Look To The Stars News: Jenson Button

Jenson Button Donates Race Suit To Charity Auction

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:30:00 -0000

Some very special young fans joined the celebrations after Jenson Button was announced unbeatable Formula One World Champion after the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix.

Earlier this year Jenson, a long-standing vice-president of the National Blind Children’s Society, donated one of his 2009 season race suits which is being auctioned in aid of NBCS.

Just after winning the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul, Jenson signed one of his Brawn GP race suits and presented it to NBCS Chief Executive Carolyn Fullard at the Silverstone Racing Circuit in Northamptonshire.

The suit is up for auction on the NBCS website and will be sold to the highest bidder in time for Christmas. Anyone who wants to join the race to win the suit should call 01278 764 764 or email jensonsuit@nbcs.org.uk.

Jenson said: “I am delighted to continue my support for the work that the NBCS does to help children with visual impairment and their families. In Formula One, you need the support of a fantastic team to achieve your ambitions. That’s why I’m involved with NBCS. It’s about winners – children who are blind or visually impaired who can be champions every day of their lives.”

Jenson has also introduced a new DVD which showcases the work of NBCS. To order a copy call 01278 764 764, email enquiries@nbcs.org.uk or view it on YouTube (National Blind Children’s Society). The DVD is free and an audio-only version is available.

NBCS chief executive Carolyn Fullard said: "All Jenson’s fans here at the National Blind Children’s Society are absolutely thrilled that he is Formula One World Champion – we were on the edge of our seats cheering him on.

“We are very grateful to him for his continuing support, especially his generous gift in this very exciting year for his career. He’s certainly our champion!

“We depend totally on private funding, donations and sponsorship, and Jenson’s support will help us to continue our desperately needed work with children and young people who are visually impaired.”

Prince Charles Thanks Celebrities For Charity Support

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince Charles thanked a number of high-profile celebrities for their support of his Prince’s Trust this week by holding a special garden party at his Highgrove home near Tetbury, in Gloucestershire.

Along with the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles wined and dined over 100 guests, including Phil Collins – the Trust’s first ambassador – as well as Bryan Adams, Phillip Schofield, Gary Lineker, Sir Ben Kingsley, Jenson Button, Amanda Burton, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jeremy Irons, Joss Stone, Kate Adie, Aleisha Dixon and many others. The celebrity ambassadors were given a tour of the Highgrove estate in the late summer sun before lunching on asparagus and pea risotto followed by summer berries with pannacotta.

“I have been a Prince’s Trust ambassador for going back 20 years and it is has been a real privilege to be able to meet people who have benefited from the scheme and turned their life around,” said Gary Linekar.

The Prince’s Trust gives practical and financial support to help disadvantaged young people aged between 14 and 30 develop workplace skills. The Trust offers support by training, mentoring and giving financial assistance to help disadvantaged young people achieve their potential.

Jenson Button Competes In Triathlon For Charity

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Formula 1 driver Jenson Button got active for charity yesterday, August 2, when he competed in the London Triathlon.

The driver completed the 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run in just over 2 hours to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“I have had the pleasure of meeting lots of kids who are supported by the charity at our tests and races,” said Jenson. “It’s a real privilege to be involved with them. The kids are so inspirational and hopefully we can raise enough money to fulfill as many of their dreams as possible.”

Over 13,000 competitors took part in the event.

GOSH, What Auctions!

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:26:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Great Ormond Street Hospital is set to benefit from many current and recent celebrity charity auctions, including a date with Orlando Bloom, which brought in £9,000 ($14,600) just last week.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star was on hand at the Victoria and Albert museum with Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton, British TV presenter Vernon Kay and Jade Jagger to help raise over £450,000 ($730,000) for the children’s charity.

Hamilton and other F1 stars, such as Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello, Sebastian Vettel, Jarno Trulli and Kimi Raikkonen have all signed unique displays for an auction benefitting the children’s hospital. The auction will run at Starcards.org until June 30th.

And, starting today, tennis fans can also visit Starcards.org to bid on the only WTA Tour No.1 Jersey signed by nine former World Number one’s, including Kim Clijsters, Amelie Mauresmo, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Martina Hingis, Martina Navratilova, Justine Henin, Tracy Austin and Maria Sharapova. Also up for grabs are Serena Williams signed designer Nike shoes, and 30 other items. This auction runs until July 5th.

As if that wasn’t enough, also currently on the auction block is an exclusive signed collector’s image from Empire’s 20th Birthday Portfolio which captures Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. To bid, visit EmpireOnline.com.

The Great Ormond Street Hospitall (GOSH) was the first hospital in the UK dedicated to children, and since its start in 1852, its pioneering work has caught the attention of many well-known people. Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens and author J M Barrie – who donated the copyright to his famous play Peter Pan – were among the first to pledge their support. More recently, Johnny Depp became a supporter of the hospital, after the staff counted his daughter into the more than 100,000 children treated there annually – children who are suffering from the rarest, most complex and often life-threatening conditions.

To learn more about how you can support GOSH, visit gosh.org.

Jenson Button To Compete In Triathlon For Charity

Thu, 28 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Formula One winning driver Jenson Button is asking his fans to support him in this year’s London Triathlon on August 1-2 to raise funds for Make-A-Wish UK.

“I’m in a position where I can try and make the kids dream come true, it does give you big satisfaction seeing the little smiles on their faces,” Button says in a promotional video.

“I was at the event in London a few months back, and seeing a few of the kids’ faces is just amazing,” said the seasoned tri-athlete.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation patron also issued a statement, which in part reads, “I have had the pleasure of meeting lots of kids who are supported by the charity at our tests and races. Make A Wish grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses and it is a real privilege to be involved with them. The kids are so inspirational and hopefully we can raise enough money to fulfill as many of their dreams as possible.”

To find out more on how you can help support Button in his run, read his full message here.

Formula 1 Stars Hit The Catwalk For Charity

Tue, 26 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Prior to the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, Formula One drivers took part in a fashion show at the Amber Fashion event to raise funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

This is the second year in a row that Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula One Management CEO Bernie, has unveiled her F1 inspired men’s wear collection ‘FORM’ using the sports’ driver’s as models. Walking the catwalk for charity were Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Mark Webber, Adrian Sutil, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Sebastian Vettel and F1 veteran David Coulthard.

One of last year’s participants, Mark Webber, commented: “Last year my knees were shaking a bit, but now it’s all routine! Could the catwalk be a career for me? No. So far I’ve never been a fashion junkie, but you never know – never say never!”

Jenson Button also returned to the catwalk for the second year in a row: “Whatever you might think, a modeling career was definitely never my ’plan B,” said this years Monaco Grand Prix winner. “I do this here because it is a fun event and it is for a good cause. Hopefully the guests will put their hands in their pockets and get some money out this evening. For us drivers it’s a nice break to do something different.”

The event included a charity auction presented by David Furnish, partner of Sir Elton John, and featured unique ‘money can’t buy’ items such as a ‘Mandarin Oriental Dellis Cay Luxury Experience,’ a unique print of soccer star Thierry Henry, an original hand-signed etching by Henri Matisse, and the ultimate item – dinner for ten with Sir Elton John at his house in Nice.

Guests in attendance included HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, Bernie Ecclestone, Sir Martin Sorrell, Sir Richard Branson, iconic sprinter Michael Johnson, Elizabeth Hurley and her husband Arun Nayar and many others.

Elton's AIDS Bash Attracts Stars

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sir Elton John threw a star-studded gala to raise money for his AIDS Foundations earlier this week – although the Rocket Man himself was unable to attend.

Sir Elton’s partner David Furnish had to take over the hosting duties at the Grey Goose Character and Cocktails party in London on Wednesday night, with proceeds going to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

A host of celebs turned up for the glitzy bash, including Little Britain’s David Walliams, model Eva Herzigova, singer Lily Allen, Giles Deacon and Jenson Button.

“I’m having a great night,” said Furnish. “I can’t thank everyone enough for being so generous. After 15 years, I still get nervous before hosting an event like this but then I think of why we’re doing it in the first place and tell myself to get on with it.”

The evening – which included an auction – raised over £350,000 (US$567,000) for the charity.

Children's Hospital Benefits From Formula One Party

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It was a case of life in the fast lane for a host of celebrities earlier this week when they turned up at the annual British Grand Prix Party in aid of the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Hosted by Vernon Kay and Tess Daly, the event raised over £700,000 (US$1.4 million) to build the hospital’s new Heart and Lung Center. Held at London’s famous Bloomsbury Ballroom at Victoria House, the event attracted a host of stars, including producer and hip-hop star Pharrell Williams, Simon Webb, Jamelia, and Formula One’s Jenson Button and Damon Hill.

“I stand fully behind the F1 efforts to make a better life for GOSH’s young patients,” said Button, who was one of the first to arrive on the red carpet – perhaps because of his fast driving skills.

Mark Webber was another driver in attendance to show his support.

“An Australian friend’s little boy was treated at GOSH,” he said. “Unfortunately he did not make it, but in his time at the hospital he was cared for so well that giving my support is a matter of the heart.”

Dinner was followed by an auction, which included the chance to bid on items such as an opportunity to complete two laps in Santander’s two-seater Grand Prix car, driven by ‘The Stig’ from BBC television’s Top Gear on race day of the British Grand Prix, a meet-and-greet with Barry Manilow, and the Steinmetz diamond-encrusted steering wheel used by Kimi Raikkonen.

The evening ended with dancing to the grooves of Basement Jaxx.

Great Ormond Street Hospital in London treats more than 100,000 ill children each year, and specializes in the most complex, life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. It relies on public donations to boost the Government funding it receives.

Life In The Fast Lane Gets Even Faster For Kimi Raikkonen

Tue, 27 May 2008 11:25:26 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Ferrari’s Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen may be used to life in the fast lane, but things are going to get a whole lot faster thanks to a charity auction held late last week.

The driver paid $315,000 for a 1974 Chevrolet Corvette owned by Hollywood actress Sharon Stone at the Amber Fashion Show and Auction in aid of the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Friday night in Monaco.

The gala, held at the Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel, raised over $1.6 million for the charity, and was attended by a “who’s who” of the motor racing world. McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, Honda’s Jenson Button, Red Bull’s Mark Webber, and Renault’s Nelson Piquet were among drivers modelling a collection designed by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s daughter, and many of them looked like they will have a career in high fashion modelling after their racing days are over.

But it was the auction that raised most people’s eyebrows, with a number of high value items going under the hammer. As well as Stone’s Corvette – which only had 4 miles on the clock – billionaire Vijay Mallya, co-owner of the Force India Formula One team, paid $357,000 for a piano used by Elton John to write his “Songs from the West Coast” album in 2001. Mallya also donated a one-week cruise on his 95-metre “Indian Empress”, one of the largest privately-owned yachts in the world, with that going out the door for $592,000.

Look To The Stars News: Jenson Button

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