Look To The Stars News: Sandi Thom

Rod Stewart Supports Charity Busking

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Rod Stewart is encouraging performers to take to the streets and raise money for a cancer research charity.

The 64-year-old has been made a patron of Cancer Research UK’s Busking Cancer 2009, an event that will take place in the UK from June 20-27.

“When it comes to busking, I’m your man,” he said. “That’s how I started in the early 60s on the streets of Paris. So the idea of Busking Cancer has my support. It’s what music is all about just getting out there and singing or playing for the sheer joy of it. And if you can earn a few quid for Cancer Research UK – a few quid that might just help to save someone’s life – what could be better?”

Billy Boyd Performs At Charity Awards

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Lord of the Rings actor Billy Boyd appeared at a charity music awards ceremony in Glasgow, Scotland, during the weekend to raise money for Nordoff Robbins.

The star performed with his band, Beecake, and accepted a People’s Choice Best Live Act award at the Tartan Clef Awards. Beecake also received the most votes from fans in an online poll organized by tourist organization Visit Scotland.

The event raised £100,000 (US$200,000) to help fund music therapy in Scotland.

Sandi Thom Backs Oxfam Campaign

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Scottish singer Sandi Thom has launched a campaign aimed at easing the food crisis in developing countries.

The 27-year-old – who, according to her hit song, wishes she was a punk rocker – is supporting Oxfam’s effort to raise US$27 million to provide relief to African families.

Thom has just returned from a visit to Malawi, where she met with impoverished families.

Sandi Thom Shows Sunbed Danger

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Scottish singer Sandi Thom is taking part in a shocking new advertising campaign to warn youngsters of the dangers of sunbeds and skin cancer.

Cancer Research UK has published a series of photos of the singer depicting how Thom could look through overexposure to UV rays, which the charity said in some sunbeds can be 10 to 15 times higher than those of the midday sun. The images show severe skin damage in the singer, which could be caused by overexposure to UV from sunbed use or regular sunbathing.

“I’m in a state of shock at the thought of looking like this at 57 is terrifying,” said 27-year-old Thom. “Having seen these images I can honestly say I am never going to use a sunbed again. You can so easily get brown from a bottle these days, there is just no point in ruining your looks and risking skin cancer by using sunbeds. I hope the horrible image of me will make other young people think twice before they next use a sunbed.”

Buskers Joined By Stars For Charity

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:30:00 +0000

Chart-topping Scottish singer Sandi Thom is among a group of performers supporting what is expected to be Britain’s biggest busking – or street performing – event.

A variety of musicians and street performers will take part in a nationwide busking event next month in aid of cancer research. Busking Cancer will run from September 6-13, and all money raised will go to Cancer Research UK. Thom – who hit the charts in 2006 with I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker and has just released her second album, The Pink And The Lily – will be joined by a Johnny Cash tribute act from Glasgow, an all-girls school in London, a man who plays the shawn – a medieval instrument that sounds like the bagpipes, a Fleetwood folk club, a circus performer, a little boy from Milton Keynes who recently lost both his great grandparents to cancer, and Suggs – lead singer for British ska band Madness.

“Playing music is such a joyful thing and it’s the soundtrack to all of our lives,” said Suggs, whose hits include Our House, It Must Be Love, and House of Fun. “I’m lucky enough to make my living from it but many people just play for the sheer fun of it. That’s the joy of busking – you can just stand up and sing or play anywhere. People love to stop and listen. And to do it in aid of Cancer Research UK – to help anyone whose life has been touched by cancer – is just fantastic. I’d urge everyone to get out on the streets of Britain from September 6 to 13 and have one big party. Have some fun – and raise some money that might just help save someone’s life.”

Sandi Thom Tanks Up For Africa

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:30:00 +0000

She may wish she was a punk rocker, but Scottish singer Sandi Thom definitely is one of the hottest acts in the industry today. And last week she joined workers from Oxfam Scotland as they put up an 11,000-litre water tank in Glasgow’s George Square to encourage people to donate to the charity’s emergency work across east Africa.

According to the United Nations, rising food prices, poor rains and drought have left more than 14 million people in dire need of help across the continent, and the water tank was used to illustrate the practical assistance donations can buy.

“The water tank we have built today gives people an idea of where their money goes and how Oxfam responds in an emergency,” said 26-year-old Thom. “Drought and rising food prices are some of the main causes that are propelling millions of people in East Africa towards severe hunger and destitution. The work that Oxfam is doing in East Africa is essential and sadly necessary. People should support Oxfam’s work in trying to help people who desperately need it.”