Look To The Stars News: Michael Caine

LTTS Exclusive - The Variety Club 57th Annual Showbiz Awards

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Look To The Stars’ UK Correspondent Richard Barker was lucky enough to attend the Variety Club’s 57th Annual Showbiz Awards and filed this exclusive report and photos.

I was delighted to spend some time with A-list celebrities from music, film, theatre and television on the Red Carpet. The event was in aid of one of UK’s longest running children’s charities, The Variety Club, as it celebrated its Diamond Jubilee.

London saw some of the brightest stars from the showbiz world light up London’s West End as they congregated on the Red Carpet at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London W1 to show their support for one of UK’s longest running charities dedicated to sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people – The Variety Club – and to honour the most talented individuals from the world of entertainment at The Variety Club’s 57th Annual Showbiz Awards 2009. Don’t worry readers if you are based in England but weren’t there on the night – you’ll get a chance to watch the glitz, the glamour and hear the gossip on FIVE on Sunday 22nd November 2009 at 3.35pm.

The evening’s star-studded event commenced with an array of international A-list celebrities, industry stalwarts and leading luminaries from the worlds of film, television, comedy, theatre, popular music and classical music gracing the Red Carpet. The guest list welcomed names such as Kevin Spacey, Ben Kingsley, Patrick Stewart, Kelly Brook, Alesha Dixon, Dame Kelly Holmes (Ambassador for The Variety Club), David Suchet, Jon Culshaw, Alan Carr, Justin Lee Collins, Pixie Lott, Spandau Ballet, The Saturdays, Daniela Lavender, Faryl Smith and Joe Calzaghe. The stars shined for cameras as they made their way to an exclusive reception where champagne flutes were overflowing, as a prelude to a gourmet banquet and the coveted awards ceremony, which took place against a theatrical backdrop of exclusive world-class entertainment, including dazzling performances by Spandau Ballet, Pixie Lott and Faryl Smith.

The only event of its kind to honour the entire showbiz industry, this year’s winners included: Kevin Spacey, who was presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre by fellow actor David Suchet; Justin Lee Collins, who was presented with the Television Presenter of the Year Award by Alan Carr; and Spandau Ballet, who were presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Popular Music by The Saturdays.

On receiving his award, Sir Ian McKellen said, "This is an over-generous recognition of a career which, in truth, has been its own reward. Acting is working with friends and entertaining people and that’s quite enough for me. The Variety Club is having its 60th birthday, which means I was ten years old at the time in 1949, living in the north of England in Wigan, Lancashire. I was, without knowing it, preparing for a life in show business.

The Variety Club is the essence of life for kids who desperately need the help to get healthy. I am full of admiration for the work you have done for the past 60 years and hope you carry on with the work you do. I am extremely honoured to be associated with this charity and this award."

The Variety Club Showbiz Awards is one of the most eagerly anticipated entries on the British entertainment calendar and has become an international celebrity institution in itself. Nearly every showbiz personality of note from the past 60 years has been honoured by The Variety Club, renowned for its strong links with the showbiz world, including Tommy Trinder, Dame Vera Lynn, Lord Laurence Olivier, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Sir Alec Guiness, Sir Michael Caine, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Judy Dench, Ben Kingsley, Diana Dors, Daniel Craig, Keira Knightley, Jude Law, James McAvoy, Al Pacino, Peter Sellers, Tommy Cooper, Ricky Gervais, Alan Carr, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Katherine Jenkins and Hayley Westenra.

The Variety Club Showbiz Awards raises significant funds for and awareness of the work The Variety Club undertakes to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. Celebrating its Diamond Jubilee this year, the charity has raised over £200 million and improved the lives of more than a million children and young people since its inception. Among its tireless work, the charity provides Sunshine Coaches, Easy Riders electric wheelchairs, exciting and educational trips, equipment for children’s hospitals and life enhancing equipment.

Also at this year’s Showbiz Awards, The Variety Club, in partnership with The Co-operative, revealed the face of its 2010 Gold Heart campaign – Alesha Dixon. The Gold Heart badges will be sold in Co-operative food, bank, travel and pharmacy stores from 28th January 2010. Owned by its members, The Co-operative has a long and proud history of supporting charities, community groups and other good causes. Every £1 donated in-store to the fund will help The Variety Club to provide vital, life-changing equipment to those children that need it most.

John Sachs, Chairman, The Variety Club Showbiz Awards comments, "Once again, the Showbiz Awards has honoured the UK’s top entertainment personalities embracing television, film, comedy, theatre, classical and popular music. As The Variety Club also celebrates its Diamond Jubilee this year, there was even more glamour, showbiz magic and star appeal than ever before.

The prestigious event also helped raise awareness and funds for The Variety Club’s praiseworthy work and as one of the UK’s longest serving charities dedicated to helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people, our sole and primary focus is to make sure every child and young person is given the chance to reach their fullest potential."

Here are some facts about The Variety Club:
The Variety Club provides practical solutions to allow sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK to reach their full potential. This year sees The Variety Club celebrate its 60th year of bringing hope, independence and freedom to children and young people. In the past 60 years The Variety Club has raised over £200 million and helped more than a million children and young people. The Variety Club has donated more than 3,300 Easy Riders electric wheelchairs and mobility aids since 1981, put 4,890 Sunshine Coaches on the road and given around £20 million to children’s hospitals. To find out more information or donate go to www.varietyclub.org.uk. Follow the Variety Club on twitter here.

Charitable Celebrities To Receive 21st Century Leaders Awards

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Celebrities will be out in abundance in Doha, Qatar, next week for the Whatever It Takes Experience presented by 21st Century Leaders and Whatever It Takes.

As well as a private art experience and gala dinner, several stars will be honored with 21st Century Leaders Awards at this massive charity event.

The Doha 21st Century Leaders’ Awards are granted to individuals who, whilst being leaders in their own fields, have also made a serious commitment and significant impact on their chosen cause.

The award is given to individuals who have used their influence to raise awareness, their celebrated status to raise funds, and the respect and notoriety which they have gained from successes in their chosen profession, to make positive policy changes to progress either environmental or humanitarian concerns.

Friday, October 30, will see Sir Ben Kingsley CBE, Venus and Serena Williams, Josh Hartnett, Danny Boyle and Christian Colson honored for their outstanding charity and humanitarian work. A surprise guest will open the event, and an art exhibition will also take place featuring original artworks by George Clooney, Stella McCartney, Sir Roger Moore KBE, Sir Michael Caine CBE, and Lady Shakira Caine, Sir Ian McKellen, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, Laurence Fishburne, John Travolta, Pierce Brosnan OBE, Morgan Freeman, Charlize Theron, Minnie Driver, Lucy Liu, Susan Sarandon, Courteney Cox & David Arquette, Whoopi Goldberg, Penelope Cruz, Benicio del Toro, Joseph Fiennes, Anjelica Huston, Christian Slater, Harvey Keitel, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Gillian Anderson, Hilary Duff, Adrien Brody, Mickey Rourke, Robin Wright Penn, Patrick Stewart, Lauren Bacall, Stephanie Powers, Toni Collette, Daniel Craig and many more.

An active supporter and patron of charities such as the Prince’s Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and First Star, English actor Sir Ben Kingsley CBE is very much devoted to helping disadvantaged young people and children. In 2008, Kingsley was awarded the “Cinema for Peace Honorary Award”, for the portrayal of the humanitarian role-models Simon Wiesenthal, Itzhak Stern and Gandhi.

In April 2009, following the success of Slumdog Millionaire, filmmakers Danny Boyle and Christian Colson announced a commitment of £500,000 to Plan, an international children’s development organization. The money will be spent on a five-year program focusing on education and sanitation, designed to improve the lives of children in Mumbai’s slum communities. In consultation with Plan, the filmmakers have also founded the Jai Ho Trust, an independent trust which aims to ensure that Rubina Ali (who played the youngest Latika in the film) and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail (youngest Salim) receive an education, housing and social support. The trust will also hold a sum of money for the two children until they reach adulthood.

American actor and film producer Josh Hartnett supports a number of worthy causes and has backed Global Cool, a charity focused on climate change since its inception. Launching with a reception at No.10 Downing Street in London in 2007, Josh Hartnett met with former Prime Minister Tony Blair on behalf of the group and has since taken the message of greenhouse gas reduction far and wide, to let people know that they really can make a difference to the environmental health of our planet.

Professional women’s tennis players whom have won a combined 12 Grand Slam titles. The Williams sisters have demonstrated an immense amount of charitable work off the court. The “Williams Sister’s Tour” set out to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities which provides housing for families of seriously ill children. In addition, Serena started The Serena Williams Foundation which focuses on education, and helping underprivileged children in Africa who cannot afford to go to school or college to do so.

WhateverItTakes.org is a unique charity artwork project which inspires hope by gathering artworks from leaders in all fields; royalty, film, music, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, sports, literature etc. The artworks are used to ethically produce Whatever It Takes products which are then sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader. 21st Century Leaders Foundation’s mission is to assist and encourage a generation of influencers – royalty, Nobel peace prize laureates and well-known leaders in the fields of film, music, fashion, art and literature – to raise awareness and funds for international development causes, thereby leading the way in promoting positive environmental sustainable development. 21st Century Leaders was founded in May 2003 when Charlotte di Vita was made a Goodwill Ambassador to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. 21st Century Leaders was also the 10th Anniversary celebration of Trade plus Aid, the foundation for which Charlotte had received an MBE from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

To find out more about this event – to be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Doha on October 30/31 – click here.

Will Smith To Host Nobel Peace Concert

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Will Smith – along with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith – is to host this year’s Nobel Peace Concert in Norway.

The concert will take place on December 11 and feature performances from Wyclef Jean, Donna Summer and Toby Keith. The Nobel Concert is an annual event televised in over 100 countries, and has in the past been hosted by Kevin Spacey, Uma Thurman, Sharon Stone, Salma Hayek and many others. Last year’s concert was hosted by Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson.

The winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on October 6 and will be bestowed the day before the concert, December 10 – the anniversary of founder Alfred Nobel’s death. Geir Lundestad, secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, was excited to have the Hollywood couple as concert hosts.

“Together they’ve had a global impact on the arts and philanthropy and will be excellent ambassadors for peace,” he said.

Sir Michael Caine's Ideas To Reduce Street Violence

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British actor Sir Michael Caine is calling on the U.K.’s leaders to reinstate national service in an effort to reduce street violence and drug-taking amongst young people.

Caine’s eyes were opened to the problems facing youth in some areas while filming his newest movie, Harry Brown.

“I’m very stodgy but I’m turning into a real conservative,” he said. "What you actually need to do is bring back national service; not for two years like I did – where I went to the Korean War, but have six months to learn to defend your country.

“You don’t kill anybody; you just learn to defend your country in case somebody comes to kill you. I think it’s very important that these kids get the sense of being citizens and the pride that can come with that.”

“When I read the script I had a middle class reaction, which is to get all these bastards and stick them into prison. I shot a lot at night there with all the guys known as hoodies and I would talk to them and I changed my mind about them.

“I realized that 75 per cent of them are educateable (sic).”

Stars Sign Mini For British Forces Morale

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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.”

Proceeds will go to the well-being and esprit de corps of all serving personnel.

To find out more, click here.

Matt Damon And Ben Affleck Head Back To The Charity Poker Table

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are heading back to the poker table to raise money for charity.

The Cannes Charity Poker event, which is being sponsored by 888.com, will coincide with the Cannes Film Festival and is being held to raise money for Ben Affleck’s and Matt Damon’s charities – Not On Our Watch in aid of the children in the Darfur region, and One Voice For Freedom, the children’s anti-slavery charity whose patrons include Michael Caine, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.

The Cannes Charity Poker event is a privately run affair and the final 60 places will have been vetted by the organizers in an attempt to attract only the very top ‘A’ list celebrities.

Poker site 888.com is offering its customers the chance to play poker live at the Cannes Film Festival on 19th May with the stars. 888.com has secured one highly sought after place for one its customers on this final table, as the official gaming partners of the Cannes Charity Poker Event. Customers can win that place by playing at 888poker over the coming weeks.

To win an entry into the free roll event 888poker’s players will have to have accrued 1200 points from March 1st to May 6th. Once they have achieved this they will take part in a free roll poker tournament on May 9th.

The Cannes Charity Poker Event Final will have seven tables, each with at least one ‘A’ List celebrity such as Matt Damon or Ben Affleck on each table. The black tie occasion promises to be one of THE events of the two week Cannes Film Festival and the lucky 888.com winners not only have a chance of winning great prizes but also helping charity.

Michael Caine Fears For London’s Children

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

While filming his latest thriller in a London sink estate, actor Michael Caine was shocked at the deterioration of the housing institution, which, ironically, makes his movie all the more relevant.

Caine grew up in such a social housing complex, but remembers a very different environment. Grateful for electric lights and indoor bathroom when he first moved into an estate as a child, Caine remembers his loving family, food on the table, and his own gang: “Seven guys that were funnier than me. We had a lot of fun. We used to drink and chase girls,” he told London’s Evening Standard. Much has changed.

His new film paints a grim picture of the sink estates rife with crime and violence. Seeing this as reality has Caine speaking out: “This [movie] is a dark portrait but unfortunately it’s very true and we’re all responsible for it. We left the children to rot. We left these children and they grew into animals.”

Southwark councillor Kim Humphreys disagrees with Caine. “Elephant and Castle is in a state of transition,” she said, but feels the community remains strong.

Caine feels otherwise. “That terrible place for me was a step up,” he told the paper. “But when I see how these children live now – compared with the flats there now, [mine] was like a middle-class dwelling.”

Scarlett Johansson And Michael Caine Promote Peace Through Mediation

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

At the Nobel Peace Concert that Scarlett Johansson and Michael Caine hosted in Oslo, Norway, earlier this month, former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari’s ‘mediation as a means to ending conflict and solving world problems’ was celebrated.

Ahtisaari, who received the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize at an award ceremony the day before, was honored for his many accomplishments in conflict areas across the globe. These include his work towards achieving independence for Namibia and for his peace-making efforts in Kosovo, Indonesia, Northern Ireland, Central Asia, the Horn of Africa and, most recently, Iraq.

Pleased to have won the prize, Ahtisaari hopes that it will help his Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) organization to promote peace and security around the world.

“The prize will make it easier to finance the organization,” he told Norwegian Broadcasting, “which in turn will make it easier for us to work.”

Norwegian Nobel Committee leader Ole Danbolt Mjøs said, “Through [Martti Ahtisaari’s] untiring efforts and good results, he has shown what role mediation of various kinds can play in the resolution of international conflicts. The Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to express the hope that others may be inspired by his efforts and his achievements.”

Eager to share that message at the Nobel Peace Concert, Johansson said, “It is important to remind young people that peace is the only real victory.”

Diana Ross, Feist and Dierks Bentley were among the performers at the concert.

Grab Heidi Klum's Jacket For 15 Below

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fancy slipping into a jacket signed by supermodel Heidi Klum or Sir Elton John? Now’s your chance – the 15 Below Project’s charity auction has been extended.

The 15 Below Project is an initiative between clothes designers TAXI and The Salvation Army to create a cheap but high quality jacket for the homeless.

“It’s a lifeline for people without homes. They’re a pretty low-cost, immediate way to address a huge issue,” said Paul Lavoie, co-founder, chairman, and chief creative officer of TAXI. “Our approach to solving problems – of any sort – has always been to question convention. This won’t eliminate homelessness, but it can make a lot of people more comfortable.”

Since November, celebrity-signed 15 Below jackets have been on auction, with stars such as Michael Stipe, Kid Rock, Robert Plant, Michael Caine, Jon Stewart and Nelly Furtado autographing the items. Although those auctions have finished, Klum and Sir Elton have now come to the party by donating signed jackets.

But wait – there’s more! Klum hasn’t only donated a jacket, but has also included two pairs of jeans from the clothing line she designed for Jordache.

These auctions end on December 11. The jackets have multiple pockets and are both warm and waterproof. When not being worn, the jacket can be folded into a backpack for easy transportation, or used as a pillow. To bid on Heidi Klum’s jacket and jeans, click here, and for Sir Elton’s item, click here.

George Clooney Hosts Charity Dinner For Darfur

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor George Clooney raised $14.57 million for charity when he hosted a fundraising party in London last Thursday, December 4.

The dinner party was held at the home of banker Roger Jenkins, a senior executive at Barclays, with guests – such as Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Cindy Crawford, Sarah Ferguson, Bono, David Walliams, Michael Caine, Claudia Schiffer, Christian Slater, and Guy Ritchie – paying up to $20,000 for a ticket. Kid Rock provided the entertainment, while television chefs Antony Worrall Thompson and Ainsley Harriott provided the food.

Proceeds from the evening went to Clooney’s Not On Our Watch, a charity he founded with actor Don Cheadle in 2007 to focus global attention and resources towards putting an end to mass atrocities in Darfur.

Clooney followed up the charity dinner by presenting ‘Golden Heart’ awards to aid workers who have spent time working in Darfur at the Ein Herz Für Kinder charity event in Berlin on Saturday night. Hosted by Thomas Gottschalk, the televised event also featured an appearance by Boris Becker.

Nobel Peace Concert To Rock Oslo

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson will co-host the 2008 Nobel Peace Concert honoring this year’s laureate, former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari.

The show – which will take place in Oslo, Norway, on December 11 – will feature performances by Diana Ross, Feist, Dierks Bentley, Jason Mraz, Julieta Venegas and Seun Kuti, and will be televised in over 100 countries.

The Nobel Concert is an annual event, and has in the past been hosted by Kevin Spacey, Uma Thurman, Sharon Stone, Salma Hayek and many others.

Former Finnish president Ahtisaari received this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for his work in mediating conflicts around the world.

Michael Caine Honored In Charity Showbiz Awards

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The 56th annual Variety Club Showbiz Awards were held in London on Sunday, November 16, to raise money for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

Among the stars to be honored at the ceremony were Sir Michael Caine, who picked up the prize for Outstanding Contribution to Showbusiness, as well as Hayley Westenra, Alan Carr, Noel Edmonds, the cast of the Hairspray musical, Kenneth Branagh and James McAvoy.

“The Variety Club Showbiz Awards are the oldest and most established awards in the UK that recognize the outstanding talent in the field of entertainment,” said Variety Club’s Showbiz Chairman John Sachs. “Due to the generous donations of all our guests and supporters, the vital funds raised tonight will enable Variety Club to continue to support children and young people throughout the UK.”

The ceremony will be broadcast on Sky1 in the UK on November 30.

World Magic Awards To Feed The Children

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

You can help make the problem of starving children disappear by attending the 2008 World Magic Awards this Saturday, October 11.

Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, the show will benefit Feed the Children, an organization that provides food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty, or natural disaster.

Featuring a host of the world’s best magicians – including Hans Klok – the World Magic Awards will attract John Schneider, Corbin Bernsen, Melora Hardin, Jonathan Schaech, Debbie Matenopolous, Ernie Hudson, Buzz Aldrin, Cristian de la Fuente, Ashley Jones and many others.

Last year’s show was hosted by Roger Moore and was attended by Joan Collins, Pamela Anderson, Marla Maples, John Schneider, Robert Vaughn, and Eric Roberts.

More information about the event – which has an organizing committee that includes Tony Hawk, Vince Gill, Adrian Paul, Montel Williams, Michael Caine, Pat Boone, Monique Coleman, and Jason Alexander – can be found at www.worldmagicawards.com.

Lap Of Honour To Support British Forces

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

A Mini is being driven around the UK in support of the British Forces Foundation, collecting the signatures of 50 top British celebrities.

The car began its 10-month-long “Lap of Honour” journey on June 11, with an inaugural signature from opera star Katherine Jenkins, and has so far collected further signatures from Hugh Grant, Michael Caine, author Frederick Forsyth, Dame Judi Dench and James Blunt.

The Lap of Honour will culminate in the BFF’s 10th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall next April. The concert line-up will feature the stars who have entertained British troops overseas, including Blunt, Jenkins and seasoned rockers Status Quo.

Following the concert, the car and an accompanying signed photo album will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Foundation.

Stars Give Spectacles To Charity

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

NEWS FLASH: A selection of Hollywood’s finest actors will soon be bumping into each other and tripping over things. No, they haven’t been into the champaign at their latest premieres – they have donated their glasses to a new charity auction.

Sir Michael Caine, Robbie Coltraine, Ewan McGregor, and George Michael are among the 24 shortsighted stars to donate their spectacles to the auction to benefit Sightsavers International, a charity that aids the visually impaired.

“Without my specs I couldn’t get around so safely and I couldn’t see the beautiful colours of the world,” said McGregor, who is a big supporter of the charity.

According to Sightsavers’ website : “In developing countries it can be a challenge for people to get their eyes tested and buy a pair of glasses. This is often because there are too few ophthalmologists, not enough equipment and also people simply can’t afford prescription lenses. Not having glasses effectively renders people blind or visually impaired usually with disastrous consequences for their livelihoods, families, schooling and quality of life. Last year Sightsavers screened more than two million people across three continents to see if they need glasses, and we hope to reach even more this year. We can provide new glasses for as little as £1.50 per pair”.

The auction will start on August 15 and run to August 24, and can be accessed through eBay.

Sightsavers is also looking for people to help with the redesign of their website. If you have an internet connection and 10 minutes to spare, the charity would like you to take part in a fun little exercise called “card sorting” to help them make sure all their information is structured in the best way possible for users. For more info, go to www.sightsavers.org.

Sir Elton John's White Tie And Tiara Party Hits The Beach

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Once a year Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish throw open the doors of their exquisite Berkshire home to a sparkling array of celebrities for their annual White Tie and Tiara Ball, and last night was no different as a staggering number of stars filed into the singer’s house for this year’s much-looked-forward-to event.

More than 600 guests turned up to the beach-themed party, each paying around US$6,000 for the dinner, auction, and concert. This year’s performance came from Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson, and attendees included Bill Clinton, Elle Macpherson, Denzel Washington, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael Caine, Simon Cowell, Rod Stewart, Mischa Barton, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Gordon Ramsay, Tracey Emin, Roger Federer, Natalie Imbruglia, Kelly Osbourne, and Jemima Khan.

Sir Elton decorated his lavish garden with palm trees and sand for the party, which raised money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Last year’s event raised over $12 million for the cause, and the White Tie and Tiara Balls have made over $50 million since 1998.

Help For Heroes Gets Royal Treatment

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:30:27 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Help for Heroes is certainly living up to its name. The charity aimed at helping injured service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan launched in October of 2007 with an initial goal of raising $12 million. With help from the community, various fundraisers and celebrities, Help for Heroes, has managed to raise a staggering $6 million in little under five months.

“I am incredibly proud and grateful for the commitment and work that our armed forces do for our country”, said soccer star David Beckham. “I support the campaign fully.”

On May 7, City Salute will host an event to benefit Help for Heroes, and has already attracted two notable British citizens – Prince William and Prince Harry.

“As brothers, we are delighted to be supporting the City of London in saluting all those who serve their country,” said Prince William. “As well as raising money for vital rehabilitation facilities, City Salute is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the fantastic contribution made by our servicemen and women and their families. It is also a chance to pay tribute to the casualty evacuation and medical staff of all three Services who protect and care for the wounded so brilliantly and with such tireless dedication.”

Prince Harry, who just returned from serving in Afghanistan, spoke of the real heroes he met on his flight home to England. “There were two injured guys who came back on the plane with us who were essentially comatose throughout the whole way. One had lost two limbs – a left arm and a right leg – and the other was saved by his mate’s body being in the way but took shrapnel to the neck. Those are the heroes. Those were guys who had been blown up by a mine that they had no idea about, serving their country, doing a normal patrol. It is a choke in your throat because you know that it’s happening.”

Other celebrities who are supporting Help for Heroes include musician James Blunt, actor Michael Caine, American Idol’s Simon Cowell, and Sharon Osbourne.

Stars from the sports world, including Chelsea captain John Terry and rugby player Jonny Wilkinson have also been wearing wristbands, and the entire England soccer squad donated their match fees from their Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia to the charity. Look for players from 18 Premiere League teams to be wearing Help for Heroes wristbands on Remembrance Sunday Weekend.

Stars Design Plates For Charity

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:51:22 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

For those who want to have dinner with the stars, this could be the next best thing. A selection of dinner plates designed by celebrities are for sale, with proceeds going to charity.

The plates feature designs by David Bowie, George Clooney, Giorgio Armani, Coldplay, Minnie Driver, and Sir Michael Caine, and are part of a fundraising initiative from 21st Century Leaders, a non-profit organization that plans to raise $3 million over three years through its “Whatever It Takes” celebrity-designed merchandise. So far, the organization has raised almost $1.5 million to fund “charitable projects in developing countries, and contribute to the protection of the environment and other causes”.

21st Century Leaders was founded by Charlotte di Vita, MBE, a goodwill ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. The 39 year old founded her first charity, Trade plus Aid, in 1992, which has raised over $5 million and helped communities in 21 developing countries to become self-supporting. A desire to do more led di Vita to start Whatever It Takes, a unique charity art project where celebrities donate their own artwork, which is then transferred onto “merchandise with a meaning”.

“It’s 15 minutes of their time to do an artwork,” said di Vita. “And it’s not just for a one-off sale or auction – I can use it to create employment and royalties that will help the charities for years to come.”

Proceeds from the products are distributed to a charity of the designer’s choice, and the dinner plates (which retail for $20) will benefit Oxfam, Save the Children, CARE International, UNHCR, and Anti-Slavery International. Other products available include mugs featuring the designs of Claudia Schiffer, Ewan McGregor, and Nicole Kidman (also retailing for $20), T-shirts designed by the Kaiser Chiefs ($80), shoes designed by Ozzy Osbourne ($80), and wristbands by Joss Stone, Green Day, and Paul McCartney ($6).

All merchandise is available from www.whateverittakes.org.

Stars Sparkle for Elton John AIDS Foundation

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A charity party organised by Sir Elton John has raised $12.2 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and was a night to remember for all those involved.

Kate Winslet, Dame Judi Dench, and Elle Macpherson were among the 500 guests who dusted off their best clothes for the 9th annual White Tie and Tiara charity ball and auction, held on June 28 at Sir Elton’s home in Berkshire.

The theme of the night was “Las Vegas”, and the evening sparkled and shone as the celebrity party-goers wore their most stylish dresses and suits for the $6000/ticket event. Sir Elton’s house, “Woodside”, was lavishly decorated with a pink stretch cadillac, giant props from his “Red Piano” shows at Caesar’s Palace, and seven Elvis impersonators serenaded the crowd as they enjoyed a feast of “Las Vegas proportions”: truffle soufflé, followed by filet mignon with Maine lobster tail, and a giant knickerbocker glory for desert.

The dinner was followed by a special auction, in which guests bid on items such as a four day tennis lesson with Roger Federer (sold for $650,000), and an Audi R8 sportscar (snapped up for $800,000).

The most sought-after items for sale on the night included an artwork by party guest Tracey Emin, a trip to South Africa with Sir Elton and his partner, and a brand new Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe (which is said to be so elite that it has a waiting list that lasts until 2009). All of these items were sold for over $1.6 million each.

After the auction, guests such as Sir Michael Caine, Kirsten Dunst, and Stephen Fry – who wore a white tie AND tiara – were treated to the concert event of a lifetime. Backed by a 25 piece orchestra, Elton John joined Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Tom Jones on stage to duet on songs such as “Hey Big Spender” and “Delilah”.

During the event, Sir Elton said that over the last 15 years the Elton John Aids Foundation has raised over $125 million. Much of this money has been used to raise awareness and aid for those affected by the disease in 55 countries.

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