Look To The Stars News: Prince's Trust

Idris Elba Goes To The Wire For Prince's Trust

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0000

Before Idris Elba became a household name for his role as drug dealer Russell “Stringer” Bell in hit TV series The Wire, his acting career received a kick start from a UK-based charity – and now Elba is giving back to the British charity by filming a motivational documentary for the organization.

 "I grew up around people who have gone through hardship and crime and I knew people who were criminals," said Elba, “My character in The Wire harvests kids who have come out of school and into crime. But there are a lot of talented kids out there who just need a foot in the door.”  

The London-born actor is an anti-crime ambassador for the Prince's Trust, a UK charity set up by British royal Charles, Prince of Wales. The company gave him a $2,400 (£1,500) grant as a teenager, which paid for his place at the National Youth Music Theatre.  

And now, Elba has stepped in front of the camera to film the short documentary which highlights the troubles facing the youths of modern Britain and to launch the ’Prince’s Trust Undiscovered’ campaign, which aims to help young people caught in the recession.

“A lot of the young people I see through my work with the Prince’s Trust have no money or support,” commented Elba “But there is something out there for them, and people willing to help.”

The Princes Trust organization gives practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills such as confidence and motivation to 14 to 30-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. They have helped more than 600,000 young people since 1976 and support 100 more each working day. More than three in four young people Princes Trust helped last year moved into work, education or training.

To find out more about the film, click here.

Status Quo Honored For Charity Work

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Veteran British rockers Status Quo have been honored by the Queen for their services to charity and music.

The band’s two founders – Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi – were awarded OBEs in the Queen’s New Years Honors List.

“To be perfectly honest with all the hard work we have put in over the years I accept it graciously – I do think we deserve it with all that work and what we have done for charity,” said Parfitt. "We’ve worked hard over the years and done a lot for Nordoff Robbins, the Prince's Trust and the Heart Foundation and other charities, so I thought there had been a chance that we may have got something, but I had kind of given up hoping."

Status Quo were one of the many British acts to take part in the recording of Bob Geldof's Band Aid single in 1984 and the Live Aid concert in 1985. In 2008, they asked some of their celebrity friends – including Brian Wilson, Rolf Harris, Alice Cooper, Brian May, Chris Tarrant, Jamie Cullum, and Katie Melua – to create pieces of art to be auctioned for charity, raising over US$158,000 for the Prince’s Trust.

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.

Prince Charles Thanks Celebrities For Charity Support

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince Charles thanked a number of high-profile celebrities for their support of his Prince's Trust this week by holding a special garden party at his Highgrove home near Tetbury, in Gloucestershire.

Along with the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles wined and dined over 100 guests, including Phil Collins – the Trust’s first ambassador – as well as Bryan Adams, Phillip Schofield, Gary Lineker, Sir Ben Kingsley, Jenson Button, Amanda Burton, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jeremy Irons, Joss Stone, Kate Adie, Aleisha Dixon and many others. The celebrity ambassadors were given a tour of the Highgrove estate in the late summer sun before lunching on asparagus and pea risotto followed by summer berries with pannacotta.

“I have been a Prince’s Trust ambassador for going back 20 years and it is has been a real privilege to be able to meet people who have benefited from the scheme and turned their life around,” said Gary Linekar.

The Prince’s Trust gives practical and financial support to help disadvantaged young people aged between 14 and 30 develop workplace skills. The Trust offers support by training, mentoring and giving financial assistance to help disadvantaged young people achieve their potential.

Mark Knopfler To Play For Prince's Trust

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Guitar legend Mark Knopfler is to play a one-off show for charity next month.

The former Dire Straits front man will perform an hour long set with a supporting band of five leading musicians in the intimate setting of The Hurlingham Club in West London on September 9. The concert will benefit the Prince's Trust and will include many of the international hit songs of Dire Straits. In his career Mark has sold in excess of 120 million albums – he is listed in Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and to many aspiring musicians he is the ultimate icon.

The Prince’s Trust was set up by Prince Charles in 1976 to offer support to disadvantaged youth through training, mentoring and financial assistance.

Tickets to the show are selling fast, and are available here.

Michael Jackson's This Is It Film To Be Released

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It has been reported that a film is to be released of the final footage from Michael Jackson's rehearsals for his This Is It concerts, with some of the proceeds to go to charity.

Sony Pictures is in final negotiations to acquire the film – at a price of $60 million – with 90% of the profits to go to the Jackson Estate, which will include a charity to be set up in the King of Pop’s name.

Jackson was a huge supporter of charities in his lifetime, and his family hopes to keep his memory alive with the new charity. The singer often visited underprivileged children and children affected by disasters and in hospitals, and worked with organizations such as the Jane Goodall Institute, the TJ Martell Foundation, the United Negro College Fund, the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children, the Prince's Trust, the Great Ormond Street Hospital, Childhelp USA, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America, Children's Defense Fund, Elizabeth Taylor’s AIDS Foundation and many more.

The film is set for release on October 30.

Stars Come Out For Charity Book Launch In London

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Richard Barker

The Prince's Trust launched Inspired* by music on Thursday, July 9, at Starbucks’ flagship London store.

A-list celebrities from film, TV, music and sport have joined forces for Inspired* by music, a collection of exclusive portraits and personal stories of how one piece of music inspired their lives.

Jane Asher, Sophie Raworth, Jools Holland and IRONIK attended the launch party.

“The book is fantastic; full of beautiful photographs and many, many moving stories!” said Sophie Raworth.

IRONIK commented, “Tonight I’m here to support the Prince’s Trust. The power of music is influencing people. Music is so strong and can influence you in so many positive ways.”

P. Diddy, Kevin Spacey, Mark Ronson and Tony Blair are just some of the other stars in the book, which has already been praised by Stephen Fry as “the inspirational book of the year”.

HRH The Prince of Wales has written a personal foreword for the book and said:

“It seems to me that music is a fascinating phenomenon because, on the one hand, it is a truly universal language that knows no barriers of origin, creed or circumstance, and therefore has the capacity to engage us all.

“On the other, its expression and enjoyment is entirely personal, and so often the memory of a particular piece of music is bound up with an event in our lives.”

Award-winning photographer Cambridge Jones has contributed exclusive portraits of the stars and young people supported by The Prince’s Trust for the book, which is sponsored by Starbucks Coffee Company UK.

Inspired* by music will be sold in Starbucks coffeehouses across the UK and all other good book retailers from 10th July 2009. It is also available to pre-order from www.princes-trust.org.uk/inspired. Starbucks will also donate all profits from the sale of the book, with The Prince’s Trust receiving nearly £8 per book.

The money raised will help hundreds of unemployed young people into work or training with The Prince’s Trust.

Celebrities Inspired By Music For Charity

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A new book in which celebrities share how music has changed their lives is set to raise money for the Prince's Trust.

Inspired By Music features photos and stories from Take That, Al Pacino, Mark Ronson, Sharon Osbourne, Kevin Spacey, Bill Nighy, Bear Grylls, Ben Ainslie, Benedict Cumberbatch, Boris Johnson, Cerys Matthews, Gary Lineker, Gerald Scarfe, Jane Asher, Lemar, Michael Sheen, P. Diddy, Paul Gambaccini, Richard E. Grant, Ozzy Osbourne, Sir George Martin, Tony Blair and many more.

The book features a forward by Prince Charles, and award-winning photographer Cambridge Jones took exclusive portraits for it. Proceeds will go to the Prince’s Trust, which offers support by training, mentoring and financial assistance to help disadvantaged young people achieve their potential.

“[Music] seems to me that music is a fascinating phenomenon because, on the one hand, it is a truly universal language that knows no barriers of origin, creed or circumstance, and therefore has the capacity to engage us all,” said the Prince. “On the other, its expression and enjoyment is entirely personal, and so often the memory of a particular piece of music is bound up with an event in our lives.”

The book goes on sale in the UK on Friday at Starbucks stores and selected bookshops.

Michael Jackson's Charity Legacy

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Michael Jackson, who passed away last week, featured significantly on the pages of Look To The Stars. He was a passionate supporter of charity, and was honored by many different organizations for the work that he did and the compassion that he showed.

As well as writing We Are The World with Lionel Richie and helping to organize the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert in the wake of September 11, Jackson also donated the proceeds from a song to victims of Hurricane Katrina, often donated items to charity auctions, and was to donate some of the proceeds from his upcoming shows in London to charity. He set up a burns unit for children and also established the Heal The World Foundation, whose work has included airlifting 6 tons of supplies to Sarajevo, instituting drug and alcohol abuse education and donating millions of dollars to less fortunate children.

But this is only the tip of the iceberg. A comprehensive timeline of the late singer’s charitable work has been published by Jackson Action. The list includes his work with underprivileged children and children affected by disasters, visits to hospitals, and work with organizations such as the Jane Goodall Institute, the TJ Martell Foundation, the United Negro College Fund, the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children, the Prince's Trust, the Great Ormond Street Hospital, Childhelp USA, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America, Children's Defense Fund, Elizabeth Taylor’s AIDS Foundation and many more. It also details Jackson’s efforts to airlift 60,000 doses of children’s vaccines to Tblisi, Georgia, and his donations to hundreds of charities. To view the timeline, click here.

The charity world has lost a valuable supporter, and Look To The Stars extends our best wishes to Michael Jackson’s family, friends and fans.

Stars For A Cause To Raise Charity Funds Tonight

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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.

And if that is not all, there are also cufflinks from Miley Cyrus and Trace Adkins, and jewelry from many others.

A public preview of the lots will take place between 12pm and 5pm today, at the Bonhams and Butterfields Auction House at 7601 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. The auction will begin at 8pm.

Half of the proceeds of the auction will go to charities chosen by the participating stars, such as the The Art of Elysium, Keep A Child Alive, Red Cross, Elton John AIDS Foundation, UNICEF and many many more. The other half will go to the Prince's Trust, which helps young people develop confidence, motivation and skills to find work.

More information can be found here.

Stars For A Cause On Display

Mon, 04 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A selection of celebrity designed/autographed jewelry, footwear and other unique items will be on display at auction house Bonhams in New Bond Street, London, tomorrow before being auctioned at Bonhams and Butterfields in Los Angeles on May 28.

Half of the proceeds of the auction, organized by Stars For A Cause, will go to charities chosen by the participating stars, such as the The Art of Elysium, Keep A Child Alive, Red Cross, Elton John AIDS Foundation, UNICEF and many many more. The other half will go to the Prince's Trust, which helps young people develop confidence, motivation and skills to find work.

Celebrities taking part in the campaign include Kate Winslet, Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, Ricky Gervais, Charlize Theron, Goldie Hawn, Miley Cyrus, Colin Farrell, Susan Sarandon, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Tom Hanks, Sigourney Weaver and more.

To learn more about this amazing auction, visit the official website.

Idris Elba Becomes Anit-Crime Ambassador

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Idris Elba is giving back to the British charity that helped kick start his acting career by becoming an anti-crime ambassador for the organisation.

The star of The Wire has agreed to become an ambassador for the Prince's Trust, the youth-focused organization that he credits for launching his career after he won a $2,175 grant as a teenager, which paid for his place at the National Youth Music Theatre.

“The underlying issues of The Wire are not a million miles from what British kids are dealing with today,” he said. “The show is recognised for its realistic portrayal of urban life where kids hang around on corners with nothing to do. They are hand-picked by gangsters that offer them quick money for dirty jobs – this is very similar to the gang and drug culture emerging in some of the U.K.’s biggest cities.”

The Prince’s Trust was set up by Prince Charles in 1976 to offer support to disadvantaged young people by training, mentoring and financial assistance to help them achieve their potential.

Stars Come Out For Prince's Trust Spring Ball

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The annual Prince's Trust Spring Ball was held in the UK last night, March 5, and attracted a plethora of stars who wanted to show their support for the charity.

Held at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham, the event raised more than £90,000 for the Prince’s Trust, a charity set up by Prince Charles in 1976 to offer support to disadvantaged youth through training, mentoring and financial assistance.

The evening featured performances by singer Will Young and was attended by stars such as Jerry Hall, Erin O'Connor and Tara Palmer Tomkinson. The crowd was entertained by Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone from Strictly Come Dancing – who danced their amazing Argentine Tango – and enjoyed delicious cocktails and a three-course gourmet meal in the surroundings of magnificent Swarovski crystals.

Also at the event were British stars and Prince’s Trust ambassadors Vernon Kay and Tess Daly.

“It gives young people another chance, those who have been dealt a dodgy hand of cards from being abused as a child, drug addiction, for example, the Prince’s Trust makes them feel that they’re not an anomaly,” said Kay. “Nights like this are how the trust gets its money. These things don’t come cheap, especially in this day and age. Apparently there’s a credit crunch but people are still giving.”

Prince Charles Celebrates 60th By Giving Back

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

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

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.”

Through thousands of Trust community projects, young people have contributed nearly £100 million to local areas across the UK.

During a Royal visit to the Trust last month, Queen Elizabeth said, “[Prince Philip and I] are both enormously proud to have been reminded here today of [Prince Charles’] personal contribution to this remarkable organization.”

Actress Emma Thompson is also impressed with the Prince’s work over the past decades. Unable to attend his birthday in person, Thompson gave interviews to publicly congratulate him. “He’s a remarkable guy who just spends his entire time working to make the world slightly less tricky to be in. Everything he said when he was a young man – that he was ridiculed for by the British press – is all coming to pass. He’s much loved by many, and especially by me.”

“For Prince Philip and me,” said the Queen at Prince Charles’ birthday celebration, “there can be no greater pleasure or comfort than to know that into his care are safely entrusted the guiding principles of public service and duty to others.”

Bryan Adams Plays Prince's Trust Gig

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bryan Adams has played at an auction gala event that raised over £1 million (US$1 million) for the Prince's Trust.

The Prince’s Trust Invest in Futures Gala Dinner and Charity Auction was hosted by Ben Elton at Old Billingsgate, east London, over the weekend, and featured lots such as tea at The Ritz with Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, a flight with The Red Arrows, artworks by Prince Charles, a chance to meet Donatella Versace at Milan Fashion Week, and the opportunity to meet Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole during an X Factor taping.

“It is an honor for me to perform at such an incredible event which raises a huge amount of money for The Prince’s Trust,” said Bryan Adams. “Support from the financial community is more important now than ever and The Prince’s Trust is giving young people the skills and confidence to get into work in this increasingly uncertain global climate.”

Status Quo Rocks The Auction House

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Last week’s special charity auction featuring works from some of Status Quo's celebrity fans was a huge success.

Over US$158,000 was raised for the Prince's Trust in the auction, which featured artworks created by Brian Wilson, Rolf Harris, Alice Cooper, Brian May, Chris Tarrant, Jamie Cullum, Katie Melua, Paul Rogers and 50 other stars. Every artwork represented one of Status Quo’s album or single covers from the last 40 years, with one painting by David Shepherd attracting bids in excess of $26,860.

“It’s marvelous because normally these things can go down a damp squib,” said Quo frontman Francis Rossi. “The fact that we reached GBP100,000 is very nice. The Prince’s Trust is for young people that are not articulate or come from a poor background. Nobody gives them a chance. It’s such an unusual charity. It’s not the kind of charity that most people give to. People are not usually concerned about some young kid from a council estate background.”

Comedians Are Most Amused For Prince Charles

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Robin Williams, John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson lead the line-up of comedic talent that will perform at “We Are Most Amused” next month. The night of comedy will help celebrate Prince Charles' 60th birthday, as well as benefit the Prince's Trust.

Founded by Prince Charles in 1976 (using his severance pay of £7,400 from the Navy), the Prince’s Trust exists to help the UK’s troubled youth through support, training and personal development. With skill development, self confidence and a completed education – and even money for a start up business – young people with hopeless outlooks are now heading toward self chosen goals and achieving their real potential.

“We try to do things differently, to cut through the bureaucracy and the red tape,” said the Prince. “And I believe that approach has paid off.”

It has for most of the youths that pass through the Trust’s doors. Of the 40,000 youths that the Trust supported last year, 73% moved into employment, education or training.

This achievement, though, comes at a high financial price, so the proceeds from We Are Most Amused will be most welcome. The good news is that the tickets for the November 12 show at the New Wimbledon Theatre sold out in one hour, even though the roster is as yet incomplete. But with icons like Williams, Cleese and Atkinson on the docket, there is little doubt as to the quality that both the stand-up and comedy sketch performances will deliver.

Status Quo's Celebrity Friends Help Out

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British rockers Status Quo have asked some of their celebrity fans to create works of art to be auctioned off for charity.

Brian Wilson, Rolf Harris, Alice Cooper, Brian May, Chris Tarrant, Jamie Cullum, Katie Melua, Paul Rogers and 50 other stars have stepped up to the challenge to benefit the Prince's Trust as part of the launch of the band’s new CD box set and double album being released to mark their 40th anniversary.

Eight of the paintings will go under the hammer at London auction house Bonhams on November 5 at a special album launch party, with the rest of the collection being sold via a silent auction accessed through the Prince’s Trust website. Entrance to the auction is invitation only.

Stars Become Brokers For BGC Charity Day

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

BGC will hold its 4th Annual Global Charity Day on Thursday 11th September.

Consistent with its theme, “Working Globally – Giving Locally”, BGC’s offices around the world will raise money for charity as they commemorate September 11 by reaching out to help others.

In New York, London, Paris, Sydney and Hong Kong, celebrities from the worlds of music, stage, screen and sport will join the company’s brokers to help raise money for a number of selected charities. All of BGC’s global revenues generated from the day’s trading will be donated to charity.

Events will take place around the globe, with celebrities becoming stock brokers for a day. In New York, stars such as Tony Sirico, Donald Trump, Steve Buscemi, Regis Philbin, Matthew Modine, Leighton Meester, and Scott Gomez will become traders on Wall Street, while in London, Prince Charles will join Kevin Spacey and Jerry Hall in the City to trade on the markets.

Charities that will benefit from this year’s Charity Day will include: Barnardo's, Breast Cancer Care, Scope, the Jodie Kidd Foundation, the Prince's Trust, Baby Buggy, the Rainbow Trust, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Variety Club, the National Down Syndrome Society, the Valerie Fund, the Wounded Warrior Project, Nordoff Robbins, and many more.

The annual Charity Day has raised over $15 million for charities around the world. For more information about this year’s events, visit the BGC website.

Prince Charles Seeks Charity Opportunities In India

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince Charles entertained noted Indian social worker and actress Shabana Azmi and her husband Javed Akhtar as his guests in London this weekend to discuss ways to resolve urban and health problems in India.

The 59-year-old Heir Apparent – well known for his extensive charity work with the Prince's Trust, the Prince’s Drawing School, the Prince's Regeneration Trust, and the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment – invited the pair to talk about the ways volunteer workers can help people who suffer from poverty and hunger in India, as well as long-term India-Britain relations with regard to charitable causes.

“Prince Charles is planning to extend his charity programs in India and had sought our advice on specific areas where his trust can spend money for long-term benefit of society,” said Azmi, who runs a homeless shelter. “We have decided to recommend three areas – urban problems, water shedding, and universal health access – to Prince Charles to use his charity funds, as these areas need immediate help.”

Azmi and Akhtar have also been invited to meet with Prime Minister Gordon Brown during their visit to the UK.

Ex-Formula One Ace To Drive For Charity

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:55:01 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Formula One fans and racing enthusiasts should head to Croft, England, in July to help change young lives.

Former Formula One driving ace Mark Blundell has confirmed he will attend the Prince's Trust Celebrity Track Day at the Croft Raceway on July 15. The event is the last of three sporting activities – including a clay shoot and a golf tournament – to be held this year as part of ‘The Prince’s Trust Challenge Trophy’, which last year raised a huge $500,000 to support disadvantaged youngsters in the North East of England.

“I was delighted to be invited to take part in what I think is going to be a fantastic track day,” said the ex-F1 driver. “Croft is a great British motor circuit, and is challenging and rewarding in equal measure. I’m really looking forward to what should be a thoroughly entertaining charity fundraiser with an edge.”

Celebrity-led teams will compete in a series of five timed challenges, while driving F1 style single seaters, Porsches, Ferraris and buggies.

“This is not just an action-packed opportunity to have fun and raise pulses – participants will also help to raise vital funds to change the lives of many disadvantaged youngsters who deserve a second chance,” said David Beavis, North East regional director for The Prince’s Trust.

The Prince’s Trust encourages young people to take responsibility for themselves – helping them build the life they choose rather than the one they’ve ended up with. It works with those who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law, and needs to raise around $2 million per week to operate.

More information about the Celebrity Track Day can be found at the Prince’s Trust website.

Stars Honor Inspirational Young People

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:13:10 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Several socially-conscious celebrities joined Prince Charles at a special event on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate young people who have succeeded against the odds.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Spacey, Jenni Falconer, and Richard E. Grant were among the 1,500 people who attended the UK finals of the Celebrate Success Awards in London yesterday, March 18, to recognize the work of young people who have overcome homelessness, drug addiction, and unemployment to achieve business success with the support of the Prince's Trust.

“I am a great admirer of the Prince of Wales,” said Paltrow. “The work he has done through his charity to help young people is quite remarkable”.

The main accolade of the event – the Young Achiever Award – went to 20-year-old Ian Fisher, who beat a heroin and crack addiction to establish a business educating children and prisoners about the dangers of drugs and binge-drinking.

“Ian has shown remarkable will-power and strength of character to overcome drug addiction and prison,” said Paltrow, who presented the award. “I am personally humbled by how such a young man can put his past experiences to good use and help others avoid similar problems.”

Kevin Spacey was also impressed with the inspirational stories shared during the ceremony, and was on hand to present an enterprise award to 29-year-old single mother Claire Hutchinson, who overcame unemployment to establish a recycling business through a low-interest loan and mentoring from the Prince’s Trust.

“Claire’s success just shows how a little support can go a long way,” said Spacey, who also revealed that Hutchinson’s business now employs 25 people and has donated over $500,000 to a local children’s charity.

Band of Brothers actor Damian Lewis presented a community impact award to a team of unemployed young people who revived a Second World War memorial garden in Witton, Birmingham.

“Civilians who died in the World War II heavy bombing were often buried without a permanent tombstone,” said Lewis. “I think the young people from this Prince’s Trust team did an amazing thing, providing a crucial place for relatives to remember their lost ones.”

The Prince’s Trust has helped more than 575,000 young people who are not in education, employment, or training since it was established in 1976. More information about the work that they do can be found at www.princes-trust.org.uk.

London and Austin host GuitarTown for charity

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:12:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sir Paul McCartney is among a group of celebrities who have donated giant guitars to exhibitions in both America and England, to be auctioned off over the next few months.

The exhibitions are part of the Gibson GuitarTown Galas And Auctions being held in London and Austin, and feature both 10-foot-high and regular-sized guitars designed and signed by artists and musicians. The sculptures have been on show in the cities for 10 weeks, and will soon be removed in preparation for the auctions, which will benefit a variety of local charities.

“I just fancied playing a big guitar!” joked Sir Paul, who signed a sculpture designed by cartoonist Rosie Brooks entitled And The Crowd Goes Wild. "I think this one will hopefully catch the imagination of the public and whoever is going to buy it at the auction, and raise money for The Prince's Trust, the Teenage Cancer Trust, and Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy – which are all great charities."

GuitarTown London is an initiative of The Gibson Foundation, a division of Gibson Guitars that is dedicated to improving the quality of life through the support of arts, education, health and welfare, and environmental causes. It follows a similar event held in Nashville in 2005, which raised over $400,000 for local charities, and is coupled with an event currently being held in Austin, Texas. GuitarTown Austin features 65 giant sculptures and showcase guitars, which are currently on display in various locations around the city.

Celebrities such as Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid, Lance Armstrong, and Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines have all contributed their signatures to the artworks, to be auctioned at a special event at the Austin Grand Atrium on October 17. Bidders will have the chance to attend the Gala evening or bid online, with all proceeds going to the Health Alliance For Austin Musicians, the Austin Museum For Art, American Youthworks, and the Austin Children’s Museum.

“This public arts project showcases the enormous talent of both Austin’s visual and musical artists in the community,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO of Gibson Guitars. “I hope Austin GuitarTown strikes a chord in people’s souls.”

The London GuitarTown Gala and Auction will be held on November 8, in the Indigo Room at the O2 Dome, and the sculptures are currently on display at More London in South Bank. Other artists to have contributed to the 61 items include Rod Stewart, Katie Melua, Corinne Bailey Rae, KT Tunstall, the Kaiser Chiefs, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, James Blunt, Cliff Richard, Mark Knopfler, and Roger Waters.

“It seems the electric guitar is here to stay,” said Brian May, guitarist for Queen, who has two works included in the auction. “Gibson GuitarTown London looks set to become a glorious testament to this fact, and will be raising money and awareness for three great charities. I’m proud to endorse its imminent success.”

More information on the exhibitions and auctions can be found at www.londonguitartown.com.

Celebrity Portraits Up For Auction

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 08:25:15 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Autographed portraits of some of Hollywood’s brightest stars are up for auction on the internet this month, as part of the “Stars For A Cause”: charity Gala to be held in September.

George Clooney, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt are just some of the legends who have been immortalized in the works by acclaimed artist, Nicolosi. Painted using acrylic on canvas, these pop-art style portraits are both colorful and dynamic, and have been exhibited in London and Los Angeles, as well as at the Cannes Film Festival and on the cruise liner, the Queen Mary II.

Proceeds from the auction will go to The Prince's Trust, a UK based charity that helps young people overcome barriers by providing training, mentoring, and financial assistance. Joanna Lumley, an ambassador for the Trust, is one of the stars featured in the collection. The Hollywood Museum will also benefit from the auction.

The pictures were personally autographed by the stars during Entertainment Tonight interviews held backstage at events such as the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards, and the 58th Primetime Emmys.

“We are always eager to support the charitable endeavors of celebrities,” said Linda Bell Blue, executive producer for Entertainment Tonight. “So we readily embraced the opportunity to get involved with Stars For A Cause.”

The online auction will run until September 27, when a VIP Gala will be held at The Hollywood Museum. Many of the stars featured in the portraits are expected to attend the event, and the evening will bring bidding on the paintings to a close.
Other celebrities whose portraits are for sale include Angelina Jolie, Alan Alda, Mariska Hargitay, Kyra Sedgwick, Jane Kaczmarek, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Geena Davis, Candice Bergen, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Debra Messing, Forest Whitaker, Kiefer Sutherland, Meryl Streep, Charlie Sheen, Jack Nicholson, Eddie Murphy, Helen Mirren, Penelope Cruz, Daniel Craig, Beyoncé Knowles, and Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen.
Bids start at $500, and can be viewed at www.juliensauctions.com.

Jamie Oliver Gives Recipe to Prince

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:02:17 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has offered the Prince of Wales the use of one of his recipes for charity.

The recently-created gingerbread recipe may become part of Prince Charles' Duchy Originals range of foods, the profits from which go directly to the Prince's Trust charity.

Oliver made the offer at a reception hosted by the prince at Clarence House for the cooks and headteachers of 60 schools. The event aimed to stress the importance of giving pupils healthy meals — the topic of Oliver’s “Jamie’s School Dinners” TV show and associated campaign.

The UK government have pledged to improve school meals following the campaign, and Oliver said, “In a a year or so we will review what’s happened.”

“We will study where the money’s gone. As usual with politics there’s a lot of detail involved. It has captured the public’s imagination and lots of good stuff’s happened.”

"Modfather" Paul Weller Launches Guitar Campaign

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 12:21:00 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Former Jam singer Paul Weller has launched a campaign to build giant guitars for charity.

The Gibson GuitarTown exhibition will build 30 guitar sculptures across London by next summer, ready for 12 weeks of display beginning on 1st June 2007. Each sculpture will be designed and endorsed by famous musicians, including Queen guitarist Brian May.

All 30 Gibson Les Paul guitars will later be auctioned off for The Prince's Trust, Nordoff Robbins and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Speaking about the campaign, Weller said: “I am proud to be associated with the Gibson GuitarTown London campaign as it combines my passion and appreciation for the guitar, whilst raising money and awareness for three very worthy and deserving charities.”

[Update: the website for the campaign is www.londonguitartown.com]

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