Look To The Stars News: Hayley Westenra

LTTS Exclusive - The Variety Club 57th Annual Showbiz Awards

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Look To The Stars’ UK Correspondent Richard Barker was lucky enough to attend the Variety Club’s 57th Annual Showbiz Awards and filed this exclusive report and photos.

I was delighted to spend some time with A-list celebrities from music, film, theatre and television on the Red Carpet. The event was in aid of one of UK’s longest running children’s charities, The Variety Club, as it celebrated its Diamond Jubilee.

London saw some of the brightest stars from the showbiz world light up London’s West End as they congregated on the Red Carpet at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London W1 to show their support for one of UK’s longest running charities dedicated to sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people – The Variety Club – and to honour the most talented individuals from the world of entertainment at The Variety Club’s 57th Annual Showbiz Awards 2009. Don’t worry readers if you are based in England but weren’t there on the night – you’ll get a chance to watch the glitz, the glamour and hear the gossip on FIVE on Sunday 22nd November 2009 at 3.35pm.

The evening’s star-studded event commenced with an array of international A-list celebrities, industry stalwarts and leading luminaries from the worlds of film, television, comedy, theatre, popular music and classical music gracing the Red Carpet. The guest list welcomed names such as Kevin Spacey, Ben Kingsley, Patrick Stewart, Kelly Brook, Alesha Dixon, Dame Kelly Holmes (Ambassador for The Variety Club), David Suchet, Jon Culshaw, Alan Carr, Justin Lee Collins, Pixie Lott, Spandau Ballet, The Saturdays, Daniela Lavender, Faryl Smith and Joe Calzaghe. The stars shined for cameras as they made their way to an exclusive reception where champagne flutes were overflowing, as a prelude to a gourmet banquet and the coveted awards ceremony, which took place against a theatrical backdrop of exclusive world-class entertainment, including dazzling performances by Spandau Ballet, Pixie Lott and Faryl Smith.

The only event of its kind to honour the entire showbiz industry, this year’s winners included: Kevin Spacey, who was presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre by fellow actor David Suchet; Justin Lee Collins, who was presented with the Television Presenter of the Year Award by Alan Carr; and Spandau Ballet, who were presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Popular Music by The Saturdays.

On receiving his award, Sir Ian McKellen said, "This is an over-generous recognition of a career which, in truth, has been its own reward. Acting is working with friends and entertaining people and that’s quite enough for me. The Variety Club is having its 60th birthday, which means I was ten years old at the time in 1949, living in the north of England in Wigan, Lancashire. I was, without knowing it, preparing for a life in show business.

The Variety Club is the essence of life for kids who desperately need the help to get healthy. I am full of admiration for the work you have done for the past 60 years and hope you carry on with the work you do. I am extremely honoured to be associated with this charity and this award."

The Variety Club Showbiz Awards is one of the most eagerly anticipated entries on the British entertainment calendar and has become an international celebrity institution in itself. Nearly every showbiz personality of note from the past 60 years has been honoured by The Variety Club, renowned for its strong links with the showbiz world, including Tommy Trinder, Dame Vera Lynn, Lord Laurence Olivier, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Sir Alec Guiness, Sir Michael Caine, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Judy Dench, Ben Kingsley, Diana Dors, Daniel Craig, Keira Knightley, Jude Law, James McAvoy, Al Pacino, Peter Sellers, Tommy Cooper, Ricky Gervais, Alan Carr, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Katherine Jenkins and Hayley Westenra.

The Variety Club Showbiz Awards raises significant funds for and awareness of the work The Variety Club undertakes to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. Celebrating its Diamond Jubilee this year, the charity has raised over £200 million and improved the lives of more than a million children and young people since its inception. Among its tireless work, the charity provides Sunshine Coaches, Easy Riders electric wheelchairs, exciting and educational trips, equipment for children’s hospitals and life enhancing equipment.

Also at this year’s Showbiz Awards, The Variety Club, in partnership with The Co-operative, revealed the face of its 2010 Gold Heart campaign – Alesha Dixon. The Gold Heart badges will be sold in Co-operative food, bank, travel and pharmacy stores from 28th January 2010. Owned by its members, The Co-operative has a long and proud history of supporting charities, community groups and other good causes. Every £1 donated in-store to the fund will help The Variety Club to provide vital, life-changing equipment to those children that need it most.

John Sachs, Chairman, The Variety Club Showbiz Awards comments, "Once again, the Showbiz Awards has honoured the UK’s top entertainment personalities embracing television, film, comedy, theatre, classical and popular music. As The Variety Club also celebrates its Diamond Jubilee this year, there was even more glamour, showbiz magic and star appeal than ever before.

The prestigious event also helped raise awareness and funds for The Variety Club’s praiseworthy work and as one of the UK’s longest serving charities dedicated to helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people, our sole and primary focus is to make sure every child and young person is given the chance to reach their fullest potential."

Here are some facts about The Variety Club:
The Variety Club provides practical solutions to allow sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK to reach their full potential. This year sees The Variety Club celebrate its 60th year of bringing hope, independence and freedom to children and young people. In the past 60 years The Variety Club has raised over £200 million and helped more than a million children and young people. The Variety Club has donated more than 3,300 Easy Riders electric wheelchairs and mobility aids since 1981, put 4,890 Sunshine Coaches on the road and given around £20 million to children’s hospitals. To find out more information or donate go to www.varietyclub.org.uk. Follow the Variety Club on twitter here.

Children In Need Benefit From Charity Singles

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British comedian Peter Kay will unveil a new single to raise money for the BBC’s Children in Need charity at the organization’s annual TV extravaganza on November 20.

Details of the single are being closely guarded, but the charity is promising over 100 faces from Britain and America will be involved in the video.

Also available from HMV and download and benefiting Children In Need is “All You Need is Love” – a reworking of the Beatles classic, recorded at the famous Abbey Road studios, featuring the talents of Terry Wogan, Bill Wyman, Brian May, Bryan Ferry, Sharon Corr, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, Paloma Faith, Lee Mead, Hayley Westenra and more.

Last week, the charity benefited from a massive charity concert organized by Gary Barlow that saw a reunion between Take That and Robbie Williams, as well as performances by Lily Allen, Annie Lennox, Katherine Jenkins, Paul McCartney and many more.

Hayley Westenra To Headline Festival Of Remembrance

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:30:00 -0000

New Zealand-born songbird Hayley Westenra will headline the 2009 Festival of Remembrance in a tribute to the original Armed Forces sweetheart, Dame Vera Lynn.

Miss Westenra will take the spotlight on 7 November at the Royal Albert Hall with a rendition of “We’ll Meet Again” before an audience including Her Majesty the Queen, members of the Royal Family, and Dame Vera Lynn herself.

Narrated by broadcaster Huw Edwards, the Festival of Remembrance is the annual tribute to the sacrifices of British Armed Forces, conducted this year against the backdrop of losses in Afghanistan.

“I decided to pay homage to Dame Vera because once again, there’s a need to offer comfort and support to our brave Armed Forces through music,” said Miss Westenra, 22. “It’s important to remember that when Dame Vera recorded these songs, she was the same age that I am now – and now I’m singing for my generation.”

The New Zealand-born soprano will be joined by a stellar line-up that includes contemporary jazz artist Jamie Cullum, mezzo-soprano Faryl, and the Fron Male Voice Choir from Froncysyllte, Vale of Llangollen, Clwyd, in Wales.

Three serving soldiers who have recorded an album in support of Armed Forces charities, The Soldiers, will be singing from their debut release, “Bring Him Home”. A choirboy and choirgirl from St George’s School Windsor Castle and the choir of St Edward’s Oxford will also perform.

Music and pageantry will be provided by a number of military performances including the Massed Band of the Guards Division with the Guards Swing Band, the Band of HM Royal Marines and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.

This year’s ceremonies will include a tribute to D-Day veterans in the 65th anniversary of the landings which preceded the liberation of Europe and a number of war widows wearing the Elizabeth Cross, the new award bestowed upon the families of those who have fallen while on active service. The Festival citation will be read by Medical Assistant Kate Nesbitt, the first woman from the Royal Navy to be awarded the Military Cross.

The Festival of Remembrance is broadcast on BBC One and BBC Radio 2, drawing a television audience of more than 6 million viewers.

Kiwi Stars Record Charity Song

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Some of New Zealand’s best known international stars have recorded a new song to raise money for children in need.

Anika Moa, and Opshop have joined together for a version of Dave Dobbyn’s award winning song Beside You to raise money for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, a charity that provides music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger in New Zealand.

“Everyone was there with the best of intent,” said Jason Kerrison, lead singer for Opshop. “It’s all about helping children with special needs, and knowing this helps you drive yourself and be there in the best capacity.”

The trust was established four years ago by Hinewehi Mohi, whose daughter Hineraukatauri has severe cerebral palsy, and has since gained support from stars such as Hayley Westenra and Neil Finn.

“When you see the effect that music has on kids going through the centre it’s pretty profound,” Kerrison told TVNZ.

The single will start getting airplay on New Zealand radio this week and will be available for sale from New Zealand retail giant The Warehouse and for download from December 8.

Moa and Opshop will also perform the song with Dobbyn when they take part in the annual summer Winery Tour which begins on February 6.

Michael Caine Honored In Charity Showbiz Awards

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The 56th annual Variety Club Showbiz Awards were held in London on Sunday, November 16, to raise money for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

Among the stars to be honored at the ceremony were Sir Michael Caine, who picked up the prize for Outstanding Contribution to Showbusiness, as well as Hayley Westenra, Alan Carr, Noel Edmonds, the cast of the Hairspray musical, Kenneth Branagh and James McAvoy.

“The Variety Club Showbiz Awards are the oldest and most established awards in the UK that recognize the outstanding talent in the field of entertainment,” said Variety Club’s Showbiz Chairman John Sachs. “Due to the generous donations of all our guests and supporters, the vital funds raised tonight will enable Variety Club to continue to support children and young people throughout the UK.”

The ceremony will be broadcast on Sky1 in the UK on November 30.

Hayley Westenra Returns From UNICEF Trip To Ghana

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0000

UNICEF’s youngest ever Ambassador Hayley Westenra has returned from a recent trip to Ghana, where she witnessed the needs of some of the poorest children in the world for safe water and education.

The New Zealand-born international singing sensation recorded a daily video blog of her trip, detailing her trip to some of the programs she supports.

One such program was a Guinea worm containment centre in Savelugu, northern Ghanasaw, where the 21-year-old saw firsthand the terrible impact drinking water contaminated with Guinea worm has on children. Once the water-borne worms get into children’s bodies, they can grow up to a meter in length and create painful swelling and blisters.

Among the 20 patients being treated for Guinea worm at the centre was Ruhaina, 7. She had been weeping ever since her father had brought her three days earlier from their village some 18 km away. He stayed with her for two days, but when he had to return to work she was left alone at the centre. Westenra comforted Ruhaina with a Maori lullaby from New Zealand.

“It’s too much for a girl of her age to be going through, particularly when it’s preventable,” said Westenra.

UNICEF has been providing safe drinking water and hygiene education as part of the effort to combat Guinea worm. The parasite has a disproportionate impact on children under age 16, as they are more likely to play in or drink from infected water sources. Significant progress has been made, however, in reducing the incidence of Guinea worm in Ghana. In 1989 there were almost 180,000 reported cases, but the annual total is now down to a small fraction of that figure.

“The incidence of Guinea worm is at the point where there is an end in sight,” said Westenra. “The goal of eradicating it completely from Ghana is perfectly achievable, and UNICEF’s work in providing safe water and hygiene education is making a huge difference in the lives of children.”

Westenra also visited a number of kindergartens, observing classes in action and interacting with children on education, water and hygiene issues.

UNICEF support has helped boost the quality of education with a country-wide project that trains kindergarten teachers and attendants. UNICEF also provides reading kits and teaching materials to schools. For Hayley, a particular highlight of the program was the opportunity to meet with some of the roughly 6,000 girls from deprived rural communities who have benefited from the Bikes for Ghana program. Hayley launched the UNICEF New Zealand sponsored program during her previous visit to Ghana in 2005.

“The bikes program has proved a great success for girls who have to commute long distances from home to school,” she said. “The bikes are a practical and cost effective way for girls to get to school quickly and safely, as well as boosting their school attendance rates and academic performance.”

Westenra says that she feels very privileged to be able to return to Ghana and meet with children who struggle everyday with difficulties that are almost unimaginable to people in Western countries.

“I see the trip as very much about raising awareness of the conditions for children in need and how people can support UNICEF’s work to improve children’s lives in Ghana,” she said.

A video highlighting the singer’s visit can be viewed here.

Hayley Westenra In Ghana For UNICEF

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:30:00 -0000

UNICEF Ambassador Hayley Westenra is in Ghana this week, seeing for herself the needs of some of the poorest children for safe water and education.

Hayley Westenra – UNICEF’s youngest ever Goodwill Ambassador and an internationally renowned New Zealand singer – is undertaking a four-day program in Ghana from 23-26 September.

In rural Northern Ghana, Hayley will see firsthand the impact on children of drinking water infected with Guinea Worm. Once the water-borne parasites get into children’s bodies they can grow up to a metre in length and create painful swelling and blisters. Water-bourne Guinea Worm is a major problem for children in parts of Ghana. Anyone getting water from a pond or well previously used by a sufferer of Guinea Worm can be infected. Little children are the most common victims, accounting for two thirds of cases. If they’re thirsty, they naturally drink whatever is handy.

“Apart from the terrible pain and health effects involved, children’s normal lives are disrupted and their studies inevitably suffer,” said Hayley. “I will be very interested to speak to young child victims of Guinea Worm and to be briefed about UNICEF plans to provide safe drinking water to pre-schools in one of the worst-affected areas.”

To protect young children from Guinea Worm and other diseases in unsafe water, Hayley is supporting UNICEF NZ in bringing safe water to 30 pre-schools in one of the worst-affected areas. This includes training caretakers and mechanics so that the provision of safe water is a sustainable solution that can be looked after locally.

Hayley will also interact with children on water and hygiene education issues during visits to a number of kindergartens, as well as observing classes in action. UNICEF NZ support has helped boost the quality of education by training more than 140 kindergarten teachers and attendants – as part of a country-wide project – as well as providing reading kits and teaching materials.

A highlight of the program for Hayley will be meeting some of the almost 6,000 girls living in deprived rural communities who have benefited from receiving UNICEF bicycles. Hayley launched the UNICEF NZ-sponsored bikes for girls program during her previous visit to Ghana in 2005.

“The bikes program has proved a great success for girls who have to commute long distances from home to school. [They] are a practical and cost effective way for girls to get to school quickly and safely, as well as boosting their school attendance rates and academic performance.”

Girls in rural communities face major challenges to attending school, including long distances between home and school; time and energy taken to commute daily; and risk of sexual abuse and other forms of violence during travel.

UNICEF has purchased 5,700 bicycles and 60 tricycles for disadvantaged girls and children in rural communities in deprived districts. The bicycles were for school girls between 12 and 20 who have to commute long distances. The tricycles help children with special education needs.

“I am very privileged to be able to return to Ghana and meet face to face with children who are struggling with difficulties every day that are almost unimaginable to people in Western countries. I see the trip as very much about raising awareness of the conditions for children in need and how people can support UNICEF’s work to improve children’s lives in Ghana.”

Hayley Westenra Records PSA For UNICEF

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

New Zealand-born singing sensation Hayley Westenra has recorded a special message for UNICEF.

The 21-year-old shot to stardom in 2003 when her first international release, Pure, went to number 1 on the British charts. Now she is the youngest UNICEF Ambassador in the world, and she has recorded a special public service announcement asking people to join her by becoming a UNICEF Global Parent.

“With UNICEF, your contributions go further,” she says during the advertisement. “[It] helps not just one child, but many, many children all around the world.”

In 2005, Westenra visited Ghana with the charity to see firsthand the work UNICEF does. While there, the young star launched ’Hayley’s Bikes for Ghana’, a project that has already provided 6,000 bikes for children so they can attend school and find a better future. She also supports ‘PlayPumps for Ghana’, a project which aims to take clean water to over 6,000 children and their families.

“Meeting young people that are the same as me but with such a different world of opportunity has a profound affect on you,” she said after her visit. “I aspire to be a singer, which seems so unessential compared with their simple desire for a regular cup of clean water. You can’t go somewhere like that, meet those people and come back unchanged.”

Westenra is also involved in the Women’s Environmental Network, a group that raises awareness of environmental issues affecting women.

Hayley’s latest PSA can be viewed here.

Look To The Stars News: Hayley Westenra

LTTS Exclusive - The Variety Club 57th Annual Showbiz Awards

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