Look To The Stars News: Chrissie Hynde

Celebrity Paw Prints A Big Winner For Cat Charity

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

The UK’s largest feline welfare charity, Cats Protection, has been overwhelmed by the success of this year’s Celebrity Paws auction, which has raised a staggering £2,473.58 for unwanted cats and kittens in the UK.

This year’s most popular ‘paw prints’ were from singer Alison Goldfrapp, which was sold for £502.00, musical legend Phil Collins, which was sold for £430.00 and Top Gear presenter James May, which was sold for £271.00.

‘Paw prints’ from Peckham pals Sir David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, John Challis and Roger Lloyd Pack, who played Del Boy, Rodney, Boycie and Trigger in the popular sitcom Only Fools and Horses managed to raise £262.00 towards the auction.

When asked why he had chosen to support the charity, actor John Challis said: “I love cats and I have done a lot of work for charities with a similar cause. We actually inherited some feral cats on the farm and we decided to take care of them. They were breeding at the time, so we took them to the vets and found homes for their kittens. We weren’t really cat people before that, but I think that cats have a way of finding you. We have one male cat and one female- they both follow us around all of the time”.

Now in its third year, Cats Protection’s Celebrity Paws auction raises much needed funds for the charity, which helps over 193,000 cats and kittens every year. It is a simple and easy way for celebrities to show their support of the work that the charity does. Celebrities were asked to draw around their hand, decorate it in their own unique way, sign it and send it back to Cats Protection.

The money raised from this year’s auction will go towards building a state-of-the-art homing centre in Ferndown, Bournemouth. The Homing Centre will work alongside the charity’s volunteer-run branches in the area. With 24 homing pens and an on-site retail area for essentials, Ferndown will only offer cats which are ready to go to a new home – cutting out lengthy waiting times for cat owners to take their new pet home. It is hoped the Homing Centre will be open for early 2010.

Kate Bunting, the charity’s PR Manager, said: “We have had an amazing response to Celebrity Paws this year and we are very grateful to our celebrity supporters for contributing their own special works of art. The lucky winners of the ‘paws’ have got a truly one-of-a-kind item, which I hope they will treasure. The money raised from the auction will certainly support the ongoing work that we do and the exciting plans that we have in the pipeline for 2010.”

Other celebrities who took part in the auction included Chrissie Hynde and Tony Robinson.

For more information on the Ferndown Homing Centre Appeal, click here.

Chrissie Hynde And Phil Collins Lead Celebrity Paws Charity Auction

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Rock icon Chrissie Hynde, along with many other stars, is showing her support for unwanted moggies by donating her ‘paw’ print to the UK’s leading feline welfare charity Cats Protection.

Chrissie Hynde, who is best known as front-woman for The Pretenders, is among a long list of celebrities taking part in this year’s Celebrity Paws auction, which will run from 1 October to 10 October. Other supporters include musical legend Phil Collins, Alexei Sayle, Sir David Jason, Sir Jimmy Savile, Richard Wilson, Pam Ferris, John Challis, Tony Robinson, Tony Christie, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Bruce Forsyth CBE, Timmy Mallett, James May, Felicity Kendal, Su Pollard, Danny John-Jules, Sean Hughes, Kim Woodburn, Alison Goldfrapp and Roger Lloyd Pack.

Now in its third year, Cats Protection’s Celebrity Paws raises much needed funds for the charity, which helps around 157,000 cats and kittens every year. Celebrities were asked to draw around their hand, sign it, and style it in their own unique way. The drawings are then auctioned on eBay. Past auctions have raised an excess of £3,000 for the charity.

Kate Bunting, the charity’s PR Manager, said: “We have had an amazing response to Celebrity Paws this year and we are very grateful to our celebrity supporters for contributing their own special works of art. The paw prints are all completely authentic so I hope people will get bidding – it’s a real chance to get your hands on a one-of-kind item whilst supporting the work of the charity.”

Money raised from this year’s auction will go towards building a new Homing Centre in Ferndown, Dorset, which will make it simpler and easier for the public to adopt cats. The new centre will revolutionise the way unwanted cats are rehomed in the UK and support the work of the volunteer-run branches in the region.

Founded as the Cats Protection League in 1927, the charity adopted the name Cats Protection in 1998. Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and helps 193,000 cats and kittens each year through a national network of 253 volunteer-run branches and 29 adoption centres.

For the chance to get your paws on these fantastic works of art, and to find out who else has donated their one-off print to Cats Protection, please visit www.cats.org.uk/celebritypaws

For more information about the auction, or to make a donation to help the charity continue its cat welfare work, please call Cats Protection’s national Helpline on 03000 12 12 12

Chrissie Hynde To Protest At McDonalds

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Lunchtime diners at a downtown McDonald’s will get some food for thought on Monday, August 24, as Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders launches a provocative PETA campaign.

The singer will unveil her “i’m hatin’ it” parody ad (soon to be on billboards across the country) and present kids with PETA’s controversial “Unhappy Meals,” which include a menacing “Ronald McDonald” cutout, a mangled plastic chicken, and a “blood”-filled packet that urges McDonald’s to “Ketchup With the Times.”

The event will take place at 12 noon at McDonald’s, 242 S. 700 E., Salt Lake City.

Hynde and PETA are launching the campaign because McDonald’s in the U.S. refuses to adopt the less cruel slaughter standards that the company already uses in Europe. McDonald’s suppliers in this country use an outdated slaughter method that often causes birds to suffer broken wings and broken legs, have their throats cut while they are still conscious, and be scalded to death in defeathering tanks. PETA—along with McDonald’s own animal welfare advisory panel—has urged the company to require a less cruel slaughter method called “controlled-atmosphere killing” (CAK), which eliminates the worst abuses that birds suffer.

“McDonald’s means McCruelty as far as I’m concerned,” says longtime PETA spokesperson Chrissie Hynde. The rock star is also using her stage as a platform to urge a McDonald’s boycott and will toss “i’m hatin’ it” shirts to her audience. On Sunday, her world tour arrives in Salt Lake City, where she is playing at Red Butte Garden.

Stars Join Cyber Protest To Save Animals

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Celebrities are showing their support for an end to animal testing by joining an on-line virtual protest. Comedian Ricky Gervais, actress Joanna Lumley and rockers Brian May and Chrissie Hynde, are joining tens of thousands of people taking part in the virtual march to Brussels where the 20-year old law on animal experiments is up for review by politicians.

‘Mini-me’ virtual characters of Ricky, Joanna, Chrissie and Brian appear in the campaign cheering on the thousands of marchers from across the EU and they hope to persuade thousands more to take part at www.makeanimaltestinghistory.org/march.

More than 12 million animals such as rabbits, hamsters, monkeys, cats and dogs, are used in experiments in Europe each year. Many of the experiments can cause physical and mental distress to the animals. Animal lovers across the UK and Europe are taking to cyber-space to demonstrate support for improvements to the 20-year old law on animal experiments. Campaigners want greater restrictions on what the animals can endure, as well as a massive drive to develop non-animal alternative tests to ultimately replace the use of animals altogether with humane, 21st-century methods.

The virtual march at www.MakeAnimalTestingHistory.org/march was launched by the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research, Four Paws and The Humane Society International.

Ricky Gervais says: "When I was asked if I’d like to back the campaign to Make Animal Testing History I said “Yes”, immediately, as it is a cause that I am very, very passionate about. When they said it involved a march, I said forget it. But when they said it was a virtual march and I would have to do very little except show my support and give a quote, I jumped at the chance. On a serious note, we need EU politicians to vote for more humane science. With all the non-animal techniques available now and in the future, we really don’t need to hurt animals to make medical progress."

Joanna Lumley OBE, said: "Join me fabulous walkers, in showing how much we care for the feelings of our fellow creatures, and how soon we long for all animal testing to become a thing of the past. Tell everyone you know how easy it is to sign up, pack some sandwiches and, as Nancy Sinatra so succinctly put it, “Start walking!!!”

Queen guitarist Brian May CBE said: “Humans do not have the right to abuse other animals in any way whatsoever. What on Earth makes us think we are that important? If we want to call ourselves civilised, a change is long overdue. No animal should ever be subjected to indignity or discomfort, far less, a painful death, in the name of science. Let’s make this despicable behaviour History.”

Chrissie Hynde said: “Animal experimentation just doesn’t make sense in the 21st century. It causes suffering to millions of animals and it’s hardly cutting-edge science. Thousands of people are cyber-marching right now to Make Animal Testing History and I’m right there with them cheering them on. Let’s stop filling our laboratories with monkeys and mice and use modern alternative research methods instead. See you on the march!”

Citizens from across Europe are being invited to get e-active by signing an online pledge of support to Make Animal Testing History and creating their own personalised character to join the mass cyber parade through Brussels towards the European parliament. The law will be debated during the coming months by politicians across Europe.

Click here to find out more and take part.

The Pretenders Launch Charity YouTube Competition

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders – along with PETA and YouTube – are putting together a contest where fans can make their own video for the band’s hit song “Boots Of Chinese Plastic” from their latest album Break Up The Concrete.

Fans and animal lovers are being asked to create videos via YouTube, lip synching the song “Boots Of Chinese Plastic.” Contestants are also asked to show off their boots or shoes of plastic somewhere in the performance. One winner will be chosen by the band and later flown to Los Angeles to perform their version in the band’s video for the song.

“This is a fun way to raise awareness for a very serious cause,” said Hynde. “We are looking forward to seeing our fans and animal loving friends perform Boots of Chinese Plastic via YouTube”

The video will debut on the PETA, YouTube and Pretenders websites in an effort to raise awareness for PETA.

“We’re excited to have the casting net for this special Pretenders video be open to everyone via You Tube, with the promotion help of Apple QuickTime. The winner is going to have a lot of fun while supporting a great cause,” said Cory Llewellyn, head of digital promotion at Shangri La Music.

Band founder Chrissie Hynde has been one of the most outspoken activist for animal rights and has been a member of PETA for many years.

For more information, click here.

Give Landmines The Boot With Charity Auction

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A British charity for victims of landmines has launched their annual online celebrity shoe auction.

The Mines Advisory Group has gathered footwear from over 50 celebrities for the auction, which will raise vital funds for their projects and draw attention to the part of the body most vulnerable to landmines.

The auction was launched by model Kelly Knox, the glamorous winner of BBC 3’s best disabled model competition, at Merchant Taylor’s Hall in London.

“We are extremely honored to have Kelly launch our shoe auction this year,” said MAG’s Chief Executive Lou McGrath OBE. “Despite being born without a left forearm, Kelly has proven disability is not a deterrent to success. She should be an inspiration to the many thousands of people who have been cruelly maimed by the thousands of landmines still threatening lives and communities worldwide.”

Celebrities who have donated their soles to the cause include Judi Dench, Geri Halliwell, Chrissie Hynde, Beverley Knight, Ian McKellen, Shirley Bassey, Russell Brand, Jarvis Cocker, Heather Mills, Joanna Lumley, Susan Sarandon, Pete Townshend, KT Tunstall, Chris Martin, Rolf Harris, and many others.

The auction ends on December 4 and can be accessed via the MAG eBay site.

British charity auction site Buy Once Give Twice also currently has some exciting opportunities for philanthropic bargain hunters.

Rays of Sunshine – a charity that grants wishes to seriously and terminally ill children in the UK – have a whole bunch of VIP tickets up for grabs on the site right now, including concert experiences with Coldplay, Madness, and the Kaiser Cheifs. There is also a Fender guitar signed by Sting up for grabs, as well as a Chelsea football shirt signed by the whole team, and the chance to hang out with Emma Thompson on the set of the new Nanny McPhee movie.

But you better be quick, this auction ends tomorrow, November 26.

Kristen Johnston Bares Her Soul - And More - For PETA

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former 3rd Rock From The Sun actress Kristen Johnston has appeared in a sexy new advert for PETA.

The 41-year-old actress has stripped off for the ad and appears in a Lady Godiva-type pose on horseback in a bid to stop New York’s horse-and-carriage industry. She joins a host of other stars who have already raised awareness of the plight of the horses used to tow carriages around Central Park, including Pink, Chrissie Hynde, and Alec Baldwin.

According to PETA: “Horses used in the horse-drawn carriage industry are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them. These gentle, social animals are denied the opportunity to socialize with other horses, graze in fields, and run free.”

“I was blown away by how these horses live, or actually I should say, don’t live,” said Johnston. “The horses go from this horrible job, where they’re pulling people through the streets of Manhattan all day, to this tiny jail cell in this building that’s like a cramped parking garage. I’d say to tourists considering coming to New York, there’s so much amazing stuff to do here. But please do something else. Go ice-skating, see a show, go shopping. I hope within the next year that there are no more horse-drawn carriages.”

The advertising campaign will debut in Central Park on Thursday, November 20, and has drawn support from New York City council member Dan Garodnick, who aims to phase out horse-drawn carriages and replace them with eco-friendly “horseless carriages.”

PETA Gives Away Chrissie Hynde's Guitar

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rocker Chrissie Hynde is well known for her animal activism, and PETA is giving you the chance to win a signed guitar from the singer.

The 57-year-old has been a high-profile animal rights activist for many years, leading demonstrations, organizing petitions, and opening her own vegetarian restaurant – The VegiTerranean in Ohio – in 2007. The star led a protest against KFC in France in 2004, where she and other activists smeared “blood” on the windows and were arrested, and has also called for a stop to the horse-drawn carriage industry in New York.

Hynde’s band, The Pretenders, has just released their new album – Break Up The Concrete – and to celebrate, PETA is giving away copies of the album, as well as a Fender Stratocaster guitar signed by the singer. Just visit the PETA website before November 1 to be part of the draw.

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