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?”

Last year’s Busking Cancer event – in which street performers from a wide range of genres donated their takings to Cancer Research UK – was a huge success. Fronted by Madness frontman Suggs, the event featured celebrities such as Sandi Thom.

“If you love music, busking is the perfect way to fundraise,” said Suggs. “You get to do what you enjoy and people love to stop and listen. You decide what you sing, where you play and when you do it. You can go it alone or hook up with other bands for a bigger, organized event. The important thing is that you take part, raise some money and of course – have some fun.”

For more information about the event, see the official website

Edit: Sandi Thom did not perform in 2008, but expressed her official support for the event.

Billy Boyd Performs At Charity Awards

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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.

“It’s my view that the Tartan Clefs will soon become as important to the UK music industry as the Brits or NME Awards,” said Nordoff-Robbins Scotland chairman Donald MacLeod. “The funds and recognition the event raises is invaluable and helps guarantee music therapy for all those who benefit from it.”

The other big winner on the night was Scottish singer Sharleen Spiteri, who won an Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. Spiteri – the lead singer for rock band Texas – recently performed for autistic children at a school in Scotland, and also took part in the Children in Need concert in London.

“Nordoff-Robbins does some wonderful things for people who have to contend with all manner of disabilities,” said Sandi Thom, who was a past winner at the Tartan Clefs.

Sandi Thom Backs Oxfam Campaign

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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.

“My visit to Malawi opened my eyes to the extent of poverty and the harsh reality of how some people live and how rising food prices are affecting them,” she said. “You have to ask yourself what you would do if you were in the situation many Malawians face. If you had a family to feed but the prices were doubling or tripling. The people I met in Malawi, and many millions like them around the world, need people here to show generosity when they need it most.”

Oxfam will use the money for its international development and humanitarian work on food and agriculture, and also to campaign for changes to trade and agricultural policies.

“The world food crisis is hitting the poorest hardest,” said Oxfam’s Malcom Fleming, who accompanied Thom on her trip. “Women and children are especially vulnerable. Many of the people we met in Malawi were already down to one meal a day, and it is expected things will get worse in the months ahead, with food prices possibly rising further still. Whatever the reasons behind the crisis, it’s clear that financial donations made now will help save lives in Malawi and elsewhere around the world in the next few crucial months.”

Sandi Thom Shows Sunbed Danger

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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.”

The images can be seen at the charity’s SunSmart website.

Buskers Joined By Stars For Charity

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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 is equally excited to be involved.

“Busking Cancer is fun, young and positive,” said the 26-year-old, whose latest hit is The Devil’s Beat.

The busking events will run all across Britain for a week.

Sandi Thom Tanks Up For Africa

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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.”

It is a sentiment that Oxfam supports.

“The situation in East Africa is dire, with colleagues witnessing heartbreaking situations where severely malnourished children are struggling to survive,” said Judith Robertson, head of the charity in Scotland. “Oxfam is there and responding to the situation, but we urgently need funds to help increase emergency response across the affected countries of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and northern Kenya.”

To learn more about how to donate to Oxfam, visit their website.

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