Look To The Stars News: Shane Warne

Michael Parkinson Becomes Charity Patron

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:30:00 -0000

British TV presenter Sir Michael Parkinson has been named the patron of the Child Bereavement Charity in the UK.

The charity provides support and information to all affected by the death of a baby or child or when children are bereaved and also provides accessible training for over 5000 professionals who work with these families and children.

Parkinson has been a long-time supporter of the charity and recently hosted The Ashes Golf Challenge, a major fundraising event for the charity that featured Australian and English cricketers battling it out on the golf course.

“The idea came up when I was having lunch with Ricky Ponting in Australia earlier this year," said Parkinson. “I suggested that if he supported my charity, I would support his. And so the idea of pitching England against Australia in a golf challenge during the Ashes series was born.”

The event – which also featured cricketer Shane Warne – raise over £75,000 for the charity.

“The work that the Child Bereavement Charity does is incredibly important and it’s a privilege to be able to help,” said Parkinson.

“We are thrilled that Sir Michael has agreed to join our team of patrons and lend his support to our work,” said Ann Chalmers, chief executive of the charity. “His personality and flair will make a huge difference to raising the profile of our work and much-needed funds to support families and professionals when the unthinkable happens – when a child dies or is bereaved of someone important to them.”

Sport Heroes Donate Art To Charity

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Sir Alex Ferguson, Theo Walcott, Thierry Henry, Joe Calzaghe and Shane Warne are just some of the sporting heroes whose artwork will be on display at the Catto Gallery in Hampstead from September 25 to 27 in aid of national charity, the Willow Foundation.

The Willow Foundation, set up by Arsenal legend Bob Wilson and his wife Megs, is a national charity that provides special, morale-boosting and memorable days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds.

The Art of Sport is an exhibition of unique artworks created by famous sportsmen using the tricks of their trade to apply paint to canvas with exceptional results. These stunning pieces of conceptual art have been created by stars from the worlds of football, snooker, golf, cricket, motor cycling and boxing and each has been signed by its creator.

Included in the exhibition is artwork by Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie, Theirry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Jens Lehmann, Ricky Hatton and Ronnie O’Sullivan, amongst others. Originals and prints will be for sale with all proceeds to the Willow Foundation. The artwork can also be viewed online at www.willowfoundation.org.uk/artofsport

Charity co-founder, Bob Wilson, said: “The generous support and creativity of this great mix of sports personalities has produced a superb range of artwork which ultimately helps the Willow Foundation to make a difference to the lives of people living with life threatening conditions at a time when they need it most. Sports fans will love Impact Art so come along to the exhibition or take a look at the artwork online.”

Willow Foundation Ambassador and Arsenal striker, Theo Walcott, said: “I am proud to be an ambassador for The Willow Foundation. Having seen the work they do first hand in helping seriously ill young adults I was delighted to get involved with this art exhibition.”

To date the Willow Foundation has provided more than 5,000 special days for people living with cancer, cystic fibrosis, motor neurone disease and muscular dystrophy, amongst other conditions. In 2009, the charity’s 10th anniversary year, Willow will provide almost 1,500 special days compared to just 17 in its first year.

For further information visit www.willowfoundation.org.uk,

Kylie Minogue Leads The Stars In Australian Charity Concerts

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

Written by Tim Saunders

Over 120,000 people attended the Sound Relief fundraising concerts in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday, March 14, to raise money for victims of devastating fires and floods in Australia.

The concerts have raised over AUS$5 million to go towards the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Fund Appeal and Queensland flood relief efforts, with some of the world’s greatest entertainers turning on performances of a lifetime for a good cause.

Coldplay, Jack Johnson, Taylor Swift, Kings Of Leon, Neil Finn and Crowded House, and Kasey Chambers were just some of the artists that entertained the crowds, which included celebrities such as Toni Collette, David Wenham and Shane Warne. Kylie Minogue appeared at the Melbourne concert with a special rendition of I Still Call Australia Home, and the Sydney concert was closed by Olivia Newton-John and Barry Gibb, who performed Islands In The Stream and a wide range of Bee Gees hits. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin also joined Aussie legend John Farnham on stage for a duet on You’re The Voice.

“I was ready and I think the cause is so great – it’s essential,” said Barry Gibb, who flew in from the US the day before the concert. “I think we all need to be incensed about what happened and I think we need to care and I think we need to make the statement, so [that’s why] we’re here.”

Prince William and Prince Harry also made their first ever Australian address – via video – telling the crowds that they could “only imagine” what victims were going through and asked people not to forget the “amazing efforts” of the emergency services.

“It was a day for the ages, an event like no other that will live in the hearts of many Australians for generations to come,” said concert organizers, who went on to say that it was the biggest paying audience at any Australian concert or charity event ever. Millions more heard the concert on television and radio.

Among other bands to perform on the night were reunions of Hunters And Collectors, Icehouse, Split Enz, and Midnight Oil.

Olivia Newton-John Sends Message Of Hope To Fire Victims

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Olivia Newton-John has sent a message of hope and love to the victims of the Australian bushfires. Speaking exclusively to Look To The Stars, the multi Grammy winning artist has urged people to donate to disaster relief funds

“My heart goes out to [the victims],” she said. “My heart hurts for my country and the animals and people of Australia and I just can’t imagine the horrors they’re going through. I send my love, I wish I was there to do more at this moment. I’ve been really touched by the generosity of the Australian people because they are an amazing resilient people that have always dug deep to help. I ask everybody to dig even deeper because this is just an unprecedented catastrophe. I send out my love and light to everybody affected.”

The singer’s words come the day after a massive benefit concert/telethon was held in Australia to raise money for the cause. Australia Unites featured a host of celebrities including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Rachel Griffiths, Naomi Watts, Ellen DeGeneres, Anthony La Paglia, Shane Warne, Rove McManus, and Australian Olympic legend Cathy Freeman. Manning the phones for the evening were Orlando Bloom and girlfriend Miranda Kerr. Among the performers were The Living End, Jessica Mauboy, Jimmy Barnes, Lee Kernaghan, Shannon Noll, Kate Ceberano, and John Williamson.

Hosted by Eddie McGuire on Channel 9, the telethon raised over $20 million for Red Cross relief efforts.

“Our hearts go out tonight to all the families that are dealing with the loss of loved ones and having to rebuild their lives again,” said Nicole Kidman, who appeared via satellite with husband Keith Urban and donated $500,000 to the cause. Canadian singer Michael Buble donated a further $50,000, as did Australian actor Anthony La Paglia.

The Red Cross Fire Appeal has already raised over $75 million, but much more is needed to help the thousands of victims who have lost their homes, possessions and even their families in the disaster. Over 180 people have been confirmed dead, with the toll expected to rise above 200. To donate to the appeal, contact your local Red Cross, or visit the Australian Red Cross website.

Be sure to click back to Look To The Stars early next week for an exclusive interview with Olivia Newton-John.

Shane Warne Puts His Cards On The Table

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne has joined with World Poker Champion Joe Hachem to host a poker tournament to benefit sick and underprivileged children down under.

October 27 will see the Crown Casino in Melbourne come alive as the pair kick off the tournament with a tongue-in-cheek “learn to play poker” session, followed by an evening of high rolling fun.

There is guaranteed to be a celebrity playing at every table, with Kath and Kim’s Glenn Robins and ex-Westlife singer Brian McFadden already signed up and ready to go.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Shane Warne Foundation, which has contributed more than $1.7 million to needy charities and individuals since 2005.

The event has a prize of $25,000, and there is a $1000 buy-in. To attend, you must first register online.

It's Never Too Crowded For Charity

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:35:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Half of the band is American, yet they originated in Australia, and the lead singer is a New Zealander. Veteran pop band Crowded House can truly be considered as one of the most international music groups ever to grace the airwaves. And even though they are currently halfway through a world tour to promote their latest album, they still find time to be part of a new collaborative CD to raise money for Oxfam.

“The Cake Sale” (CD /MP3) is a new record featuring a loose and expansive collective of musicians and writers, including Crowded House founding member Nick Seymore, who have combined to create a 9 song CD of previously unreleased recordings. Profits from the album, which also features Nina Persson from The Cardigans, Damien Rice, and Snow Patrol, will go to Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign, as well as to their overseas program work. It was released in Britain in September, where it has already raised almost $300,000, and was made available in the US on October 16.

Crowded House formed in 1984, as a result of the demise of an earlier band called Split Enz. Ex-Enz singer/songwriter Neil Finn, and drummer Paul Hester, joined bass player Nick Seymore to form the new band, then travelled to Los Angeles. There they were signed to Capital Records. Over the next 12 years, the band released four albums, and garnered a loyal fan base with a strong repertoire of hits on both sides of the Atlantic, including “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, “Weather With You”, and “Four Seasons In One Day”.

In 1996, the band called it a day, and played a final Farewell To The World concert to 120,000 people in front of the Sydney Opera House. Proceeds from what many regard as one of the most emotional gigs ever all went to the Sydney Children’s Hospital.

The following years saw the members of the group pursue new musical directions. Finn released two solo albums, and also travelled to Africa with Oxfam, a trip that resulted in him becoming an Oxfam Ambassador. In 2005, he was part of Oxfam’s Big Noise program, an international petition of more than 10 million signatures which called on decision makers to change unfair global trade rules so that people in developing countries have the chance to work their way out of poverty. He has since been part of a number of concerts to raise money for Oxfam, and also took time time entice his fellow New Zealanders to be a part of Oxjam in October 2007.

“You can do something,” said 49 year old Finn. “You can use your voice and tell the world that we won’t stand for people living in poverty any more. It’s not just about charity, it’s about justice. So stand up. Get singing, get playing. Make as much noise as you can and support Oxjam.”

Finn, who was awarded an OBE in 1993 for services to New Zealand music, also supports other charities in his native country, often contributing to celebrity auctions. One of the most popular of these is the annual auction held for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, New Zealand’s only dedicated music therapy centre catering for special needs children. In 2005, the hand-written lyrics to his most popular songs raised $15,000 for the charity.

In February 2007, Neil Finn played a charity show for Scope, England’s largest organization for people living with cerebral palsy. The concert was held at Stowe School in Wales, and also featured Aussie rocker, Jimmy Barnes. The event was followed by a celebrity auction featuring items donated by Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Elton John, and Australian cricketer, Shane Warne.

2007 also saw the reforming of Crowded House as a band, with the release of their new album, “Time On Earth”. The album, dedicated to the memory of drummer Paul Hester, went straight to the top of the charts in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, and was in the top twenty in many parts of Europe. One of the first gigs the band played together to promote the album was Hyde Park Calling, a benefit concert festival held in London on June 23 and 24. Organized in conjunction with Hard Rock Cafe, it was the first concert in the second annual Ambassadors of Rock Tour, a global concert series featuring top artists and bands, benefitting charities worldwide. The London concert, which also featured Peter Gabriel, Chris Cornell, and Aerosmith, raised funds for the Nordoff Robbins Foundation, a charitable organization that provides music therapy to autistic children, and Global Angels, a charity that acts as an umbrella fundraising mechanism for children’s projects throughout the world.

A few weeks later, Crowded House played at the Live Earth concert in Sydney, closing the show in memorable fashion, despite a power failure that meant most of their set was played in the dark.

“It feels right to us that the band should re-emerge at this time,” said Finn before the Live Earth concert. “We aim to make this show as vital and spirited as what has come before.”

More information about “The Cake Sale” album, which Hot Press describes as being “the album other charity records aspire to be”, can be found at www.thecakesale.com, and the official Crowded House website can be viewed at www.crowdedhouse.com.

Look To The Stars News: Shane Warne

Michael Parkinson Becomes Charity Patron

Related past articles

Sport Heroes Donate Art To Charity

Related past articles

Kylie Minogue Leads The Stars In Australian Charity Concerts

Related past articles

Olivia Newton-John Sends Message Of Hope To Fire Victims

Related past articles

Shane Warne Puts His Cards On The Table

Related past articles

It's Never Too Crowded For Charity

Related past articles