Look To The Stars News: Michael Parkinson

Help Stop The Tiger Trade In China

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

The Environmental Investigation Agency and a number of stars are endorsing a new petition calling on Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on tiger trade.

The petition has been organised by TigerTime, an initiative of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation which has garnered mass public and celebrity support to raise awareness of the plight of the world’s last remaining wild tigers and campaign to reverse its decline.

The petition urges: “I appeal to Premier Wen Jiabao to send a clear message to his government, calling for an end to all tiger trade within China. This is to include a call for a zero tolerance policy applied to all trade of all parts and derivatives of tiger and other protected Asian big cats, from all sources.”

Stars Join Virtual March Against Bullying

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

To mark the start of Anti-Bullying Week 2012, UK charity BeatBullying is mobilising hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world, together with celebrities, politicians, charities, businesses and communities to launch The Big March 2012, the world’s first global virtual march for children’s rights.

Beatbullying is calling for people around the world to support The Big March 2012, which will take place on 1st March 2012: from Manchester to Mumbai, from Naples to New Orleans, from Jerusalem to Johannesburg, and from Budapest to Brasilia.

Predicted to last up to two days, the march will culminate with the delivery of a petition to the United Nations Building in New York; asking the United Nations to explicitly enshrine ‘bullying’ in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This will help to protect children all over the world from the pain and distress of bullying and harassment. If successful, it will be the first time that the Convention has been updated in over 10 years.

Samantha Fox To Shock Politicians Into Action Over Tiger Conservation

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

International singer, impassioned tiger conservationist, humanitarian and former model, Sam Fox, aims to shock MPs and politicians into action to save the tiger in the wild at an event outside the House of Commons at 1pm on Wednesday 26th October.

With only an estimated 3,200 wild tigers left on earth, Sam has joined TigerTime, the global campaign to save the tiger.

Paul McCartney Joins Celebrity Supporters Of Tiger Charity

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Paul McCartney is the latest celebrity to support TigerTime, a charity that aims to save the last 3,200 wild tigers on earth.

The Beatles legend joins a list of celebrity supporters that includes Joanna Lumley, Ricky Gervais, Roger Moore, Michael Parkinson, Melanie C, Anjelica Huston, Susan Sarandon, Gemma Atkinson, Vicki Roberts, Simon King, Naomie Harris, Neil Gaiman, Claire King, Abi Titmuss, Elizabeth Emanuel and Paula Abdul.

TigerTime was established by the renowned British wildlife artist and conservationist David Shepherd CBE on his 80th birthday in May of this year.

Joanna Lumley Joins Celebrity Friends To Save Tigers

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:00:00 +0000

British actress Joanna Lumley has added her support to TigerTime, the new global charity campaign to save the last 3,200 wild tigers on earth.

Joanna joins an amazing list of celebrities from all across the world of entertainment in both the UK and USA including Ricky Gervais, Roger Moore, Michael Parkinson, Melanie C, Anjelica Huston, Susan Sarandon, Gemma Atkinson, Vicki Roberts, Simon King, Naomie Harris, Neil Gaiman, Claire King, Abi Titmuss, Elizabeth Emanuel and Paula Abdul.

“Animals share the earth with us: that is to say, they are equal partners in the right to live on this planet,” says Joanna. “In our anxiety to make the world a better place for ourselves, let us be very careful that we don’t obliterate the needs of other species. If the tiger disappears from the wild because of our behaviour we humans shall have lost all claims to be called civilised and compassionate. The greatest enemy is indifference. Please join TigerTime right now to help to save the lives and habitat of these magnificent creatures. This is extremely urgent. The clock is ticking: real time is running out.”

Andy Murray Signs Art For Troops

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Britian’s top tennis player Andy Murray has signed a rare piece of art and donated it to the next Tickets For Troops fundraising auction.

The brilliant set of drawings by top artist John Trevillion captured the various moods and actions of Murray, who was so impressed he posted them on his Facebook page. “They’re really, really good,” said the Wimbledon contender and world’s number four.

Jeffrey Archer Announces Celebrity Charity Auction

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Author Jeffrey Archer has organized a special celebrity charity auction at Christie’s in London on June 27.

“Around fifteen items have been donated by friends, and all the proceeds will go to the charities of their choice,” says Lord Archer in his official blog. "I have also donated the chief time-keeper’s stopwatch from the race on 6 May 1954 in Oxford, at which Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four minute mile (3mins 59.4 secs); the proceeds from which will go to the Oxford University Athletics Club.

“Those who have already given something include Margaret Thatcher, Michael Parkinson, Terry O’Neil, Lawrence Dallaglio and Laurence Graff. More details will be released over the coming weeks… so if anyone has anything quite exceptional they wish to add to the list, then let me know! The following day, Tuesday 28th, Christie’s will be conducting a sale of a part of my personal art collection at their Kensington salesroom.”

Tom Jones To Be Honored In Aid Of Charity

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Sir Tom Jones – legend, national treasure, international superstar – is to be honoured with the prestigious Music Industry Trusts’ Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music.

Sir Tom, knighted by the Queen in 2006 and celebrating his 70th Birthday this year, has notched up a stellar career over five decades and continues to scale the very highest peaks of the music business, both in the UK and around the world. The Award will be presented to Tom Jones on 1 November at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Over 1000 guests attend this celebrated charity award event in aid of Nordoff Robbins and the BRIT Trust.

David Munns, Chairman of the Award committee said: “Tom Jones is one of those rare beings, a timeless entertainer, a great guy, who clearly loves what he does, and whose talent appeals to successive generations. Tom is Mr Cool, one of the world’s greatest singers and performers and we are extremely proud and honoured that he is the 2010 recipient of the Music Industry Trusts’ Award.”

Sport Relief Brings In The Charity Cash

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Britain has just hosted a weekend of sport and entertainment to benefit Sport Relief’s work helping vulnerable people – and a whole bunch of celebrities were involved.

The weekend kicked off with the Sport Relief TV Extravaganza on BBC One and Two on Friday night, hosted by Richard Hammond, Davina McCall and others. The show raised an unbelievable £31.6 million for charity, and featured appearances by Annie Lennox, Robbie Williams, Emma Bunton, Cheryl Cole, Andy Murray, Kylie Minogue and many others. David Beckham even got warm and cosy in the bath with comedian James Corden in a special comedy sketch filmed especially for the event.

Michael Parkinson also took part in an episode of Ashes to Ashes, and there were special charity episodes of TV shows such as Masterchef.

British Stars Contribute To Alzheimer's Wall Of Memories

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:30:00 +0000

The British prime minister has joined some of the UK’s favorite famous faces in contributing to a special memory wall for the Alzheimer’s Research UK.

The wall features special memories from members of the public to draw attention to the condition and the charity, which aims to find treatments for Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Prime minister Gordon Brown has contributed his memories of watching Scotland play Brazil in the 1982 World Cup, while Discworld author Sir Terry Pratchett – who suffers from Alzheimer’s – wrote: “The day my daughter was born. The elation – nothing could’ve gone wrong that night. I’d hate to lose that memory.”

JK Rowling And Stephenie Meyer Sign Books For Charity

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Signed books by JK Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Jenson Button, Richard Branson, Ricky Gervais, Michael Parkinson and many more are going under the hammer for charity thanks to the work of a man from Bristol, UK.

Grant Thompson has been collecting the autographed books from celebrities for the last two years, and is now selling them for a local MS charity.

“JK Rowling was my first book which [then] got me started from there,” Thompson told the BBC. “Originally I was trying to keep everything Bristol-based and I knew JK Rowling lived outside Bristol. Also her mum had MS as well, so it started with that really.”

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.

Michael Parkinson Opposes Almshouse Eviction

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Veteran British broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson has slammed plans to evict residents from historic almshouses in a Berkshire village.

Jesus Hospital in Bray has housed the “the poor and aged” since 1627, with residents paying rent but occupying the properties under license. However, a new plan will see the properties – run by the Fishmongers’ Company – sold to developers.

“Not only has the Fishmongers’ Company grossly betrayed the wishes of [founder of the Almshouses] Sir William Goddard, but they have betrayed the residents of Jesus Hospital and the village itself, of which the almshouses are an important part of its fabric and heritage,” said Sir Michael.

Stars Sign Mini For British Forces Morale

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:30:00 +0000

A car signed by some of Britain’s favorite stars will go up for auction at Bonhams Auction House tonight, July 3, to raise money for the British Forces Foundation’s Lap of Honour charity, which aims to boost morale in Britiain’s Armed Forces.

For the last year, the Mini cooper – adorned with a Union Jack on the roof – has been traveling around Britain, gathering autographs from well-known faces such as Michael Caine, Richard Branson, Sienna Miller, Simon Cowell, Terry Wogan, Joan Collins, Roger Moore, Michael Parkinson, Cliff Richard, Ranulph Fiennes, Tom Jones, Hugh Grant, Judi Dench, James Blunt, Katherine Jenkins, Jackie Stewart, Rod Stewart, Lewis Hamilton, Kate Moss, Joe Calzaghe, Elton John, David Beckham, Magaret Thatcher, Eric Clapton, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, Joanna Lumley, Helen Mirren, Gordon Brown, Paul McCartney and many more.

“This fantastic car has been on an amazing journey during our tenth anniversary year,” said Mark Cann, director of the BFF. “It will be a unique addition to any car collection and we’re delighted that Bonhams offered so generously to help us achieve the best bid and raise as much money as we can. The very act of demonstrating support will send a clear message of solidarity to those on the frontline, which will in itself be a significant boost to their morale.”

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

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

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.

British Stars Get Really Naked For Charity Calendar

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

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.