Look To The Stars News: Tony Robinson

Celebrity Paw Prints A Big Winner For Cat Charity

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

The UK’s largest feline welfare charity, Cats Protection, has been overwhelmed by the success of this year’s Celebrity Paws auction, which has raised a staggering £2,473.58 for unwanted cats and kittens in the UK.

This year’s most popular ‘paw prints’ were from singer Alison Goldfrapp, which was sold for £502.00, musical legend Phil Collins, which was sold for £430.00 and Top Gear presenter James May, which was sold for £271.00.

‘Paw prints’ from Peckham pals Sir David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, John Challis and Roger Lloyd Pack, who played Del Boy, Rodney, Boycie and Trigger in the popular sitcom Only Fools and Horses managed to raise £262.00 towards the auction.

When asked why he had chosen to support the charity, actor John Challis said: “I love cats and I have done a lot of work for charities with a similar cause. We actually inherited some feral cats on the farm and we decided to take care of them. They were breeding at the time, so we took them to the vets and found homes for their kittens. We weren’t really cat people before that, but I think that cats have a way of finding you. We have one male cat and one female- they both follow us around all of the time”.

Now in its third year, Cats Protection’s Celebrity Paws auction raises much needed funds for the charity, which helps over 193,000 cats and kittens every year. It is a simple and easy way for celebrities to show their support of the work that the charity does. Celebrities were asked to draw around their hand, decorate it in their own unique way, sign it and send it back to Cats Protection.

The money raised from this year’s auction will go towards building a state-of-the-art homing centre in Ferndown, Bournemouth. The Homing Centre will work alongside the charity’s volunteer-run branches in the area. With 24 homing pens and an on-site retail area for essentials, Ferndown will only offer cats which are ready to go to a new home – cutting out lengthy waiting times for cat owners to take their new pet home. It is hoped the Homing Centre will be open for early 2010.

Kate Bunting, the charity’s PR Manager, said: “We have had an amazing response to Celebrity Paws this year and we are very grateful to our celebrity supporters for contributing their own special works of art. The lucky winners of the ‘paws’ have got a truly one-of-a-kind item, which I hope they will treasure. The money raised from the auction will certainly support the ongoing work that we do and the exciting plans that we have in the pipeline for 2010.”

Other celebrities who took part in the auction included Chrissie Hynde and Tony Robinson.

For more information on the Ferndown Homing Centre Appeal, click here.

Chrissie Hynde And Phil Collins Lead Celebrity Paws Charity Auction

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Rock icon Chrissie Hynde, along with many other stars, is showing her support for unwanted moggies by donating her ‘paw’ print to the UK’s leading feline welfare charity Cats Protection.

Chrissie Hynde, who is best known as front-woman for The Pretenders, is among a long list of celebrities taking part in this year’s Celebrity Paws auction, which will run from 1 October to 10 October. Other supporters include musical legend Phil Collins, Alexei Sayle, Sir David Jason, Sir Jimmy Savile, Richard Wilson, Pam Ferris, John Challis, Tony Robinson, Tony Christie, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Bruce Forsyth CBE, Timmy Mallett, James May, Felicity Kendal, Su Pollard, Danny John-Jules, Sean Hughes, Kim Woodburn, Alison Goldfrapp and Roger Lloyd Pack.

Now in its third year, Cats Protection’s Celebrity Paws raises much needed funds for the charity, which helps around 157,000 cats and kittens every year. Celebrities were asked to draw around their hand, sign it, and style it in their own unique way. The drawings are then auctioned on eBay. Past auctions have raised an excess of £3,000 for the charity.

Kate Bunting, the charity’s PR Manager, said: “We have had an amazing response to Celebrity Paws this year and we are very grateful to our celebrity supporters for contributing their own special works of art. The paw prints are all completely authentic so I hope people will get bidding – it’s a real chance to get your hands on a one-of-kind item whilst supporting the work of the charity.”

Money raised from this year’s auction will go towards building a new Homing Centre in Ferndown, Dorset, which will make it simpler and easier for the public to adopt cats. The new centre will revolutionise the way unwanted cats are rehomed in the UK and support the work of the volunteer-run branches in the region.

Founded as the Cats Protection League in 1927, the charity adopted the name Cats Protection in 1998. Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and helps 193,000 cats and kittens each year through a national network of 253 volunteer-run branches and 29 adoption centres.

For the chance to get your paws on these fantastic works of art, and to find out who else has donated their one-off print to Cats Protection, please visit www.cats.org.uk/celebritypaws

For more information about the auction, or to make a donation to help the charity continue its cat welfare work, please call Cats Protection’s national Helpline on 03000 12 12 12

Mick Jagger Supports Campaign To Save Historic Cinema

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Mick Jagger is throwing his weight behind a campaign to save a historic cinema where the Rolling Stones played in the 1960s.

The EMD cinema in Walthamstow, north-east London, is listed as a Grade II historic building. The building was frequented by Alfred Hitchcock and hosted shows by bands such as the Beatles, The Kinks and The Who.

Sold in 2003, planning permission to keep the theatre open has been denied.

“Cinemas and live venues like the Granada in Walthamstow where the Stones played in the early days, learning our craft on the way, are the lifeblood of our cultural history,” said Jagger. "They helped launched British popular music on to a world stage and should continue to function as places of entertainment and enjoyment.

“It’s heartbreaking to hear about such a beautiful, important historical building and centre of entertainment being lost to the local community.

“I fully support the campaign to keep it open and provide film, music and the arts for generations to come.”

Joining Sir Mick in supporting the campaign is Tony Robinson.

To support the campaign, check out the official Facebook page.

Butterflies Benefit British Wildlife

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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.”

The auction follows a similar auction held five years ago, in which celebrities such as Sean Bean, Joely Richardson, and Sir Paul McCartney painted their favourite orchids for the Trust. The event raised over $60,000, and the proceeds were used to monitor and improve wildlife habitats, plant trees, clean up roadsides, and raise public motivation to support conservation issues.

The items at this year’s event will be sold a few at a time, and each drawing will be available online for a week. As items are sold, new ones will be added. The event will culminate on December 13, with works donated by Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst being auctioned at a Grand Finale at Christie’s Auction House in London.

Other celebrities involved with the event include cricketer Ian Botham, singer Katie Melua, and actor Tony Robinson. A full list of contributors can be seen at www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk, and the auction can be viewed at www.myworld.ebay.co.uk/dorsetwildlifetrust/.

Stars Read Stories for Charity

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:41:12 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Joanna Lumley and Tony Robinson have lent their voice talents to a series of downloadable stories for children. Recordings of the Mr Men and Little Miss books from Roger Hargreaves’ best-selling series benefit the Variety Club, a charity which works with underprivileged children.

Lumley reads Little Miss Sunshine, Robinson reads Mr Tickle, and Wendy Richard tells the story of Little Miss Splendid.

Ben Shephard, Neil Fox and John Simm also tell stories from the beloved series.

Wendy Richard OBE said at her podcast recording: “I was delighted to be asked to read a Little Miss story for the celebrity podcast. It is a great way to raise money for the invaluable work Variety Club does to help underprivileged children have a better quality of life.”

There are seven recordings in all, costing £1.50 ($3) each, or £5 ($10) for the entire set. All of the proceeds go to the charity.

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