Look To The Stars News: George Michael

GaydayRadio Launches Celebrity Charity Auction For World AIDS Day

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

GaydarRadio in the UK is marking World AIDS Day on 1 December by raising money for the National AIDS Trust and auctioning digital radios that have been signed by a host of stars, including George Michael, JLS, The Wanted, Olly Murs, Steps, Stephen Fry, Paul O’Grady, Gary Barlow and Kelly Rowland.

Bidding starts on Wednesday 23 November on eBay and runs until December 3.

NAT is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to transforming society’s response to HIV. They provide fresh thinking, expertise and practical resources. They champion the rights of people living with HIV and campaign for change. GaydarRadio is urging people to dig deep and show their support for this incredible charity whose work, both on the front-line and behind the scenes, has a direct positive impact on the lives of those who are HIV+ in the UK.

Elton John And George Michael Support New Gay Rights Group

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Sir Elton John and George Michael will both attend the launch of new gay rights group at the House of Commons in London today, September 13.

Supported by British Prime Minister David Cameron and other high-ranking government officials, Kaleidoscope aims to revoke 19th British colonial anti-gay laws and stop persecution of gay and lesbian citizens, using business and political pressure.

“In some countries, it’s simply appalling how people can be treated – how their rights are trampled on and the prejudices, and even violence, they suffer,” says Cameron. “I want Britain to be a global beacon for reform.”

Stephen Fry Attends Celebrity Charity Event For Freddie Mercury's Birthday

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Stephen Fry, Fearne Cotton and Matt Lucas were some of the stars who turned out at a charity event in London on Monday to celebrate the 65th birthday of the late great Freddie Mercury.

Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor also attended the event – held at the Savoy Hotel – to raise money for the Mercury Phoenix Trust.

“Freddie would have been 65 this year, and even though physically he is not here, his presence seems more potent than ever,” wrote Queen guitarist Brian May in a special Google Blog. “Freddie made the last person at the back of the furthest stand in a stadium feel that he was connected. He gave people proof that a man could achieve his dreams—made them feel that through him they were overcoming their own shyness, and becoming the powerful figure of their ambitions. And he lived life to the full. He devoured life. He celebrated every minute. And, like a great comet, he left a luminous trail which will sparkle for many a generation to come.”

Be Freddie Mercury For A Day For Charity

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:00:00 +0000

The unique opportunity to invest in some of the most prized Freddie Mercury and Queen related memorabilia presents itself next month as part of the grand plans being made by former band mates Brian May and Roger Taylor and Freddie’s own family to celebrate the late singer’s 65th birthday on September 5th.

George Michael To Honor Elizabeth Taylor At Charity Concert

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:00:00 +0000

George Michael is organizing a charity concert in London to raise money for the Elizabeth Taylor Memorial Fund, an initiative of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

“I have seen how HIV can affect people lives, how it can destroy families and communities,” said George, who had to cancel an appearance at Alicia Keys’ charity Black Ball in London earlier this month due to illness. "The way that the Elton John AIDS Foundation gets help to the people around the world who need it most – often the most marginalized communities – really spurred me on to do something.

“I also really wanted to honor the inspiring efforts that Elizabeth Taylor made – especially in the early years of the epidemic – and to mark her passing this year I am delighted to announce that the Elton John AIDS Foundation will use all the proceeds from this show to create and manage a new fund in her memory – The Elizabeth Taylor Memorial Fund.”

Elton John To Host Annual Celebrity Charity Ball Next Week

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Sir Elton John will once again host his annual White Tie and Tiara Ball at his home in the UK next week to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Thirty years ago this month, a mysterious new illness that seemed to attack the body’s immune system was first diagnosed in the United States. Buoyed by denial, stigma and lack of understanding, HIV spread across the world infecting 60 million people and taking the lives of 30million.

Annie Lennox To Be Awarded Nordoff Robbins Charity Award

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Nordoff Robbins – the charity that harnesses music to reach children and adults whose lives are constrained by illness, disability, trauma or exclusion – has announced that acclaimed musician and campaigner Annie Lennox OBE will be honoured with the prestigious O2 Silver Clef Award at this year’s Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards Lunch.

This star-studded event in aid of music charity Nordoff Robbins, the chosen charity of the music industry, will take place on Friday 1 July at London Hilton, Park Lane. The O2 Silver Clef Award is the most prestigious of the nine awards handed out at the event. It’s given to a British artiste in recognition of their contribution to UK music. Other winners at the 2011 Silver Clef Awards are Tinie Tempah (TAG Design & Interactive: Best Newcomer award) and Alfie Boe (PPL Classical Award). Further award winners will be announced soon.

Annie Lennox joins an illustrious list of artistes who have been honored with the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award including The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne, and last year, Muse.

Celebrity Red Noses Raise Record Amount For Charity

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Comic Relief delivered another spectacular evening of top TV treats in the UK on Friday, as Red Nose Day 2011 entertained the nation while raising an incredible sum of money to help poor and vulnerable people in the UK and Africa. The TV event raised £74,360,207 (US$118 million) – the highest total reached on the night in Red Nose Day’s 23 year history.

“This is more than we ever believed we would raise,” said organizer Richard Curtis. “The generosity of the British public is staggering.”

The TV extravaganza featured appearances by Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney, David Tennant and Susan Boyle.

George Michael To Give Some Comic Relief To Charity

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Long-term Comic Relief supporter and pop legend George Michael is set to release a new single ‘True Faith’ in support of this year’s Red Nose Day.

The pop legend arranged and produced the single which was originally a hit for New Order in 1987, and the writers, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Hague are also giving their royalties to Comic Relief.

“Over the years, George has been the most tremendous supporter of Comic Relief,” said Co-founder and Vice Chairman of Comic Relief, Richard Curtis. "Out of the blue one year he gave us all the cash from the release of ‘As’, his single with Mary J. Blige. Then he did a brilliant Little Britain ‘Lou and Andy’ sketch – which ended with the inevitable insult slung at him – “I don’t like him.” But most excitingly, he’s giving Comic Relief all his royalties from his new single, ‘True Faith’.

Prince To Perform For George Michael's Charity

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Music legend Prince will perform a special celebrity charity concert this weekend to celebrate Super Bowl.

Titled theEvent, the concert on Friday, February 4, is an all-inclusive evening of music and culture with an intimate performance with legendary songwriter, musician, producer, actor and performer Prince, benefiting The Goss-Michael Foundation.

Along with the rare performance by Prince, entertainment will include music from Special Guest Erykah Badu, The Goss-Michael Foundation scholarship winners, guest DJ’s, and a silent auction.

Elton John To Host Celebrity Charity Ball In June

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:00:00 +0000

In July 1999, Sir Elton John and David Furnish opened the doors of their Old Windsor home for the first White Tie & Tiara Ball, and the tradition will continue in 2011 on June 23..

Set amongst 37 acres of rolling English countryside next to Windsor castle, the White Tie & Tiara Ball is a spectacular evening, raising money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Since then, it has become an annual event hosted by Elton and David and one of the premier fundraising events of the UK.

Fans Remember Boyzone Star By Giving To Charity

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Fans of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, who died last week, have donated over $15,000 to a British children’s charity in his memory.

 Gately was a Goodwill Ambassador for Caudwell Children, a charity that focuses on donations to special children for medical treatment, therapy, specialized equipment, and dying wish holidays. Gately’s husband Andrew Cowles had requested that in lieu of flowers, fans could donate to his favourite charity.  

“It’s an amazing gesture for the charity and it sums up Stephen – he always thought of others first,” said charity spokesperson Trudi Beswick. “We’re already up to an amazing amount and hopefully we can buy wheelchairs and equipment and therapy for kids. It’ll be a lovely memory for everybody to remember him by. He was a fantastic goodwill ambassador for us. We really want to give feedback to everyone – to everyone that’s supported us, to Andrew, the family and everyone in Boyzone and thank them by showing them the children we’ve helped in a couple of months time.”

Bid On Signed Books, Photos And Even C3P0 To Support Children With AIDS

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Celeb2nds.com – a website that specializes in celebrity charity auctions – is currently holding an amazing sale of celebrity-signed items for the Children with AIDS (CWAC) charity.

There is a huge amount of books going under the hammer at the site, including titles signed by Ted Turner, Richard Branson, Michael Parkinson, Geri Halliwell, Piers Morgan, Terry Pratchett, Chris Tarrant, Jeffrey Archer, Maeve Binchy, Bernard Cornwall, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Paul Auster and many others.

For autograph hunters who are looking for signed photos, there is a massive selection including pictures signed by Terry Wogan, Moby, Davina McCall, Lorraine Kelly, Tess Daly, David Gower, Rio Ferdinand, Boris Johnson and a particularly revealing signed shot of Danielle Lloyd.

Stars Give Spectacles To Charity

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

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.

Bid Now For Christmas Gifts

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:21:00 +0000

The countdown to Christmas has begun, and celebrities are doing their best to make holiday shopping easy this year. Several charity auctions have already kicked off to raise money for good causes, including one that may be eBay’s largest sale of celebrity items… ever!

The BID 2 BEAT AIDS online auction will open on December 1, World AIDS Day, and will feature over 1000 specially signed items, ranging from posters to iPods. The annual auction will raise money for LIFEbeat, the music industry’s AIDS fundraising and service charity, and in the past has raised up to $175,000.

The array of memorabilia up for sale this year is simply colossal, with perhaps the most interesting items being a series of “Lend a Hand to LIFEbeat” cards that feature the handprints of over 100 celebrities. Stars such as Britney Spears, Jack Black, and Kathy Griffin traced around the outlines of their hands and decorated their artworks for the auction, and the finished products will make a unique addition to any Christmas stocking.

George Michael Loans Lennon's Piano To Virginia Tech

Thu, 31 May 2007 09:32:08 +0000

George Michael has loaned a piano once owned by John Lennon to the Virginia Tech University following the April massacre of 33 students.

The piano, on which Lennon composed the hit song “Imagine”, was bought for £1.45 million ($2.9 million) by George Michael at auction in 2000, where he outbid Robbie Williams and Liam and Noel Gallagher.

After the purchase, Michael had said that he would keep the piano in the UK, but he and partner Kenny Goss are currently touring it around the world promoting peace, according to his representative, Jon Streep.

Tracey and Joan Clean House

Sun, 13 May 2007 12:15:00 +0000

Falling behind with your housework? Do you need a cleaner? One bidder at the charity auction at Christies bid £13,000 (approx $25,500 US) to have Tracey Emin and Joan Rivers come and do some ‘light cleaning’.

The annual Lighthouse Gala Auction raised over £320,000 for the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT). THT is the leading HIV / AIDS and sexual health charity in the UK. It was one of the first charities to be set up in response to the HIV epidemic and has been at the forefront of the fight against HIV and AIDS ever since.

Tracey Emin auctioned a neon sign which says ‘Keep Me Safe’, bought by George Michael’s partner Kenny Goss for £50,000, and a second bespoke neon sold to an anonymous bidder for a further £60,000. Other auctions included having your dog walked by Geri Halliwell, which raised £5,500, and a tour round the set of Coronation Street with Antony Cotton, raising a further £5,000.