Look To The Stars News: Lorraine Kelly

Celebrities Select Favorite Poetry For Charity Book

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0000

A book of children’s poems, selected by famous British personalities including Phil Tufnell, Richard Hammond and Sienna Miller as their ‘childhood favourite’, has been launched in aid of The Children’s Trust, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009.

The anthology of poems at just £4.99 – with £4.50 from each book going directly to the charity – will make a wonderful stocking filler for children.

Amongst other celebrities who have submitted their favourite verses are: award-winning author Jacqueline Wilson, Elaine Paige, Paul O’Grady, McFly, Lorraine Kelly, Quentin Blake, Rebecca Romero, Henry Winkler, Michael Absalom, Penny Smith, Lucy Speed, Simon Shaw, Helen Skelton, Dani Harmer (Tracy Beaker), Andrew Castle, Vic Reeves and Nancy Sorrell, with poetry writing tips from Colin West. Adding her support to the charity’s commemorative fundraising project, is the UK’s new poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, who has written the foreword.

The book of poetry and illustrations also includes a witty verse – based on a theme ‘Laughter – what makes you laugh?’ – written by 10-year-old Francesca Major from Looe, Cornwall, winner of a recent national, children’s competition aimed at budding young writers. The winning verse is featured with some of the nation’s most famous poems, including The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll, which has been selected by famous illustrator, Quentin Blake, whose special illustration of the poem appears on the front cover of the book. All the additional illustrations for the book are by children from The Children’s Trust.

Francesca Major’s school – Polperro Primary School, Looe, will also benefit from her success by receiving £500 worth of Walker books. The official poetry book launch, which will be a special celebration for press, celebrities and young people, including children from The Children’s Trust, will be hosted by The Draycott Education Centre and Draycott Nursing and Care in Chelsea at the end of October.

Money from the sale of the poetry books will help to enhance the lives of children with severe disabilities. The Children’s Trust is a British charity that provides care, education and therapy for children with multiple disabilities and complex health needs, and rehabilitation services to children with an acquired brain injury.

Published in association with Walker Books, the paperback can be purchased on-line from The Children’s Trust at: www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/walrusbook.

The Stars Come Out For Tilly

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A host of stars were out in the weekend to support a young British girl who contracted Meningococcal Septicaemia as a baby and lost her hands as a result.

Last year, Look To The Stars brought you the story of Tilly Lockey, who contracted a deadly form of flesh-eating meningitis for which there is no vaccination. It was every mother’s nightmare, and for four weeks Tilly fought back in intensive care. After ten blood transfusions later she was finally pronounced out of danger. Unfortunately her hands and toes were already dead, and had to be removed.

Tilly recently received her first set of prosthetic hands. According to her parents, “these need to be replaced as she grows, consultants have told us that they will need to be changed a minimum of once every year if not twice up until she is 18 years old! We received the invoice for the hands and they are costing £23,464.00 a pair. Therefore if we need to have a target of raising approx £800,000.00 to cover the costs up until Tilly is 18 years old.”

A star-studded event at Gateshead’s Hilton Hotel in the UK on September 5 saw over 100 celebrity hand prints auctioned to raise money for three-year-old Tilly. British stars such as fundraising patron Denise Welch, Duncan Bannatyne, Emmerdale’s Charlie Hardwick and Vicky Hawkins, and Waterloo Road’s Chris Greere turned out for the event, which featured hand prints from stars such as JK Rowling, Linford Christie, David Jason, Cliff Richard, David Prowse, Alan Shearer, Daniel Craig, Girls Aloud, the late Wendy Richard, cast members from Coronation Street, Bill Bailey, Geri Halliwell, Katherine Jenkins, Katie Melua, Jonathan Ross, Rolf Harris, Lorraine Kelly, the late Bobby Robson and many more.

Guests to the event were treated to an amazing fun-filled night for the very special little girl. Upon entering the venue, guests were able to have their photos taken with Jaws from the James Bond films and Bond’s very own Aston Martin. After being greeted by characters from Star Wars, they were then treated to a Champagne Reception, three course dinner and performances from Paul Lytton, Michael Donoghue and Richard Fleeshman.

There was also an amazing raffle where guests had the chance to win amazing prizes such as long haul flights, cosmetic treatments and much more.

To find out more about Tilly, visit her website.

Celebrity Handprints To Be Auctioned For Tilly

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Last year, Look To The Stars brought you the story of Tilly Lockey, a young girl who contracted Meningococcal Septicaemia as a baby and lost her hands as a result.

A number of stars, such as JK Rowling, Linford Christie, David Jason, Cliff Richard, David Prowse and Alan Shearer showed their support for Tilly’s cause by donating handprints and casts for a charity auction to give her new hands. Look To The Stars is now happy to announce that the 2009 Celebrity Handprint Auction will take place on September 5 at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Hotel in the UK.

The gala evening will feature entertainment from Paul Lytton, Michael Donoghue and Richard Fleeshman, as well as a Champagne Reception and 3 course dinner.

Other handprints up for auction on the night include Daniel Craig, Girls Aloud, the late Wendy Richard, cast members from Coronation Street, Bill Bailey, Geri Halliwell, Katherine Jenkins, Katie Melua, Jonathan Ross, Rolf Harris, Lorraine Kelly, Bobby Robson and many more.

To purchase tickets to the event, view the handprints, or find out more about Tilly’s cause, visit the official website.

Bid On Signed Books, Photos And Even C3P0 To Support Children With AIDS

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Celeb2nds.com – a website that specializes in celebrity charity auctions – is currently holding an amazing sale of celebrity-signed items for the Children with AIDS (CWAC) charity.

There is a huge amount of books going under the hammer at the site, including titles signed by Ted Turner, Richard Branson, Michael Parkinson, Geri Halliwell, Piers Morgan, Terry Pratchett, Chris Tarrant, Jeffrey Archer, Maeve Binchy, Bernard Cornwall, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Paul Auster and many others.

For autograph hunters who are looking for signed photos, there is a massive selection including pictures signed by Terry Wogan, Moby, Davina McCall, Lorraine Kelly, Tess Daly, David Gower, Rio Ferdinand, Boris Johnson and a particularly revealing signed shot of Danielle Lloyd.

And for Star Wars fans, the auction also gives you the opportunity to pick up a C3PO toy signed by Anthony Daniels, who played the droid in all six films.

Also up for offer – and reported by Look To The Stars last month – is a rare copy of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows signed by JK Rowling.

The items were collected by Richard Barker, who was inspired by the stories of young people that had been infected and affected by HIV, and was nominated as Britain’s Most Inspiring Fundraiser in 2008. Barker created The Make A Child Smile Appeal and has raised over ten thousand pounds for CWAC. As a Non-Executive Director of Celeb2nds he’s able to raise money for lots of worthy causes.

Children with AIDS Charity (CWAC) was set up in 1992 to help the youngest of those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS maintain a good quality of life. It is a national UK charity with the aim of working towards a future without poverty or prejudice for these children and their families. Patrons include George Michael, Diana Rigg, and Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon.

Celeb2nds.com was set up in 2006 by Steve Howell to specifically raise much needed funds for charities using authentic celebrity memorabilia.

“Celeb2nds.com is an exciting new concept that allows users to get their hands on money can’t buy items from their celebrity idols, whilst raising money for some very worthy charities,” he said.

To view the items on auction, visit Celeb2nds.com by clicking here.

GMTV Presenter To Lead Charity Walk

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British television presenter Lorraine Kelly is to lead hundreds of women on a midnight walk through Stirling in Scotland to raise money for a hospice for the terminally ill.

The GMTV presenter will lead the walk on May 2 to raise funds for the Strathcarron Hospice in Denny, a facility established in 1981 to care for patients with active aggressive illnesses. The hospice relies on donations and volunteers to operate, and requires over £2.6million every year – £50,000 a week – to maintain its services. Over 1,500 women are expected to take part in the fundraising event, which will cover a distance of around 10 miles.

“I am really looking forward to the walk,” said Kelly. “It’s good to have a goal to aim for as it makes you go out even if it’s rainy and you don’t feel like doing any exercise. I am going out for at least three big walks a week with Rocky, my border terrier, building up from 20 minutes to at least an hour. I find it a real stress-buster, especially when I’m with friends and we can have a big catch-up and chat all the way. I think women in the Stirling area should try to take part mainly because they will be helping a wonderful cause but also because they can get fitter.”

The presenter hopes the walk will raise £70,000 for the hospice.

The entry fee is £15, and every walker will receive a special Midnight Walk T-shirt and medal for completing the course. For more information and an entry form, visit the Strathcarron Hospice website.

British Stars Get Really Naked For Charity Calendar

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The National Osteoporosis Society in Britain is giving you the chance to see some of the nation’s favorite stars as you have never seen them before – completely and truly naked.

Joanna Lumley, Michael Parkinson, Joan Rivers, and Bruce Forsyth are among the celebrities that have shed their clothes – and their skin and organs – for the new calendar, which features x-ray photos taken by Nick Veasey of the stars’ bones.

The Really Naked Calendar is part of Love Your Bones, a campaign to raise awareness of the steps people can take in younger years to increase their chances of bone health as they age.

“Before I got involved in this project I had believed osteoporosis to be a frail old woman’s disease – which I’m pretty sure is what the population seem to think, too,” said Veasey. “Well it’s not – it’s hugely common in men and women of all ages and is a painful and debilitating disease. This is why I’m pleased to work on this project. The inspiration for the collection of images was to peer beyond the sometimes superficial celebrity image, highlighting that beauty is more than skin deep, and that essentially, what we all share is the need to care for our bones inside.”

Other stars baring all for the calendar include Strictly Come Dancing star Craig Revel Horwood, Lorraine Kelly, James Martin, Dame Tanni Grey Thompson and Steve Williams.

The calendar is available from the National Osteoporosis Society website.

Annie Lennox Supports Charity Initiatives

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A host of Scottish celebrities – including Annie Lennox, Lorraine Kelly, Carol Smilie, Sam Torrence, Michelle Mone, and Lee McConnell – have pledged their support for a new campaign to raise awareness of Scotland’s 9000 children who run away from home every year.

Aberlour Child Care Trust, Scotland’s largest children’s charity, has launched its Home Sweet Home campaign to help support young runaways, many who have experienced abuse or neglect at home and see running away as their only option.

“To me, a home should be a haven,” said Lennox. “Home Sweet Home means a place that is uniquely special to you and the people you share your life with. This campaign highlights the worrying problem of young runaways in Scotland. With our support, Aberlour Child Care Trust can continue to help these youngsters who may be exposed to danger during life on the streets. My grandparents lived a few miles beyond the village of Aberlour and I have very special childhood memories of spending time there. Knowing that a happy childhood isn’t an experience that we all share, it’s vital that we recognise this issue and give others the chance to live in a home where they feel totally loved, safe and secure.”

The Home Sweet Home campaign continues Aberlour’s drive to raise £500,000 (US$1 million) to help support its runaways. More funds are urgently needed to continue to provide vital services and potentially extend them further, ideally by setting up other refuges. Donations can be made through the Aberlour website.

The campaign isn’t the only charity initiative 53-year-old Lennox is currently involved in. The singer – who recently underwent surgery on her back – will also attend the 4th Global Partners Forum (GPF) on Children affected by HIV and AIDS, to be held at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, on October 6 and 7.

Co-hosted by Irish Aid and UNICEF, the forum will bring together leaders in Government, civil society and UN agencies to review global progress, set priorities, and make commitments for children affected by HIV and AIDS. It will also be attended by the Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, as well as Ann Veneman, CEO of UNICEF; Jimmy Kolker, Chief of the HIV and AIDS programme at UNICEF; and the first Lady of Honduras.

More information about the forum can be found at the Irish Aid website.

Look To The Stars News: Lorraine Kelly

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