Look To The Stars News: Keith Duffy

Fans Remember Boyzone Star By Giving To Charity

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Fans of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, who died last week, have donated over $15,000 to a British children’s charity in his memory.

 Gately was a Goodwill Ambassador for Caudwell Children, a charity that focuses on donations to special children for medical treatment, therapy, specialized equipment, and dying wish holidays. Gately’s husband Andrew Cowles had requested that in lieu of flowers, fans could donate to his favourite charity.  

“It’s an amazing gesture for the charity and it sums up Stephen – he always thought of others first,” said charity spokesperson Trudi Beswick. “We’re already up to an amazing amount and hopefully we can buy wheelchairs and equipment and therapy for kids. It’ll be a lovely memory for everybody to remember him by. He was a fantastic goodwill ambassador for us. We really want to give feedback to everyone – to everyone that’s supported us, to Andrew, the family and everyone in Boyzone and thank them by showing them the children we’ve helped in a couple of months time.”

Gately’s funeral was attended by bandmates Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch, as well as many others. Messages of support were read out from George Michael, David and Victoria Beckham, Take That, U2 and Colin Farrell.

Gately was also an ambassador for British charity Missing People.

Charity Mourns Death Of Boyzone Singer

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The music and charity worlds are mourning the death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, who passed away on the Spanish island of Majorca on Saturday, October 10.

The singer was an ambassador of Missing People, a charity that provides support for missing children, vulnerable adults and families left in limbo.

“Stephen Gately was a compassionate man who was committed to using his popularity with young people to raise awareness of Missing People’s Runaway Helpline, and supporting families with missing loved ones,” the charity said in a release. "His support of the charity directly impacted many vulnerable adults, missing children and families across the UK. It is a very sad day for all those whose lives Stephen touched.

“The staff and volunteers at Missing People wish to send their collective sympathy to Stephen’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Other supporters of the charity include Richard Branson and Cliff Richard.

Boyzone members Ronan Keating and Keith Duffy are reportedly flying to Majorca, and we at Look To The Stars send the band and Stephen’s family our sincere condolences.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the Missing People charity should visit their website.

Celebrities Run For Charity In London Marathon

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Tens of thousands of people pulled on their running shoes and sweated their way through the annual London marathon yesterday, including a number of celebrities who were competing for charity.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was one of many who lined up at the start for his 10th time at the event. He ran once again for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association, an organization that supports, listens to and helps children, adults and families with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and related conditions.

“It’s time for a celebration,” he said. “We’re fighting a global credit crunch, and in terms of coming out and having fun, it costs nothing to come and watch.”

Also competing were British model Katie Price and husband Peter André, who ran for children’s charity Vision and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

“I don’t think you can ever be prepared for the marathon,” said Price, who raised over £250,000 for her charity. “It’s not a normal distance to run.”

“We’ve done the training,” added André. “Physically we may be up for it but I think psychologically is where we struggle.”

Other celebrities to take part included Boyzone singers Keith Duffy, who ran for autism awareness, and Ronan Keating – who ran for Cancer Research UK – as well as British cyclist Chris Boardman, who won gold in the 1992 Olympics and ran for The National Autistic Society, and weather girl Isobel Lang and 2002 Big Brother winner Kate Lawler, who competed for Cancer Research UK.

Last year’s event raised £46.7 million for charity.

Boyzone Singer Speaks Out About Autism

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Irish singer Keith Duffy from Boyzone is to run the London Marathon this year to raise money for the National Autistic Society (NAS) and Special Provision for the Education of Autistic Children (SPEAC).

“I’m really excited to be running for the NAS,” said the actor and singer, whose daughter, Mia, has the condition. “As the parent of a child with autism, I know what a difference the right support can make. I was fortunate enough to be in a position to get Mia the support she needed, but many other families aren’t so lucky.”

Duffy spoke to the BBC about his experiences in raising his daughter as part of the Cause Celeb series, in which stars talk about issues close to their heart.

“It was very difficult and was a strain on our relationship,” he said. “You go into denile… [you say] ’You’re wrong, there’s nothing wrong with my child’.”

Mia is now 9 and has been placed into a mainstream school through Applied Behavioural Analysis, a specialised individualised program in which major goals are broken down into smaller achievable ones.

The London Marathon takes place on April 26. To watch Keith Duffy talk about how he coped when his daughter was diagnosed with autism, click here.

Look To The Stars News: Keith Duffy

Fans Remember Boyzone Star By Giving To Charity

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