Look To The Stars News: Alzheimer's Society

Stars Launch Charity Fun Run In Britain

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0000

British opera singer Russell Watson joined other stars last week to launch this year’s BUPA Great Manchester Charity Run.

The 42-year-old – who underwent a life-saving operation after the discovery of his second brain tumor in October 2007 – is considering taking part in the run, which will take place in May.

“I’m contemplating running at the event,” he said. “It’s going to be in the middle of my UK tour, so if I’m not somewhere down south or too far away I’d really like to do it. Recently I’ve started to get back into my fitness regime again and I’m enjoying it, so I’d like to.”

The event is part of a series of regional fun runs, which will raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Also at the official launch was Gemma Atkinson, Antony Cotton, and former Bond girl Britt Ekland. Ekland watched her mother suffer from Alzheimer’s 14 years ago and is a major supporter of the Society.

“I think it’s important that I can use my experience and my sometimes high profile to do whatever I can for the Alzheimer’s Society and raise funds where necessary,” she said. “To be connected to this year’s Bupa Great Run is a major, major thing for us in the society.”

Coronation Street’s Antony Cotton announced that he would be running the race with his soap star colleague Samia Smith, after been asked by a 13-year-old girl born with her heart back-to-front. The stars will be raising money for Francis House Hospice in Didsbury. Former Hollyoaks actress Gemma Atkinson will run in support of Manchester’s New Children’s Hospital Appeal.

More information about the BUPA Great Charity Runs can be found here.

Terry Pratchett Knighted, Robert Plant Becomes A Commander

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Several of Britain’s most charitable celebrities were honored by the Queen in her New Years Honors List yesterday.

Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to music. Plant reformed the 70s rockers for a one-off gig in London in 2007 to benefit the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund, which provides students with annual scholarships to universities in the U.S, U.K. and Turkey. The organization was established by the late Ahmed Ertegun, co-founder of Atlantic Records.

“During the Zeppelin years, Ahmed Ertegun was a major foundation of solidarity and accord,” said Plant, now 60. “This performance stands alone as our tribute to the work and the life of our long-standing friend.”

Also honored by the Queen was Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, who is involved in a number of charities, including Cancer Research UK and Honeypot. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

But the biggest honor went to Fantasy writer Terry Pratchett, who was knighted by Her Majesty. Sir Terry was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2007, and has since donated over a million dollars to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust and has dedicated his life to funding a cure for the disease.

“There are times when phrases such as ‘totally astonished’ just don’t do the job,” he said of his knighthood. “I am of course delighted and honored and, needless to say, flabbergasted.”

The honor has been supported by groups that have benefited from Pratchett’s involvement.

“I would like to congratulate Terry on this fantastic and well-deserved achievement,” said Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society. “Terry is not only a successful author and well-loved public figure; he is also playing a key role in fighting the misunderstanding and stigma surrounding dementia.”

Terry Pratchett Novel Raises Money For Alzheimer's Charity

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A novel signed by best-selling Fantasy writer Terry Pratchett has raised money for a local branch of the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK.

The book was auctioned at the Woodside Lodge residential home in Bransgore, where it raised £760 for the New Forest branch of the Alzheimer’s Society.

“Woodside Lodge are great supporters of the branch and have raised more than £1,200 for us this year,” said David High, manager of the New Forest branch of the society. “We will be using the money to help set up new art and music groups and to fund a fourth outreach worker.”

Terry Pratchett – whose DiscWorld novels have been best-sellers around the world – was diagnosed with a rare form of Alzheimer’s disease in December, 2007. He made a donation of $1 million to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust in March, 2008.

“I am, along with many others, scrabbling to stay ahead long enough to be there when the cure comes along,” said Pratchett. “It is a shock to find out that funding for Alzheimer’s research is just 3% of that to find cancer cures.”

The author has appeared on television and radio to discuss his diagnosis, and is currently working on a documentary series with the BBC that will follow him as he copes with his illness.

“I met Terry at a conference and was delighted when he agreed to sign one of his books, Making Money,” said Woodside manager Natasha Ketchen. “He’s an excellent ambassador for the society and is trying to remove the stigma faced by people with dementia.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, with around 700,000 sufferers in Britain. Although there is no known cure, several organizations provide support. The Alzheimer’s Research Trust is the UK’s leading research charity for dementia, dedicated to funding scientific studies to treat, cure, or prevent Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body disease, and fronto-temporal dementia. They rely completely on donations to fund their research.

Look To The Stars News: Alzheimer's Society

Stars Launch Charity Fun Run In Britain

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