host of celebrities earlier this week when they turned up at the annual British Grand Prix Party in aid of the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Hosted by Vernon Kay and Tess Daly, the event raised over £700,000 (US$1.4 million) to build the hospital’s new Heart and Lung Center. Held at London’s famous Bloomsbury Ballroom at Victoria House, the event attracted a host of stars, including producer and hip-hop star Pharrell Williams, Simon Webb, Jamelia, and Formula One’s Jenson Button and Damon Hill.

“I stand fully behind the F1 efforts to make a better life for GOSH’s young patients,” said Button, who was one of the first to arrive on the red carpet – perhaps because of his fast driving skills.

Mark Webber was another driver in attendance to show his support.

“An Australian friend’s little boy was treated at GOSH,” he said. “Unfortunately he did not make it, but in his time at the hospital he was cared for so well that giving my support is a matter of the heart.”

Dinner was followed by an auction, which included the chance to bid on items such as an opportunity to complete two laps in Santander’s two-seater Grand Prix car, driven by ‘The Stig’ from BBC television’s Top Gear on race day of the British Grand Prix, a meet-and-greet with Barry Manilow, and the Steinmetz diamond-encrusted steering wheel used by Kimi Raikkonen.

The evening ended with dancing to the grooves of Basement Jaxx.

Great Ormond Street Hospital in London treats more than 100,000 ill children each year, and specializes in the most complex, life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. It relies on public donations to boost the Government funding it receives.

Sir Paul McCartney - Santa's Famous Charity Helper

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:03:27 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why – Santa Claus is coming to town… but he might not be alone.

The big man in red was joined by his good friend Sir Paul McCartney during a visit to the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) on December 17, as part of the facility’s 2nd annual Christmas party.

The singer spread some festive spirit around the 1,500 young patients of the children’s hospital, and also took part in a special karaoke session, belting out an impromptu version of S Club 7’s “Don’t Stop Movin’”.

“Sir Paul had everyone singing along,” said one of the partygoers. “The children were thrilled, but it was even more of a treat for the parents.”

The Great Ormond Street Hospital in London is a major children’s hospital that specializes in the most complex, life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. It regularly treats 150,000 patients a year. However, the government funding for the facility often falls short of the hospital’s needs, and the children rely on public donations for their on-going treatment.

“We’re delighted to be able to share this exciting day with the children, as they deserve a wonderful Christmas treat after coping so bravely with the tough year that many of them have had,” said TV presenter Tess Daly who, along with her husband Vernon Kay, also attended the event. “The Great Ormond Street Hospital does such fantastic work in helping the children get better.”

One of the children that Sir Paul met during his visit was 9-year-old Milly Pyne, who was born with a rare genetic disorder where the bones of her face and skull were fused together at birth. This brave young girl from Cumbria underwent surgery earlier this year, and earlier in December was honored at the Woman’s Own Children of Courage awards.

Sir Paul greeted Milly with a big hug, and then pretended to take a bite out of her medal.

The party also featured Santa’s Magical Workshop, where children could meet the big man, along with his elves and reindeer. They were also treated to festive food, and took part in games and toy making.

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