Look To The Stars News: Emma Thompson

U2 And Sting Donate Items To Rainforest Foundation Charity Auction

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Sting’s The Rainforest Foundation UK will again be hosting a brilliant online celebrity charity auction event called 12 Days of Christmas.

Auction lots are an array of very desirable gift items available to any online bidders wanting to score hot gift items for their friends and family while helping a good cause. 200 fabulous guilt-free gifts have been generously donated by celebrities, luxury labels and a variety of big, eco and independent brands all of whom want to help raise money to protect the world’s rainforests.

Sting's Rainforest Foundation Announces Christmas Celebrity Charity Auction

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:30:00 +0000

After the amazing success of last year’s event, The Rainforest Foundation UK will again be hosting a brilliant online gift auction event called 12 Days of Christmas.

Auction lots include an array of very desirable gift items available to any online bidders wanting to score hot gift items for their friends and family while helping a good cause. 200 fabulous guilt-free gifts have been generously donated by celebrities, luxury labels and a variety of big, eco and independent brands all of whom want to help raise money to protect the world’s rainforests.

Auction lots include signed items from Sting, U2, Stephen Fry, Dame Judi Dench and Emma Thompson, red carpet dresses from John Galliano, new season clothing, shoes and accessories direct from 2011 London and Paris Fashion Weeks, an Addict/Endeaver snowboard, amazing designer bags from the likes of Valentino (donated by STYLEBOP.com) and Coach, homewares from Squint, Fat Boy and Furniture Magpies, signed art from Rob Ryan and Paul Insect, sports gear from Rapha, O’Neill and North Face, baking lessons and baked goods from Primrose Bakery, You Make A Cake & Cake Pop Princess, plus VIP gig & show tickets from Zane Lowe, The National Ballet, Soundcrash and The Warehouse Project, and ethical gifts, music packs, Michelin-starred dinners, hampers, luxury hotel stays, pamper days and even a place in a top football school for the little ones!

Stars Campaign Against Government Control Orders

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:30:00 +0000

On the eve of the 2011 Oscars, stars lined up to condemn the unsafe and unfair control order scheme, repackaged as Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures by the Coalition Government in Britain.

Annie Lennox has added her voice to Liberty’s campaign against Government proposals to continue the unsafe and unfair control order regime. She joins Emma Thompson, Honor Blackman, Simon Callow, Riz Ahmed, Vivienne Westwood and Rory Bremner plus the 3,000 members of the public who have already signed Liberty’s 2010 control order petition in protest at the worst legislative legacy of the war on terror.

Liberty is also known as the National Council for Civil Liberties. Founded in 1934, it is a cross party, non-party membership organisation at the heart of the movement for fundamental rights and freedoms in England and Wales. Liberty promotes the values of individual human dignity, equal treatment and fairness as the foundations of a democratic society.

Celebrity Women Awarded For Charity Work

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0000

A number of famous females were honored at the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards in London on Monday night.

Among those to be honored were Emma Thompson, who was named Role Model of the Year for her work campaigning for victims of abuse and rape. Model Natalia Vodianova was awarded Inspiration of the Year, for her work with the Naked Heart Foundation, an organization she founded to provide safe play environments for children in Russia. She is also an ambassador for Hear The World.

Singer Annie Lennox was also honored at the event: “Annie Lennox was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her extraordinary musical career which has seen her sell more than 80 million albums worldwide. The award, presented by Jools Holland, also recognised Annie’s tireless work for Aids awareness. Lennox has shown a longterm dedication that is not always apparent elsewhere in celebrity charity endorsements, such as founding the charity, Sing, which has raised more than two million dollars in support of HIV prevention and treatment in South Africa.”

Children Of Peace To Benefit From Charity Comedy Night

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0000

After the sell-out success of last year’s Stand-up for Peace, Children of Peace’s renowned comedy night is back with a fantastic line-up, in aid of an inspirational cause. The money raised will go towards projects that specifically bring Israeli and Palestinian children together in the hope that they will develop long lasting friendships.

Children of Peace – the UK based multi-faith and non partisan charity– aims to build friendship, reconciliation and trust between Israeli and Palestinian children and youth, aged 4-17, through shared arts, education, health and sports programs, regardless of faith, gender or heritage.

James Bond And Friends Go Red For Heart Health

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Former James Bond actor Sir Roger Moore has joined with a host of other British celebrities to support the British Heart Foundation’s National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 26.

“Red for Heart is a brilliant way to raise money for the nation’s heart charity – do your bit this February by going red,” said the veteran actor.

The star is joined by Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Gemma Atkinson, Jacqueline Wilson, Emma Thompson and many others for the campaign, which aims to raise awareness of heart disease in Britain.

Celebrities Donate Mugs To Charity Auction

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Mugs donated by 13 of Britain’s favorite celebrities are going under the hammer for charity.

Stars such as Emma Thompson, Nigella Lawson, Chris Tarrant, Dragon’s Den’s Duncan Bannatyne, celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh, London Mayor Boris Johnson, violinist Nicola Benedetti, Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark and authors Philippa Gregory (The Other Boleyn Girl) and Freya North (Secrets) have donated their favorite mugs to the auction to raise money for Mary’s Meals, a charity that provides school meals for 375,000 children around the world.

“A mug has become something of a symbol of our work, which is why we have chosen it as the theme for our auction,” said Ruth Black, one of the charity’s founders. “Each child is responsible for their own mug, which ensures that they get a fair portion every day, and they take great care of them – I remember seeing one little boy who carried his on a string around his neck to make sure that he didn’t miss out.”

Lily Cole Leads Celebrity Charity Auction

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

As reported by Look To The Stars earlier this month, environmental media charity tve is currently running an auction featuring a plethora of celebrity items.

A dress worn by Lily Cole is the most sought after item to date in an eclectic eBay auction Bid for the future. With less than 4 days to go, the stunning Juicy Couture dress already has the top number of bids in the auction. Other celebrity donations are proving irresistible stocking fillers with Sir David Attenborough’s specially signed book topping the list, followed closely by Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Stephen Fry.

For those readers with a passion for crime novels, there’s a chance to bid for a first edition travel book by prolific author John Creasey and the invitation to have lunch with his son Richard, Chair of tve, at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Stars Write Letters To Themselves For Charity Book

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0000

If you were to write a letter to your 16-year-old self, what would it say?

In the new book Dear Me, some of the world’s best loved personalities have written just such a letter. Their letters range from the compassionate, to the shocking via hilarity and heartbreak – but they all have one thing in common: they offer a unique glimpse at the teenager who grew up to be a house-hold name.

£1 from each copy sold will be given to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Celebrities Donate Items To Environmental Charity Auction

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

This year TVE marks its 25th anniversary as an award-winning media charity making films on the environment and development. And to celebrate, they have launched an amazing online auction.

Founded by WWF, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP} and Central Television in 1984, its original advisory panel included Sir David Attenborough, the Aga Khan and Dr Mostafa Tolba, head of the UN Environment Programme. Today tve films are broadcast in 172 countries, reaching 302 million homes via global satellite broadcasts and more than half a billion people on national, regional and local channels worldwide.

The auction launches on Thursday and includes an incredible array of items. Going under the hammer are a copy of Stephen Fry in America signed by Britain’s best-loved comic genius; a signed copy of designer, writer and television presenter Kevin McCloud’s Colour Now – to help you with those interior design challenges; the top worn by one of Britain’s most gifted actors, Emma Thompson, in the 1994 Hollywood comedy ‘Junior’; a signed copy of Sir David Attenborough’s Life on Air, telling the story of how he became Britain’s best-loved nature journalist, a signed copy of ‘Race to the Pole’, the story of Scott’s quest written by the man described as the world’s greatest living adventurer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes; a copy of ‘Trowel and Error’, signed by Britain’s favourite television gardener and presenter Alan Titchmarsh; items from actress Lily Cole; and much much more.

Derek Jacobi Joins Madonna as Charity Patron

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Sir Derek Jacobi has just signed on as the latest Patron of Children of Peace, joining existing Patron Madonna, and a long list of famous names, in supporting the charity’s work.

Children of Peace works to protect children from the violence in Israel and Palestine, while establishing projects and programs in the arts, education, health and sports for Israeli and Palestinian children, aged 4-17.

The charity has so far garnered the support of stars such as Dame Judi Dench, Dame Helen Mirren, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Stewart and Emma Thompson.

Emma Thompson Makes Dream Come True

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

British actress Emma Thompson made a young girl’s dream come true last week.

Isabelle Brown is a 13-year-old cystic fibrosis sufferer who got to spend a day on the set of the upcoming sequel to Nanny McPhee with the Oscar-winning actress and screenwriter.

The teenager was nominated for the treat by the Great Ormond Street Hospital – where she receives treatment – and the trip was organized by Rays of Sunshine, a charity that makes wishes come true for terminally and seriously ill children between the ages of 3-18 in the United Kingdom. Rays of Sunshine also buys vitally needed equipment for those children, and supports the hospitals, hospices and specialist schools that care for them by purchasing equipment and funding capital projects.

Stars For A Cause To Raise Charity Funds Tonight

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:30:00 +0000

A selection of items designed and decorated by some of Entertainment’s biggest stars will go under the hammer at Bonhams and Butterfields Auction House in Los Angeles tonight, May 28.

The Stars For A Cause Auction features a wide range of rare and collectable items, such as posters signed by Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anna Paquin, David Duchovny, Rumer Willis, Jonas Brothers, P. Diddy, America Ferrera, Hayden Panettiere, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Anne Hathaway, Steve Carell, Emma Thompson, Marisa Tomei, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Tina Fey, Steven Spielberg and many more.

There are also shoes from William Shatner and Ludacris, and bags adorned with kisses from Al Roker, Nancy O’Dell, Nicollette Sheridan, Marcia Cross, Hugh Laurie, Phillip Seymore Hoffman, Geena Davis, Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher, Reese Witherspoon, Kelly Clarkson, Green Day, Keira Knightley, Paula Abdul, John Legend and many more.

Emma Thompson Blogs On Charity

Thu, 14 May 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Actress Emma Thompson, in a contribution to The Times, discusses the pitfalls of celebrity activism, but why it’s worth it.

“When you are famous,” writes Thompson, “working for charity has become almost de rigueur, and while it can be stunningly effective (witness Brad Pitt in New Orleans) it can also be profoundly off-putting.”

So can its overly-used terminology. Thompson notes: "Words such as “charity”, “cause”, “development”, “human rights” and “activism” can all become skewed with misuse. At best, overuse renders them banal. But at worst they become counterproductive. Say “human rights activist” and increasing numbers of people will just slam their hands over their ears. There is cause weariness even before you prefix “human rights activist” with that extra soul-sapping tag “celebrity”."

Stars Donate Underwear To Charity Auction

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:00:00 +0000

A host of stars are going commando for charity this week by donating their underwear to a new charity auction.

Stars such as the Black Eyed Peas’ Fergie, Emma Thompson, Helen Mirren, Katie Price, Tilda Swinton, and Joanna Lumley have donated their autographed underwear to the auction, which will benefit the New North London Synagogue, an institution that offers a wide range of educational, cultural, social action, and other communal activities for both its membership and the wider Jewish and non-Jewish community, including a monthly drop-In for destitute asylum seekers.

A wide range of signed underwear is going under the hammer, from the extremely small to the strangely old-fashioned. Also up for auction are pants autographed by Ricky Gervais, Jarvis Cocker, Alex Kingston, Daniel Day Lewis, Nick Cave, Nick Hornby, Ray Winstone, Sacha Baron Cohen, and many more.

Emma Thompson Buys Land To Stop Heathrow Extension

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000

British actress Emma Thompson has joined with Greenpeace to buy a plot of land earmarked for a proposed third runway at Heathrow airport in London.

The 49-year-old actress said it was “hypocritical” for the government to promise to reduce greenhouse gases while increasing air traffic capacity by expanding the country’s largest airport.

“I don’t understand how any government remotely serious about committing to reversing climate change can even consider these ridiculous plans,” she said. “We’ll stop this from happening even if we have to move in and plant vegetables.”

Paul McCartney's Guitar Auctioned For ActionAid

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:30:00 +0000

A handmade guitar owned by Sir Paul McCartney was due to go under the hammer for charity in London last night, November 25.

The black acoustic/electric guitar was made especially by Takamine Guitars and has his name inscribed in mother of pearl on the fret board. A pair of the guitars were presented to the former Beatle after a tour 10 years ago.

The guitar was auctioned as part of ActionAid’s Call My Wine Bluff event held to raise money for the charity’s work fighting poverty and injustice worldwide. Based on the classic TV game show, Call my Bluff, special celebrity guests included Emma Thompson, David Mitchell, Sue Perkins, Sean Lock, Hugh Dennis and Tim Brooke-Taylor – all of whom tried to trick guests into believing a story behind the wines they were tasting.

Give Landmines The Boot With Charity Auction

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:00:00 +0000

A British charity for victims of landmines has launched their annual online celebrity shoe auction.

The Mines Advisory Group has gathered footwear from over 50 celebrities for the auction, which will raise vital funds for their projects and draw attention to the part of the body most vulnerable to landmines.

The auction was launched by model Kelly Knox, the glamorous winner of BBC 3’s best disabled model competition, at Merchant Taylor’s Hall in London.

Prince Charles Celebrates 60th By Giving Back

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:30:00 +0000

Prince Charles didn’t feel that celebrating his 60th birthday last week was any reason to break from charity work, so he attended the launch of a new project run by his Prince’s Trust.

The one-week campaign, called Youth Week, aimed to overshadow negative gang-crime press by highlighting the positive contributions young people are making in society.

“Young people are more likely to do voluntary work than any other age group,” said Martina Milburn, chief executive of the Trust. “We need to celebrate our nation’s youth.”

Emma Thompson Supports Epilepsy Foundation

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:30:00 +0000

British actress Emma Thompson has been named patron of the Daisy Garland Foundation.

“The Daisy Garland Foundation is an extremely worthwhile cause,” said Thompson. “This family-run, registered charity works tirelessly to raise funds for children with epilepsy. They put their efforts to the best use by funding specialist dieticians to work within the National Health System, giving children with difficult to control epilepsy a chance to reach their full potential in life.”

The charity was set up by Sara and David Garland, whose daughter – Daisy – died from Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy in 2004, just 3 days after her sixth birthday. The Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for children who suffer from difficult to control epilepsy accompanied by developmental delay. They do this by raising awareness of epilepsy and the issues faced by families, offering support to children and families, and providing any equipment needed by families affected by epilepsy.

College Students Stage Celebrity Shoe Auction

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

A host of celebrities are baring their soles in a charity auction organized by college students in Scotland this week.

Robin Williams, Daniel Radcliffe, Zoë Wanamaker, Ewan McGregor, and Elton John are among the stars to donate their footwear to One Step Beyond, a charity made up of staff and students of Angus College at Arbroath.

The 19 pairs of shoes will be on auction until October 19, and proceeds will go to organizations such as Cancer Research UK, Cash for Kids, No More Landmines, and the Angus College Charitable Trust.

What Book Got The Stars Hooked?

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

Before they were famous, they were reading under the covers with flashlights like the rest of us, and now, stars are sharing their love of reading with us through the What Got You Hooked? campaign.

What Book Got You Hooked is an initiative of First Book, a charity whose mission is to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. The online campaign highlights the importance of books in the lives of children – especially for those in need.

From now through September 15, visitors to the First Book Web site are asked to share their memory of the first book that made reading fun, then help get more children hooked by voting for the state to receive a special donation of 50,000 new books for children in need. Oklahoma was last year’s campaign winner with over 34,000 votes in its favor. Visitors are also invited to make a $10 donation, to help provide four brand new books for a child in need.

Ricky Martin Fights Human Trafficking

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:49:29 +0000

In February of this year, singer Ricky Martin spent three-days at a United Nations conference in Vienna where he learned of Cambodia’s child trafficking problems. This week, he was reduced to tears during a charity trip to a Cambodian shelter where a teenage rape victim performed a song she wrote about her ordeal as a trafficking victim.

“She sings like an angel,” said Martin, a five-time Grammy Award winner.

The sultry pop star was representing his Ricky Martin Foundation in support of the fight against human trafficking when he visited a shelter in Siem Reap in order to spend time with children affected by sexual assaults. The shelter houses 65 victims of human trafficking, and Martin spent time comforting, among others, a 3-month-old girl whose mother was sold into prostitution, as well as numerous children in need of comfort.

Emma Thompson Speaks Out for the Forgotten

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:23:12 +0000

The Helen Bamber Foundation is holding a Candlelight Vigil to Remember the Forgotten in London this evening. The charity works with survivors of genocide, torture, trafficking and rape, offering them the support they need to rediscover their strength and security. The Foundation also works towards an end to human trafficking, offering hope to the living disappeared.

Their website says of the vigil: “It’s a small thing to light a candle but its meaning for those who remain lost in the dark is immeasurable.”

Speaking at the vigil will be Emma Thompson, an active Helen Bamber Foundation supporter, and actress/poet Eve Pearce. Music will be provided by Jazz trumpeter Guy Barker and vocalist Ian Shaw.

Emma Thompson’s Sex Slave Journey

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:25:22 +0000

Actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson has lent her face and time to support the Journey installation, which recently appeared in front of London’s National Gallery and is now headed to other locations.

Journey’s seven rusty shipping containers, the kind also used for trafficking people, lined Trafalgar Square for a week last month. Each container was curated by a different artist, and each depicts elements in the life of a London sex slave, Elena, sold for £500 ($1,000 US) in Lithuania to traffickers, and then forced to serve 20 to 30 clients a day. Visitors to the installation leave at least disturbed, if not unnerved.

Created to bring attention to the work of the Helen Bamber Foundation, an organization that offers therapeutic treatment to those traumatised by violence and abuse, the installation came from Thompson’s friendship with Elena, one of Bamber’s clients. Thompson offers her studio for yoga and pilates to clients from the foundation.