Look To The Stars News: Girls Aloud

British Stars Get Behind Anti-Bullying Campaign

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Tons of singers, including Leona Lewis and Kanye West’s protégé, Mr. Hudson, have teamed up to film an anti-bullying campaign video for BBC’s music station Radio 1.

Celebrities have recorded motivational video messages to help U.K. teens that suffer under the hands of bullies.

Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole encourages teens to be comfortable with themselves. She said, “There’s nothing more beautiful than somebody that is comfortable and confident in themselves. Surround yourselves by the people who absolutely adore you and love you for who you are.”

Hudson also gives advice, saying, “If you’re in a situation where you don’t feel comfortable, make you sure take long deep breaths and say what you need to say. You will sound more confident and feel more confident.”

Australian pop star Peter André, British boy band JLS and X Factor winner Alexandra Burke are also supporting the awareness drive.

Take That And Friends To Rock Children In Need Tonight

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Thousands of charity-minded people are expected to pack the Royal Albert Hall in London tonight, November 12, for a huge star-studded concert organized by Gary Barlow and Take That.

Every year, BBC Children in Need creates magic moments that raise huge amounts of money for disadvantaged children, and this year the UK’s finest musicians hope to help raise more than ever with a spectacular show at the Royal Albert Hall.

The star-studded bill includes; Lily Allen, Paul McCartney, Dizzee Rascal, Dame Shirley Bassey, Leona Lewis, Snow Patrol, Cheryl Cole from Girls Aloud, Katherine Jenkins and Muse. And of course Gary will also perform on the night with his Take That partners, Jason Orange, Howard Donald and Mark Owen, as they again show their unwavering support of the charity – there’s even rumors of a possible reunion with Robbie Williams.

“It’s fantastic to be able to kick off BBC Children in Need 2009 in such a special way,” said Gary Barlow, “I’ve always wanted to do something like this and I can promise a night to remember, a night that will, I hope, play a small part in changing the lives of disadvantaged children across the UK.”

Radio 1’s Chris Moyles will host the event and will be joined on stage by Peter Kay, Fearne Cotton, James Corden and the legend that is Sir Terry Wogan, who will help introduce the stars and remind us of the work that BBC Children in Need carries out in the UK.

The show will be broadcast on BBC One in the weekend before the main BBC Children in Need Appeal on November 20 and coverage of the concert will be repeated on BBC Three, Wednesday 18 November at 9.00pm with highlights, presented by Kate Thornton, on Radio 2, Thursday 19 November at 8.00pm.

Viewers and listeners to the show will be invited to donate to help raise even more money.

British Stars Donate Dresses Fit For A Princess

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

In collaboration with the Princess Alice Hospice charity in the UK, The Bentall Centre in Kingston is hosting a star-studded fashion exhibition from 26th September 2009 until 19th October showcasing celebrity party attire in store windows, which will then be online at www.ebya.co.uk/charity from 19th October, to raise money for the Hospice.

Over forty personalities and luminaries, including; Dame Helen Mirren, Lynda Bellingham, Samantha Cameron, Beth Ditto, Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh, Helena Bonham Carter, Geri Halliwell, Paloma Faith, Joanna Lumley, Trinny Woodhall, Fearne Cotton, Twiggy and The Saturdays have all kindly donated dresses to the Fit For a Princess event.

Unique pieces include an Alberta Ferretti sequin skirt and top which was worn at The Planet of the Apes premiere by Helena Bonham Carter, Paloma Faith’s gorgeous green silk and lace prom dress, which she wore in her latest ‘New York’ music video and a Herve Leger gown from Beverley Knight. There is a wonderful two piece worn by Joanna Lumley at a James Bond gala, which in her letter given with the dress boasts that they have been ‘shaken and stirred’ by two 007 agents – Daniel Craig and Roger Moore!

Most of the attire donated comes with provenance from the celebrity patrons i.e. signed pictures and letters, which potential new owners will gain.

Garments from these celebrities amongst other musicians, actresses and fashionistas will be displayed exclusively in The Bentall Centre for one month. Visitors to the Centre will then be able to bid for their favourite idol’s outfit through an auction on eBAY, with all proceeds coming to Princess Alice Hospice.

The auction goes live on October 19 and runs until October 29. To be sure of getting your hands on a celebrity treasure visit www.ebay.co.uk/charity and type in Fit for a Princess as your search term.

Darran Hutchings, Communication Officer at Princess Alice Hospice, said, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with The Bentall Centre on such a large and high profile project. Not only are they dedicated to supporting local charities, they are also able to deliver highly professional and rewarding events. Together we will be able to raise money for, and raise the profile of this vital local charity”.

Princess Alice Hospice is a registered charity based in Esher, Surrey. It provides specialist end of life and palliative care for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families both at the Hospice and in their homes. The Hospice catchment area includes Surrey, South West London and Middlesex serving a population in excess of 1 million. Over £7 million is needed each year to provide these vital and much needed services, with limited NHS funding over 75% of funding must be raised through voluntary donations and fundraising.

More info about the Princess Alice Hospice can be found at www.pah.org.uk.

Girls Aloud Singer Puts On Her High Heels For Charity

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh stepped into her high heels for a fundraising event for a British breast cancer charity during the weekend.

As reported earlier this month by Look To The Stars, Walsh was named as an ambassador for Breast Cancer Haven, an organization that runs three facilities in Britain – in London, Hereford and Leeds – offering free support, counseling, information and complementary therapies to anyone affected by breast cancer. As part of her duties as ambassador, the singer led the Leeds center’s High-Heel-A-Thon on September 27, an event that saw women and men put on their high heel shoes and complete a 1.2 mile course to raise cash and awareness.

“I am absolutely delighted that the High Heel-a-thon is my first duty as Breast Cancer Haven ambassador,” Walsh said. “I think this is a fantastic event and, as I’m a local girl, I’m so excited to be part of such major activity for the city.”

The charity hoped to raise at least £10,000 from the event, which attracted around 300 participants.

Girls Aloud Singer Supports Breast Cancer Charity

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh has been named ambassador for a British breast cancer charity.

The singer helped open the new Breast Cancer Haven center in Leeds last year, and has now been named their ambassador in the lead up to the center’s first Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

“I’m proud to help raise the profile of Breast Cancer Haven,” she said. “I saw how they helped my dear friend and dance teacher Deana Morgan when she had breast cancer and want other people with breast cancer to know they can turn to the Haven for free help and support.”

Founded in 1997, Breast Cancer Haven consists of three facilities in Britain – in London, Hereford and Leeds – offering free support, counseling, information and complementary therapies to anyone affected by breast cancer.

The singer will also lead the Leeds center’s High-Heel-A-Thon on September 27, an event that will see women and men put on their high heel shoes and complete a 1.2 mile course. The High Heel-a-thon starts at Breast Cancer Haven at 2pm and costs £20 per participant. To book a place, go to www.highheelathon.co.uk.

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.

The Big Bid Raises Cash For Charities

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Big Bid – one of the biggest celebrity charity auctions to be held in 2009 – is on right now.

For the entire month of May, items from stars such as Bono, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Ricky Gervais, Cliff Richard, Girls Aloud, Eric Clapton, McFly, Pierce Brosnan, Michael Schumacher, Lulu and many more.

The Big Bid kicked off on May 4 with an event that benefited the Mildmay HIV+AIDS Charity based in East London, in which someone paid £4,200 for the chance to meet Sir Cliff Richard. Other charities that will benefit from the auction include Help for Heroes, Amazing Daisy, CLIC Sargent and more.

To find out more about the auction and start bidding, visit the official Big Bid website.

Red Nose Day TV Special To Tickle BBC Funny Bones

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Today, March 13, is Red Nose Day in Britain – the major fundraising event of the year for Comic Relief. And to celebrate, celebrities young and old will appear in a TV extravaganza being screened tonight on BBC One and Two.

Presented by David Tennant, Davina McCall, Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross and others, Funny For Money will feature the last ever French & Saunders film parody – a version of Mamma Mia! performed by Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders – plus comedy items performed by Robbie Williams, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Ricky Gervais, Harry Enfield, Peter Crouch, David Beckham, Sadie Frost, and Kate Moss. There will also be an appearance from Annie Lennox.

As part of the show, Comic Relief will also present a special version of Top Of The Pops that will feature performances by U2, James Morrison and Oasis, as well as Tom Jones and Rob Brydon singing the official Comic Relief single, (Barry) Islands In The Stream.

The show will also a special appearance by the celebrity climbers who scaled Mount Kilimanjaro last week. The group – including Take That’s Gary Barlow, Ronan Keating, Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh, Cheryl Cole, singer Alesha Dixon, television presenters Fearne Cotton and Ben Shephard, West-End star Denise Van Outen and radio DJ Chris Moyles – reached the summit of the 19,300ft (5,900m) peak as dawn broke on Saturday, March 7. They featured in their own BBC One documentary last night, and also met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has pledged £2 million to the charity.

“It has been a privilege for the whole team to meet the Prime Minister … and under such special circumstances,” said Barlow. “To think that our efforts on the mountain and the incredible generosity of the public have inspired school children and have now been supported by the Government is unbelievable. If the money raised can help control malaria and also help poor and vulnerable people in the UK, it will all have been worthwhile. What an unforgettable day.”

The Funny For Money TV special runs from 7pm to 1:30am. Viewers will have the chance to pledge money to go towards helping people in the UK overcome poverty, mental health issues, domestic violence and other issues, and people in Africa affected by AIDS, malaria, conflict and more.

Celebrity Climbers Summit Mount Kilimanjaro

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The group of celebrities attempting to climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro have reached their target.

The group – which includes Gary Barlow, Ronan Keating, Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh, Cheryl Cole, singer Alesha Dixon, television presenters Fearne Cotton and Ben Shephard, West-End star Denise Van Outen and radio DJ Chris Moyles – reached the summit of the 19,300ft (5,900m) peak as dawn broke on Saturday, March 7.

The group climbed the mountain to raise awareness and money for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day, which will take place on March 15.

Several members of the team suffered from altitude sickness during the ascent, with Barlow being hampered by a back injury he suffered during training for the climb. According to Comic Relief, they endured sleepless nights and aches and pains due to the lack of oxygen.

“Cheryl for one has already said she’s never done anything so mentally and physically demanding and I doubt anyone in the team will disagree,” reported the official blog of the climb. “A temperature of minus 15 and air so thin your lungs positively burn with disappointment every time you take a breath means you can’t stop long.”

The climbers raised over £1.4 million for Comic Relief, and the climb will feature in a documentary to be shown on Red Nose Day.

Support The Stars As They Climb Kilimanjaro

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

As reported earlier by Look To The Stars, a group of celebrities have just set off to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa for charity, and they need your support.

Ronan Keating, Gary Barlow, Cheryl Cole, Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh, singer Alesha Dixon, television presenters Fearne Cotton and Ben Shephard, West-End star Denise Van Outen and radio DJ Chris Moyles are currently taking part in the climb up Africa’s highest peak to raise money for Comic Relief.

“I went to Africa for Comic Relief 18 months ago and the images from that trip have stayed with me and made me want to do something big to make a difference and raise money,” said Take That’s Gary Barlow. “The other people on the climb feel similarly, so it made sense to ask them to join me. I have chosen the people I want to be stuck on the side of a mountain with, even if we are the least likely you would expect to find there.”

The nine famous climbers have already garnered the support of celebrities, and now they need your help. To sponsor the team and raise awareness and funds for those in need, head over to the official Mount Kilimanjaro Climb website.

Here’s what your sponsorship will help:

£1 could pay for a personal safety alarm to help protect a woman against being raped or attacked. For women who have been through this trauma, an alarm can help to restore their confidence when out on the streets.

£2 is all it takes to provide 20 lonely older people with a cup of tea when they get together at a special project that helps them feel far less alone.

£5 could buy a toy for a child who has nothing after fleeing their home with their mum because of domestic violence.

£10 could pay for emergency food vouchers and toiletries for a vulnerable young homeless person.

£30 could pay to take a young carer on an outward bounds activity day, giving them a much-needed break from their caring duties and allowing them to simply be children having fun together for a day.

£50 could pay for the delivery of a school workshop that teaches young people how to use the internet safely and protect themselves from sexual exploitation or abuse.

So get behind the team and support them today.

British Stars Voice Talking Clock For Charity

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A group of British celebrities have donated their voices to charity in a unique way. Callers to British Telecom’s talking clock this month will have the time read to them by members of Girls Aloud and Take That.

Among the stars to take part in the campaign to raise money for Comic Relief are Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh, Gary Barlow, Chris Moyles and Fearne Cotton.

BT will donate 10p from every speaking clock call made from a BT fixed line in the UK up to March 23. British callers should dial 123 for the service.

Some of the stars are also taking part in a charity challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro later this month.

Along with Ronan Keating, they will take part in an eight-day trek in Tanzania to raise money for Comic Relief, which will be filmed and aired in the run up to Red Nose Day on 13 March.

The celebrities leave at the end of February.

Girls Aloud Go To The Dogs With Nintendo

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British girl band Girls Aloud helped launch a scheme to promote the welfare of dogs by teaching children how to look after them this week.

The group are supporting an initiative established by the Dogs Trust – the UK’s largest dog charity – in which Nintendo will donate Nintendo DS consoles and copies of the Nintendogs game as part of an educational program designed to reduce the number of abandoned dogs in the UK.

“We are all dog lovers ourselves so are fully supportive of this scheme which teaches kids what looking after a dog really involves,” said the group – who appear in an advert for Nintendogs – in a statement. “We all love our Nintendo DS’s… there’s always something to keep us laughing and entertained – the different DS colors mean we never get them mixed up too!”

The Dogs Trust believes that the Nintendogs program will encourage young dog lovers to seriously think about the needs of a real animal before they pester their parents for one.

More info about Dogs Trust can be found at their website.

Children In Need Concert Makes History

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British broadcasters Terry Wogan, Tess Daly, and Fearne Cotton hosted the annual BBC Children in Need charity concert on Friday, November 14.

The epic seven hour show featured performances from the Sugababes, Boyzone, Leon Jackson, McFly, the Stereophonics, John Barrowman, Il Divo, Jason Donovan Russell Watson, Alesha Dixon, Razorlight, Sharleen Spiteri and many others. Girls Aloud also made a special appearance, and there were surprise contributions from Ozzy Osbourne, Jack Black, Will Young, Richard Hammond, and Stevie Wonder. Take That donated £250,000 from their ticket sales and a recent Marks and Spencer modeling deal.

But perhaps the funniest highlights of the night came from a performance of Abba hits from six BBC newsreaders. The cast of Eastenders also took to the stage for a song and dance.

A total of £20,991,216 had been raised at the end of the broadcast making it likely that donations could be higher than last year’s total of £37 million.

“I am completely overwhelmed by the way the country has come together in support of BBC Children in Need, demonstrating such generosity in these tough times, and I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved,” said David Ramsden, BBC Children in Need chief executive. “We can now focus our attention on finding more great projects that can change young lives for the better.”

British Stars To Climb Kilimanjaro For Comic Relief

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Ronan Keating, Gary Barlow and Cheryl Cole are to join a host of other British celebrities to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief next year.

According to reports in Britain’s The Sun newspaper, the stars will join Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh, singer Alesha Dixon, television presenters Fearne Cotton and Ben Shephard, West-End star Denise Van Outen and radio DJ Chris Moyles for the climb up Africa’s highest peak.

4,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro every year, although only 1,400 actually reach the top of the 5,895 meter peak. Around 100 climbers die of altitude sickness on the mountain every year, so it will be no walk in the park for the stars.

“Since visiting Africa with Comic Relief a year ago, I haven’t been able to forget how easy it is for someone in my position to help change the lives of poor and vulnerable people by raising money,” said Kimberly Walsh. “When Gary approached me and Cheryl about doing the climb, I didn’t think twice.”

Fashion For Relief A Huge Success

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Supermodel Naomi Campbell took to the runway on Wednesday for her 2008 Fashion For Relief charity catwalk show benefiting the White Ribbon Alliance.

Celebrity models who graced the catwalk included Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole, model Erin O’Connor, artist Tracey Emin, rock daughters Kimberley Stewart and Lizzie Jagger, the Sugababes, Cilla Black, and Olympic gold medalists Rebecca Adlington and Sarah Ayton.

The show – which took place at London’s Natural History Museum – was opened by the wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Sarah, and was watched by a star-studded audience that included Mischa Barton.

“This is what the fashion world is doing to give back,” said Campbell. “I won’t ask people to do anything unless I think it’s really important. I only ask when I think it’s something they will be passionate about. All these people here tonight feel the same way.”

The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood is an international coalition of individuals and organizations formed to promote increased public awareness of the need to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women and newborns.

“I do lot of work with Save the Children, and today I was doing press with them and they told me this charity is affiliated with theirs,” said Barton. “I learned up on it, and Naomi is doing a good thing with it. She has always been very friendly and caring to me. She’s really sweet.”

Girls Aloud Join Anti-Knives Campaign

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British girl group Girls Aloud are adding their vocals to a new single to support an anti-knives campaign.

The project – which also features members of the British football and rugby squads – aims to raise money for a number of knife crime charities, and was initiated by British actor Stephen Nicholas, who wanted to raise awareness about knife crime and its consequences after a number of young people were stabbed to death across the country.

“We just want to raise awareness,” he said. “We haven’t got any ulterior motive, our only motive is to stop kids dying. We all live in different parts of the country and kids are dying in all of those areas, not just in London. Every single community around the country is having the same problems with knife crime.”

The collaboration – called U.K. Flow – also features Casualty actors Luke Bailey and Elyes Gabel, former Hollyoaks star Lee Otway, DJ and presenter Marvyn Williams, and singer Steve Edwards. The group is expected to perform the song at the Love Music Hate Racism concert in Rotherham next month.

Stars Beat Bullying With New Auction

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A hot new charity auction has been launched on eBay, featuring items from Nicole Kidman, Avril Lavigne, and Girls Aloud.

The stars have joined with the UK’s leading bullying prevention charity – BeatBullying – for its annual celebrity auction, with all cash raised going towards its peer mentoring work in schools throughout Britain.

Bidders have the chance to pick up items such as a Golden Compass movie poster signed by Kidman and Daniel Craig; the outfits Girls Aloud wore when performing their number one hit Sexy No! No! No! live on BBC1; sheet music, photos, a t-shirt, and a CD signed by Avril Lavigne; a vest worn by Cheryl Cole; a DVD signed by Jimmy Carr; a photo signed by Simon Cowell; a program signed by Judi Dench; and a chance to meet the Sugababes and 2 tickets to see them in concert in Dagenham on August 9.

Beatbullying believes that the introduction of progressive bullying prevention programs in the UK will reduce bullying, reduce truancy levels, and reduce racist and homophobic violence and abuse in schools. The auction runs until July 20, and can be accessed via eBay.

A Cup Of Tea With Girls Aloud

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Ever fancy a nice cup of tea with Girls Aloud? If so, pull up a chair, get out your best china, and relax as the singers front a new charity campaign to raise money for cancer support.

Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Blooming Great Tea Party is a new initiative designed to encourage people to hold their own tea parties and donate the money raised towards the cost of supporting cancer nurses. The organization – one of the largest charities in Britain – has been caring for the terminally ill for 60 years, and employs over 2,700 nurses and other healthcare professionals to care for patients who want to return to their own homes to die. They also run 10 hospices throughout Britain, and fund the Marie Curie Cancer Research Institute.

Girls Aloud became involved with the charity after Marie Curie nurses helped the grandfather of Nicola Roberts, one of the band members, in his final days.

“Every pound raised will help Marie Curie nurses look after someone with a terminal illness,” said the star.

Anybody wishing to know more about the campaign can visit the Blooming Great Tea Party website.

Girls Aloud Show Their Humanitarian Side

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A special auction on eBay last week helped raise more than $18,000 for children’s charity War Child.

A host of celebrities, including Girls Aloud and Keane, donated items for a special celebrity auction for the charity, which raises money to support children acutely affected by conflict in some of the world’s most dangerous war zones.

A number of items at the auction gained special attention, including a pair of signed Spin paintings by Damien Hirst that sold for around $8,000 each. A pair of shoes donated by Keane vocalist Tom Chaplin sold for $900, and a painting by Girls Aloud went out for $160.

Girls Aloud, a British girl group formed in 2002, also showed their humanitarian side last week when they met a little girl backstage whose father had recently died.

Macie Nunn, five, wrote to the group to tell them about the difficult year her family has had since her dad Mark, 37, collapsed and died of an undetected heart condition at work last May.

“We were going to the concert anyway but I thought it would be extra nice if Macie could meet the girls,” said Macie’s mother, Jude. “We were amazed when we got a call on Sunday at 7am from one of the girl’s assistants saying that she’d like to organize a meet and greet for us before the concert.”

Macie was extremely excited about the band’s invitation, and it will be an experience she will remember for a long time.

“Kimberley [one of the singers] hugged, cuddled, and kissed Macie the way I do,” said Jude. “She was so nice and all of the girls were so moved by her bravery. Macie had lipstick on her cheek and she didn’t want to wash it off. It was so nice that the girls took time out to meet their fans, and Macie was over-the-moon. We’ve both been hyper ever since.”

Celebrities Clean Out Their Closets For Charity

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:09:39 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Is your closet looking a little empty? Or maybe a little boring? Have the moths eaten holes in your favorite frock? Well, never fear, help is here – in the form of a couple of celebrity auctions for great causes.

March will see the opening of Katherine Heigl’s new film 27 Dresses, and to mark the occasion, 20th Century Fox is auctioning 27 celebrity dresses on eBay. Fabulous frocks from Heidi Klum, Thandie Newton, Mariah Carey, Geri Halliwell, Naomi Campbell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Alesha Dixon will be up for sale in the special event, with all proceeds going to the Lavender Trust, an initiative of the UK charity Breast Cancer Care to raise money for young breast cancer sufferers.

The auction also features a stunning white John Galliano dress worn by Kylie Minogue to Cannes 2007, and a full length silver halter top belonging to her sister, Danni Minogue. The auction starts on eBay at 7pm on March 4, and a different dress will be auctioned every day.

If accessories are more your thing, then an exciting auction being held in Britain may be of interest. The Grace House North East Children’s Appeal Celebrity Bag Auction features a range of bags donated by some of England’s top stars, including members of Girls Aloud, as well as Dame Judi Dench, Twiggy, Sarah Ferguson, celebrity chef Ainsley Hariott, and newsreader Kirsty Young.

The event, to be held at the Apartment Bar in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on March 6, is sponsored by Makoosh, an online jewelry store, and will raise money to build the region’s first hospice for terminally ill children. The auction follows a similar event held last year, which raised $19,500, and featured items donated by Annie Lennox and Graham Norton.

“It is fabulous to see so many household names come out in force to support Grace House by donating their favourite handbags and manbags to be auctioned,” said Grace House Fundraising Assistant Sumera Bashir. “I would like to thank them all for making this event possible.”

More information about the auction can be found at www.gracehouse.co.uk.

UK Comic Relief Raises £40.2m

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 14:52:42 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

An eight-hour TV comedy marathon featuring cameos by Tony Blair and Kate Moss has brought this year’s Comic Relief appeal to a close, and the total funds raised to over £40m (78m USD).

Mr Blair played himself in a sketch set at Number 10 opposite comic Catherine Tate’s schoolgirl character Lauren, resorting to her catchphrase “Am I bovvered?”

The “Red Nose Day” TV gala featured other big names not normally known as comedians, including Daniel Craig, Elle Macpherson and Sting, while established comedy stars such as Ricky Gervais and Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen provided laughs aplenty.

The comedy was interspersed with music from the likes of The Killers, Sugababes and Girls Aloud, and with regular appeals for viewers to make pledges by Billy Connolly and others.

Although the appeal began on January 31, the majority of donations were made on Friday, with the final figure of £40,236,142 announced at the end of the TV show.

This year’s event marked the 11th anniversary of Red Nose Day and the 21st anniversary of Comic Relief in the UK. To date, £425m (825 USD) has been raised.

Sugababes and Girls Aloud Release Charity Single

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 09:17:13 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Chart-topping girl bands Sugababes and Girls Aloud are teaming up to release a charity single in support of Comic Relief in the UK. The single, a cover of Aerosmith’s Walk This Way, will raise money for projects in the UK and Africa. The girls donated their time, and all profits are going to the charity.

Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh says: “It’s a fantastic song and hopefully will raise tons of money for people living in really difficult situations here and in Africa.”

The UK Comic Relief has raised over £425 million to date. Red Nose Day is an event which unites the UK event in trying to make a difference to the lives of thousands of individuals facing terrible injustice or living in abject poverty.

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