Look To The Stars News: Thierry Henry

Sport Heroes Donate Art To Charity

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Sir Alex Ferguson, Theo Walcott, Thierry Henry, Joe Calzaghe and Shane Warne are just some of the sporting heroes whose artwork will be on display at the Catto Gallery in Hampstead from September 25 to 27 in aid of national charity, the Willow Foundation.

The Willow Foundation, set up by Arsenal legend Bob Wilson and his wife Megs, is a national charity that provides special, morale-boosting and memorable days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds.

The Art of Sport is an exhibition of unique artworks created by famous sportsmen using the tricks of their trade to apply paint to canvas with exceptional results. These stunning pieces of conceptual art have been created by stars from the worlds of football, snooker, golf, cricket, motor cycling and boxing and each has been signed by its creator.

Included in the exhibition is artwork by Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie, Theirry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Jens Lehmann, Ricky Hatton and Ronnie O’Sullivan, amongst others. Originals and prints will be for sale with all proceeds to the Willow Foundation. The artwork can also be viewed online at www.willowfoundation.org.uk/artofsport

Charity co-founder, Bob Wilson, said: “The generous support and creativity of this great mix of sports personalities has produced a superb range of artwork which ultimately helps the Willow Foundation to make a difference to the lives of people living with life threatening conditions at a time when they need it most. Sports fans will love Impact Art so come along to the exhibition or take a look at the artwork online.”

Willow Foundation Ambassador and Arsenal striker, Theo Walcott, said: “I am proud to be an ambassador for The Willow Foundation. Having seen the work they do first hand in helping seriously ill young adults I was delighted to get involved with this art exhibition.”

To date the Willow Foundation has provided more than 5,000 special days for people living with cancer, cystic fibrosis, motor neurone disease and muscular dystrophy, amongst other conditions. In 2009, the charity’s 10th anniversary year, Willow will provide almost 1,500 special days compared to just 17 in its first year.

For further information visit www.willowfoundation.org.uk,

Formula 1 Stars Hit The Catwalk For Charity

Tue, 26 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Prior to the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, Formula One drivers took part in a fashion show at the Amber Fashion event to raise funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

This is the second year in a row that Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula One Management CEO Bernie, has unveiled her F1 inspired men’s wear collection ‘FORM’ using the sports’ driver’s as models. Walking the catwalk for charity were Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Mark Webber, Adrian Sutil, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Sebastian Vettel and F1 veteran David Coulthard.

One of last year’s participants, Mark Webber, commented: “Last year my knees were shaking a bit, but now it’s all routine! Could the catwalk be a career for me? No. So far I’ve never been a fashion junkie, but you never know – never say never!”

Jenson Button also returned to the catwalk for the second year in a row: “Whatever you might think, a modeling career was definitely never my ’plan B,” said this years Monaco Grand Prix winner. “I do this here because it is a fun event and it is for a good cause. Hopefully the guests will put their hands in their pockets and get some money out this evening. For us drivers it’s a nice break to do something different.”

The event included a charity auction presented by David Furnish, partner of Sir Elton John, and featured unique ‘money can’t buy’ items such as a ‘Mandarin Oriental Dellis Cay Luxury Experience,’ a unique print of soccer star Thierry Henry, an original hand-signed etching by Henri Matisse, and the ultimate item – dinner for ten with Sir Elton John at his house in Nice.

Guests in attendance included HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, Bernie Ecclestone, Sir Martin Sorrell, Sir Richard Branson, iconic sprinter Michael Johnson, Elizabeth Hurley and her husband Arun Nayar and many others.

Steve Nash To Hold Charity Soccer Showdown

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash is agile with more than a just basketball. The well-known humanitarian is also making a name for himself in the world of soccer, electrifying fans with soccer skills while playing host to some amazing celebrity fundraisers. And this year, the Phoenix Suns guard has several charity soccer games planned to raise awareness and funds for the Steve Nash Foundation.

Nash’s soccer Showdown series includes a charity soccer game in downtown Vancouver on Sept. 19. The match will include appearances by fellow NBA stars, some of soccer’s best players and other celebrities. No ‘official’ date has been set, but Nash spoke about his plans earlier this week.

“We’re trying to bring the world’s best athletes to the street, a really grassroots level, where the fans can reach out and touch them,” he said.

Last year in New York, fans went to great lengths to witness the ‘Showdown in Chinatown’ event where some of world’s biggest sports stars competed. Participants included the NBA’s Baron Davis and FC Barcelona striker and World Cup winner Thierry Henry.

This year, Nash’s Showdown Series will visit Los Angeles and New York as well as Vancouver.

Athletic Champions Pose Naked For AIDS Awareness

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Some of the world’s most beautiful sports stars participated in an amazing black and white nude portrait project by photographers Anderson and Low to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Venus Williams, Terrell Owens, Matt Dawson and Thierry Henry are just a few of the athletic champions who posed for Anderson & Low for the ‘Champions’ exhibit, now on display through March 8, 2009, at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

The exhibit – which took several years to complete – was conceived by the photographers as a way to raise awareness of the global issue of HIV/AIDS.

“Transcending cultural and socioeconomic boundaries the universal appeal of these athletes made them the ideal subjects for this project,” reads the press release. “Their nudity in the portraits is symbolic, illustrating both their physical beauty and prowess alongside their vulnerability and humanity.”

If you’re in London and want to check out the images, admission to the Gallery is free. You can also purchase a copy of the ‘Champions’ book in the gallery gift shop. It contains 138 images of the participating athletes.

For more images and information about the incredible photography of Anderson and Low click here.

Euro Soccer Stars To Come Stateside For Charity Match

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Isra Shah

Arsenal F.C Defender Mikael Silvestre is gathering Soccer’s all-stars in New York for a weekend full of fundraising events from June 11th-14th to benefit his charity, the Schools for Hope Foundation. The culminating event is to be a match versus the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, June 14 at Giant Stadium.

Scoring points for their respective teams won’t be the only goal for these players, however. An ambitious $1,000,000 is the target amount to be raised for new school construction and educational centers around the world.

Soccer (Football) enthusiasts will be pleased to recognize many of the sport’s elite included on the roster. Joining Silvestre on the field will be Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba, Nikolas Anelka, Manuel Alumnia, Emmanuel Addebayor, Frank Lampard, and Ryan Giggs to form what is being billed as “the most unique team ever assembled.”

Silvestre, who also represents France during international play, founded the Schools for Hope Foundation with a mission to build, maintain, and staff schools in impoverished areas of the world, where there is little or no access to educational instruction on the most basic skills: reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. So far, the organization has built two new schools in Africa, and is hoping to obtain financing for additional sites in Laos, South America, and the United States.

In an interview with the New York Times, Silvestre explained why he chose education as his platform for building a better world.

“When my children first started to go to school I realized that education is the basis for a better life for poor children everywhere in the world.”

“I said to myself that I want to act, I want to be involved, with my own money. The focus is not on football at these schools, it is getting…basic skills and professional skills, so the students are able to go out and get a good job.”

Regarding the inaugural event’s location (“It’s magic when you say ‘New York’”), Silvestre adds, “I want to make sure this is an entertaining game, a good show. We want the fans to come back, maybe in two years’ time again.”

Other events planned for the weekend include an auction featuring signed memorabilia and a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden.

To view more on the global crisis of education and what the All Stars are saying about the cause, click here.

To learn more about the All Stars for Hope Weekend and to purchase tickets, visit Allstarsforhope.org.

Steve Nash Brings Soccer Magic To New York

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

While Euro 2008 was reaching its climatic final stages in Europe, American soccer fans enjoyed a match dubbed the Showdown in Chinatown in New York City last night, in which professional football players went head-to-head with NBA stars for charity.

Organized by the Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash, the game featured appearances from Barcelona forward Thierry Henry, Red Bulls midfielder Claudio Reyna, former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler, and NBA players Baron Davis, Jason Kidd, Raja Bell, and Leandro Barbosa.

“We want to play just like we do in basketball,” said the NBA’s Baron Davis before the game. “I know that we can win if we outscore the other team.”

But outscore them they didn’t. The soccer players’ side outclassed the NBA players in all aspects of the game, with Henry teasing his opponents with his usual skills and theatrics, such as juggling the ball for 20 yards at a time or balancing it on his head. The footballers eventually won the 60-minute game, 9-4.

Although the game was free to attend, donations were taken for the Steve Nash Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged children in their health, personal development, education and enjoyment of life.

“Football and my foundation are two of my big passions,” said Nash. “And the chance to bring together guys like Thierry and Baron and Jason and Claudio [was] a lot of fun.”

Stars Gather For Cystic Fibrosis Benefit

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:15:01 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A cold London night was made a little warmer on Thursday, when a host of stars came out to raise money for sufferers of a chronic genetic disease.

The “Liv” Gala and Auction was held on January 31, with 420 guests paying up to $2,500 to attend the black tie event. The evening, which included performances by British comedians David Walliams, Matt Lucas, and Jimmy Carr, rasied over $4 million, with proceeds to be split between the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in England and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in America.

Last minute schedule changes by soccer club Barcelona FC meant that host Thierry Henry was unable to attend, but he thrilled the audience by appearing via live video when his match finished. However, English International players Peter Crouch and John Terry did attend, and they were joined by singer Natalie Imbruglia, photographer Sam Taylor-Wood, and British television hosts Trinny Woodall and Davina McCall. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whose youngest son suffers from cystic fibrosis, also attended the gala.

But the evening’s biggest applause was reserved for Sir Elton John, who received a standing ovation for his performance.

Cystic Fibrosis is one of the world’s most common life-threatening diseases that can be inherited from parents, with over 70,000 sufferers around the globe. It is a debilitating condition that affects internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick and sticky mucus. Sufferers experience difficulties in breathing and digesting food, and the average life expectancy is only 31 years. Money raised from the gala will be used to provide care for sufferers and provide life saving medicines.

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