Look To The Stars News: Bob Wilson

Champions League Armbands Raise Charity Cash

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0000

John Terry, Cesc Fabregas and Steven Gerrard are just some of the 21 Premier League captains whose signed and framed captain’s armbands are up for auction online from November 12. This unique piece of sporting memorabilia could make the perfect Christmas gift and will raise money for two worthy causes – the Willow Foundation and the Steve Bernard Foundation.

The Willow Foundation was set up by Arsenal legend Bob Wilson and his wife, Megs, and provides special days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds throughout the UK. The Steve Bernard Foundation supports sporting projects in the Bournemouth area, in memory of sports mad Steve who sadly passed away in November 2005.

Unlike other sporting memorabilia, the captains armbands cannot be bought in the shops. They are unique items that have been signed by your sporting heroes and many have been worn, even showing the battle scars of the day. An armband from each of the 21 Premier League club captains are up for grabs, along with a selection of armbands from Championship captains. Each signed armband is framed alongside a striking picture of the captain in action.

The online eBay auction will run for ten days, starting on Thursday November 12, ending Sunday November 22, with proceeds to be split equally between the Willow Foundation and Steve Bernard Foundation. You can view all armbands here.

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. This year alone, the charity’s tenth anniversary year, the charity will provide almost 1,500 special days compared to just 17 special days in its first year.

Since its formation in February 2006 the Steve Bernard Foundation has supported more than 40 projects across 16 sports and 4 continents. These projects range from our work with a disabled football team to outreach projects in Kenya, Uganda and Thailand. In the three years since it began, the foundation has grown into an organisation which provides considerable support to sporting teams, individuals and projects.

Willow Foundation co-founder Bob Wilson said: “These armbands are a real one-off and I’m sure that any football fan would be thrilled to own one. Buying just one armband in this auction will not only be a fantastic purchase of unique sporting memorabilia but will also mean a great deal to the people who will benefit from a special day during a really tough time of their life.”

Director of the Steve Bernard Foundation, Tony Bernard said “We are delighted to be working in conjunction with the Willow Foundation on this fantastic memorabilia auction. It is extremely fitting that these truly unique items will help to enhance the lives of some very special people”

For more information on the Willow Foundation visit www.willowfoundation.org.uk or telephone 01707 259777.

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,

All Saints Get Naked For Charity Auction

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British girl band the All Saints have donated a drawing of themselves naked to a new charity auction.

The drawing – signed by all the members of the group – is one of 200 celebrity drawings and self-portraits about to go up for auction to benefit ex-footballer Bob Wilson's Willow Foundation, a charity set up after the death of Wilson’s daughter from cancer. The organization provides days out for people with serious illnesses.

Joining the All Saints in donating drawings to the auction are Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gordon Ramsay, James Morrison, Bob Geldof, Matt Lucas, Beverley Knight, Martin Johnson, Wendy Richard, Vernon Kay, and many others.

A public exhibition of all the canvases is being held at London’s SW1 Gallery from December 2 to 6. There will be a champagne reception and auction of the top 20 canvases on December 3. The drawings will also be auctioned online at the Willow Foundation website from Wednesday, November 26.

Look To The Stars News: Bob Wilson

Champions League Armbands Raise Charity Cash

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