Look To The Stars News: ActionAid

Bianca Jagger Joins Fight For ActionAid

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Environmental campaigner and former wife of Mick Jagger, Bianca Jagger and musician Nitin Sawhney stood alongside tribal activist Sitaram Kulisika of India’s Khondh people at British mining company Vedanta’s AGM late last month to protest against a proposal to open a massive bauxite mine on their spiritual homeland.

The bauxite will be processed into aluminium for use in items such as drinks cans and foil for chocolate bars.

ActionAid has bought a single share for Sitaram so that he can attend the AGM, make his voice heard and speak on behalf of his people.

The Kondh’s future and a pristine eco-system are threatened with extinction by Vedanta’s plans for the open-pit mine. It will destroy a large part of Niyamgiri Mountain in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, the Kondh’s ancestral homeland.

The 8,000-strong Kondh tribe is totally dependent on the mountain for their crops, water and livelihoods. They are strongly opposed to the mine – scheduled to open in September – fearing it will destroy their way of life forever.

The Kondh regard Niyamgiri Mountain and its surrounding forest as sacred and home to their god, Niyam Raja.

Sitaram said: "It is not too late to stop the extinction of my people’s way of life.

“Last year Vedanta directors promised not to mine without our consent. I am here to request all shareholders to honour that promise and save our livelihood and our god.

“We have been living in harmony with this mountain, these forests, these animals for generations. Vedanta has been here for less than 10 years. They cannot tell us what is best for our future.”

ActionAid, which is asking shareholders to oppose the mining, pointed out that the destruction of an equivalent iconic cultural site such as Stonehenge would not be tolerated in the UK.

Meredith Alexander, ActionAid’s head of Trade and Corporates said: "The destruction of the Kondh’s homeland is imminent. Today, shareholders have a final chance to refuse to allow their money to be used in this way.

“Shareholders include the Church of England and numerous county councils. They are investing in a mine that will destroy a community’s way of life.”

ActionAid has produced a mock up of the demolition of Stonehenge to help the British public understand what is at stake.

Meredith Alexander concluded: “Just as the public would be horrified to see Stonehenge demolished to make way for mining, ActionAid believes they should be even more troubled by Vedanta’s plans to flatten the heart of the Kondh’s culture, the land they also rely on for their future.”

Irish Singers Unite For Charity

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Two well known Irish singers have teamed up for charity.

Sinead O’Conner and former Moloko vocalist Roisin Murphy have laid down a version of Chaka Khan’s I’m Every Woman for ActionAid, a charity that reaches over 13 million of the poorest and most vulnerable people and helps them fight for and gain their rights to food, shelter, work, education, healthcare and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

“It’s a bit of a depressing version of the song, its more haunting and soulful but I think it represents what it’s about really well,” Murphy told the BBC.

“I felt if we do it in a way that’s dark and somber I thought we could get people talking about it,” said Amanda Ghost, President of Epic Records and producer of the track. “I think it’s really quite sad and mournful. We made this folky recording and I think it’s a real contrast to the original.”

The song is available for free download from ActionAid by clicking here.

Paul McCartney's Guitar Auctioned For ActionAid

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A handmade guitar owned by Sir Paul McCartney was due to go under the hammer for charity in London last night, November 25.

The black acoustic/electric guitar was made especially by Takamine Guitars and has his name inscribed in mother of pearl on the fret board. A pair of the guitars were presented to the former Beatle after a tour 10 years ago.

The guitar was auctioned as part of ActionAid’s Call My Wine Bluff event held to raise money for the charity’s work fighting poverty and injustice worldwide. Based on the classic TV game show, Call my Bluff, special celebrity guests included Emma Thompson, David Mitchell, Sue Perkins, Sean Lock, Hugh Dennis and Tim Brooke-Taylor – all of whom tried to trick guests into believing a story behind the wines they were tasting.

“This was an inspiring night,” said Thompson. “During the credit crunch people came to help those with no credit to crunch. I was proud of them and hopeful that these difficult times are teaching us that we are all connected and we all need to help one another. I really hope we do this event annually. As well as being very moving it raised a lot of cash and was such good fun.”

ActionAid reaches over 13 million of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world and helps them fight for and gain their rights to food, shelter, work, education, and healthcare. Established in 1972, they have been working to fight poverty for over 35 years.

The event raised well over £180,000 (US$360,000) for ActionAid.

Coronation Street Stars Play For Good Causes

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Coronation Street fans are in for a nice surprise – stars from the long-running British soap have just filmed a special celebrity episode of Who Wants to be a Millionaire for charity.

Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz Brown, and Samia Smith, who plays Maria Connor, joined Sally Whittaker (Sally Webster) and Michael Starke (Jerry Morton) for the first episode of the new series of the popular game show, each representing a charity close to their hearts.

“It’s much harder answering the questions in the studio than at home,” said McAlpine, whose father is the chairman of her chosen charity, Mood Swings Network. “You can be absolutely certain of an answer but still have doubts.”

Her partner in the quiz hot seat – Samia Smith – was hoping to hit the jackpot for Cancer Research UK in the first of three ITV1 celebrity charity specials, with Whittaker representing ActionAid and Starke playing for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in Liverpool.

“You only get one chance in the hot seat and it’s even more nerve-wracking when you’re playing for charity,” said McAlpine. “We’ve also had to keep quiet about how much we raised since filming it. There are so many people who need the unique support Mood Swings gives. That was the whole point of going on the program.”

Coronation Street is one of the longest running television shows in Britain, with its first broadcast almost 48 years ago. The Who Wants to be a Millionaire special will screen on ITV on August 16.

Look To The Stars News: ActionAid

Bianca Jagger Joins Fight For ActionAid

Related past articles

Irish Singers Unite For Charity

Related past articles

Paul McCartney's Guitar Auctioned For ActionAid

Related past articles

Coronation Street Stars Play For Good Causes

Related past articles