Look To The Stars News: Ian Botham

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.

Rod Stewart Donates Concert Tickets To Troops

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Rod Stewart has donated tickets to a charity initiative that Jeremy Clarkson once described as being “even better than sliced bread.”

Stewart has donated tickets to his upcoming shows at the Sheffield Arena on July 20 and the Glasgow SECC on July 26 to Tickets for Troops. Tickets For Troops was set up last year to provide top tickets to sporting, musical and entertainment events to troops and their families during these difficult times. Patrons of charity include Samantha Cameron, Dame Vera Lynn, Andrew Flintoff, Gavin Hastings, Joanna Lumley, Alan Shearer, James Blunt, Ian Botham and Joss Stone.

Members of the Armed Forces and veterans medically discharged since 2001 are eligible for top tickets to the shows.

X-Files And Lost Stars Doodle For Charity

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

National Doodle Day will once again kick off on March 5 in the UK, with a host of celebrities putting pen to paper for a charity auction.

The doodles include artworks from The X-Files’ Gillian Anderson, Eric Idle, Amanda Holden, Boyzone, Catherine Tate, Chris Tarrant, Lost’s Dominic Monaghan, Fearne Cotton, Geri Halliwell, Ian Botham, Jacqueline Wilson, Jason Flemyng, Rolf Harris, Twiggy and many more.

It’s the seventh time the initiative has been run, with proceeds going to Epilepsy Action and the Neurofibromatosis Association.

Sir Ian Botham Swings A Club For Leukaemia Research

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:30:00 +0000

English sports legend Sir Ian Botham swapped his cricket bat for a golf club in a recent tournament that raised over US$100,000 for charity in Spain.

The former cricket captain – who completed his twelfth long-distance walk through Britain for charity in October – was among a host of professional sports stars who played in the Sir Ian Botham Charity Golf Classic at the Desert Springs Resort and Golf Club last month to raise money for Leukaemia Research.

As well as leading a golf tournament that featured Ian Woosnam, Dennis Taylor, Steve Cram, and Matt Dawson, Sir Ian also hosted a gala dinner and auction that included lots such as the chance to play a round of golf at Desert Springs with 2006 Ryder Cup Captain and US Masters Champion Ian Woosnam OBE, and the opportunity to attend a private dinner at Coutts Bank with Sir Ian Botham.

Sir Ian Botham Gets On The Magic Bus In Mumbai

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Large crowds gathered to welcome Laureus World Sports Academy members Sir Ian Botham and Kapil Dev as they paid an emotional visit to Mumbai to meet and play sport with children from the slums of Dharavi as part of the Laureus-supported Magic Bus project last week.

The Magic Bus project is a child development organization which helps to improve the lives of children living in at-risk communities where the majority of residents live on or below the poverty line in difficult and overcrowded conditions. Magic Bus creates ‘classrooms without walls’ for these children, using football, outdoor activities and games to give them an opportunity to develop vital personal and social skills that will help them build a better future and change their communities.

Botham – one of the greatest cricketers of the 20th century – and Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev took part in sports activities with the young people at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. They met girls from the magic bus project and joined in singing and dance routines which they have learned in the project. They watched boys from the Dharavi community competing against others from Salam Balak area.

Ian Botham's Charity Walk Ends Successfully

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:30:00 +0000

British cricket legend Sir Ian Botham has completed his 12th long-distance walk for charity.

The 52-year-old former test captain walked 140 miles through nine towns in England and Scotland to raise money for Leukaemia Research.

“It has gone very, very well,” he told England’s Sunday Sun newspaper. “I think it has been extremely successful and the public have responded magnificently. In the buckets we are approaching about a quarter of a million or more, but that is just what we have collected physically on the road. There is all the sponsorship money to come after that. It is always nice to get the job done. There will be a little bit of a celebration tonight and then I’m on holiday.”

Ian Botham - 12 Not Out For Charity

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Former English cricketer Sir Ian Botham is to set off on his 12th long distance charity walk this weekend.

The 52-year-old former test captain has raised over £10 million (US$20 million) for Leukaemia Research since his first 900-mile trek from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 1995. Last year he was knighted for his efforts.

“When we set out on our first march from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 1985, the chances of survival for leukaemia patients was only 20 per cent,” said the cricket star, who was inspired to do something positive for children’s cancer research after meeting sick children while in a Taunton hospital for treatment on a broken toe. He accidentally walked into a children’s ward and was horrified to learn that some of the children had only weeks to live. “With the necessary funding, I’m told we can raise the bar to 95 per cent in the next 10 years which would be a fantastic achievement in such a short timespan. I wont stop until there is a 100 per cent cure.”

Sir Ian Botham Invites You To Join Him On Charity Walk

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:30:00 +0000

English cricket legend Sir Ian Botham is planning his 12th long distance charity walk to raise money for research into leukaemia – and this time, members of the public are invited to walk with him.

This year’s walk will be taking place for 9 days between October 10 and 18 and will visit 9 towns throughout the UK. As with Sir Ian’s previous walks, sponsorship money and donations will go to Leukaemia Research, a British charity dedicated to blood disorders in children. Childhood leukaemia is the single largest cancer-killer in children and Leukaemia Research needs over £100 million (US$200 million) to commit to new research in the next five years.

“When I started my first walk back in 1985, children diagnosed with leukaemia had just a 20% chance of survival,” said the 52-year-old former cricket captain. “Today it is an 80% chance. I won’t stop walking until there is a cure but I need your help.”

Sir Ian Botham Awarded For Charity Work

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Former English cricket captain Sir Ian Botham has been awarded an honorary degree for his sporting feats and his charity work.

The 52-year-old cricket legend received the degree at the Leeds Metropolitan University, where British Lions rugby coach Ian McGeechan praised him for his charity fundraising walks which have netted over £5 million (US$10 million) for Leukaemia Research, an organization that helps children with the disease. Botham has led 11 long-distance walks to raise money for the foundation, which he was inspired to start in 1985 when he had to visit a Taunton hospital for treatment on a broken toe. During his stay at the hospital, the batsman was shocked into action when he stumbled into a children’s ward and witnessed the suffering of patients with leukaemia.

Since then, the chances of survival for a child with leukaemia has risen from 20% to 80%.

Butterflies Benefit British Wildlife

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:56:00 +0000

Over 120 British celebrities have put their artistic skills to the test for an online auction, and a dazzling collection of their original drawings and paintings will help raise money to save wildlife.

The artworks, which all feature a colorful array of butterflies and moths, are currently being auctioned on eBay, with the proceeds going to the Dorset Wildlife Trust, one of 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the UK, dedicated to the conservation of Britain’s unique wildlife. Famous names such as Daniel Craig, Ricky Gervais, and member of the newly reformed Spice Girls, Melanie C, are just some of those who have donated artworks to the auction, which started on September 16 and will run for several months.

“We have had a fantastic and generous response from all our celebrity artists,” said auction organizer, Les Bunce. “And sponsorship of our costs means that all the money raised will go straight to help wildlife in Dorset.”

Botham Knighted For Fundraising Efforts

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:21:46 +0000

British cricket legend Ian Botham has been knighted in recognition of his outstanding fundraising efforts.

The all-rounder is estimated to have raised around £10m (around $20m) for Leukaemia Research through a series of long-distance charity walks.

The 51-year-old became the first player to score 5,000 runs in the sport that made him famous.