Look To The Stars News: Teenage Cancer Trust

Roger Daltrey Launches Arsenal's New Charity Partner

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0000

English football club Arsenal has kicked off their new charity partnership with a little help from a famous rocker.

The Who’s frontman Roger Daltrey joined the club earlier this week at a special event to launch the Teenage Cancer Trust as the club’s new Charity of the Season. The Trust replaces TreeHouse, who reaped the benfits of being their chosen charity last year.

The partnership was launched at the charity’s specialist unit at University College Hospital in Euston, and the club hopes to raise £300,000 (US$600,000) to go towards a new education zone in the hospital.

“It was great to kick-off the partnership today and give the teenagers a chance to meet their idols,” said Daltrey, who is patron of the Trust. “I have been fighting for this cause for many years and I can’t think of a better partnership.”

He was joined at the launch by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, who was also excited at the possibilities the partnership represents.

“We look forward to working with Teenage Cancer Trust this year and raising vital funds to help… teenagers fight cancer,” he said.

The club will hold a series of fundraising events over the course of the upcoming football season, including a designated match day and the Annual Arsenal Charity Ball.

The Who To Donate Concert Proceeds

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Classic rock band The Who will donate all of the proceeds from an upcoming concert to charity.

According to their website, the band’s October 21 show at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan will benefit Detroit charities Gleaners Community Food Bank and Focus: Hope.

“The first gig we ever played in the U.S. was in Detroit and we have always had an affinity with this part of the country,” said singer Roger Daltrey. “"Pete Townshend":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/984-pete-townshend and I are very aware of the problems people are having in Michigan and feel we should give something back for all the support we have had over the last 40 years.”

The Who are well known for their charity work. In the past they have raised almost £3 million (US$6 million) for the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT), which has been used to build specialist cancer units.

“Seventy per cent of young people with cancer still don’t have access to a TCT Unit,” said Daltrey. “I am working with other members of The Who to break through red tape and get specialist cancer wards built for teenagers suffering from this terrible disease. These units are a right, not a privilege. We all know that without teenagers, without their energy and their passion for music, we wouldn’t have rock and roll as we know it. It is our duty to fight for this group and give them a voice within the National Health Service.”

The band also established Double O – a charity focused mainly on drug and alcohol damage, domestic violence, sexual abuse, music education, emergency relief for International disasters, and young people’s prison reform – in 1976.

Tickets for the Michigan concert are available now from Ticketmaster.

Matt Lucas Applauds Arsenal's Charity Efforts

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British comedian Matt Lucas has paid tribute to English football club Arsenal’s efforts to raise money for autism research.

The TreeHouse Trust – a British charity that aims to transform the lives of families affected by autism – was the club’s chosen charity in 2007 and 2008, with over £519,541 (around US$1 million) being raised through a number of initiatives. A large portion of the money will go towards a new school for children with autism.

“Im so proud that Arsenal has been able to raise this amount of money for TreeHouse,” said Lucas, who is best known for his work in British comedy series Little Britain with David Walliams. “Its been a pleasure to see the partnership from beginning to end, being so closely involved and seeing first hand the wonderful work the charity does for autism education. I wish the charity good luck for the opening of its new school.”

The 34-year-old took part in Fantastic Feet earlier this year, an event which involved him creating artwork – with the help of TreeHouse pupils – with his feet. Some of the artworks will be used within the new state-of-the-art school, while others were auctioned at TreeHouse’s charity ball in May and raised over £5,000.

Author Nick Hornby, who was also part of fabulous feet, is also pleased with Arsenal’s fundraising.

“I never thought I would see my son Danny, who is a pupil at TreeHouse, up on the big screens at Emirates Stadium,” he said. “I certainly never thought I would get used to seeing him up there. TreeHouse has changed the lives of all of the children lucky enough to attend the school this year. Arsenal has been a huge part of that.”

Arsenal’s chosen charity for next season will be the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Pete Doherty Inspires Young Cancer Sufferer

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The press sometimes gives celebrities a hard time, concentrating on their problems rather than celebrating the good things that they do. One recent victim has been singer Pete Doherty, who has been quietly helping sick teenagers – such as 16-year-old British schoolboy Dan Squires, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer last November – without any publicity. Doherty not only invited the boy to one of his Babyshambles gigs, but also struck up a friendship with him.

“I only expected a meet-and-greet, but I got my own dressing room, watched the whole gig from the stage, hung out with the band afterwards and then got taken to the after-show party,” said Squires, who suffered a stroke last month and is now confined to a wheelchair. “It was incredible what they did because they didn’t need to do that.”

Squires, who has also met Oasis star Noel Gallagher and The Who’s Roger Daltrey, took gifts to one of Doherty’s gigs last week, and was surprised at the band’s response.

“I took them each a friendship bracelet for what they’ve done for me, and Pete just took off the bracelet he was wearing and gave it to me,” he told Journal Live. “He had also brought a book and signed the inside cover with a special message. It’s just lovely. I couldn’t believe it. I feel very privileged.”

Doherty also dedicated a recent concert to Squires and pledged to help raise more funds for his treatment.

“All of us have just been incredibly inspired by the Squires family’s stoicism and Dan’s bravery,” said the band’s manager, Adrian Hunter. “And [also] how well he is dealing with the card that life has dealt him.”

Doherty also surprised concert-goers at a Teenage Cancer Trust concert two weeks ago, when his band took to the stage unannounced in London. He had designed a pair of sneakers that were auctioned by the charity, and rushed straight to the gig from Sweden.

“Teenage Cancer Trust has seen on a number of occasions how musicians can really have a positive impact on young people going through a hard time,” said a spokesperson for the charity. “Babyshambles have really helped Daniel through this very difficult period and have been such an inspiration to him. We’re grateful to Babyshambles for deciding to donate to us through their guest lists.”

And Daniel hopes to hear more from his new friend.

“Pete and the band have just been absolutely amazing and hopefully I will be able to stay well enough to see them play again,” he said. “They have given me the goal to stay well. They’ve given me hope and something to look forward to.”

Leona Lewis Promotes Sun Safety For Summer

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Singer Leona Lewis has designed a special headscarf to raise funds for a major charity’s new education campaign.

The 23-year-old was made an Ambassador for the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Sunburn campaign – a program to encourage young people to use sunscreen when out in the sun – in May, and has designed an exclusive limited-edition headscarf decorated with butterflies to celebrate her involvement.

The scarves will be available exclusively from British chain “Superdrug”, and cost £2.99 ($6US). They officially go on sale on July 2, but can be pre-ordered from the Superdrug website from today.

Lewis was also recently named – along with Red Hot Chili Peppers singer, Anthony Kiedis – the “Sexiest Vegetarian of 2008” by PETA. The pair beat opposition from Pink, Natalie Imbruglia, Bryan Adams, and others for the honor. She is also due to play at Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday Concert in London this Friday.

Gemma Atkinson Designs Hospital Room

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:32:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British actress Gemma Atkinson has helped design a special room at a hospital in Britain to give young cancer sufferers a place to chill out.

The 23-year-old created the room in association with the Teenage Cancer Trust at Manchester’s Christie Hospital, and hopes the facility will give patients an area where they can escape the confines of their ward.

“Teenage Cancer Trust is a great charity, supporting young people with cancer in Chester and throughout the UK,” she said. “I visited the unit in Manchester recently and I was inspired by the patients I met who all had such zest for life. I was amazed by their positive attitudes, despite going through such a terrible ordeal. I want to do as much as I can to support them.”

The room has a rubber floor, making it easier for wheelchairs to move on, and a magnetic wall to make displaying appointment cards and notes easier and safer. It also features a Playstation and iPod jukebox.

“I’m really pleased with it,” said Atkinson. “Hospital wards are quite dull and boring so I went to Christie’s and asked teenagers there what they want. I wasn’t aware teenagers got cancer, but six are diagnosed with it every day.”

London and Austin host GuitarTown for charity

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:12:01 -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.

Noel Gallagher & The Who Perform For Cancer Charity

Sat, 03 Mar 2007 15:37:16 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

A six-day series of concerts for the Teenage Cancer Trust at London’s Royal Albert Hall will begin on March 26th, boasting Noel Gallagher and The Who among its line-up of stars.

The Who frontman Roger Daltrey has been a long-time patron of the annual event, but his group is appearing this year for the first time since the first event in 2000.

Daltrey announced the roster of performers on the charity’s website, saying, “Over the years these shows have really made a massive difference to the money available to build TCT units in NHS hospitals. They also give our teenagers the moral support to help fight this terrible disease.”

Other bands performing at this year’s concerts include Kasabian, the Kaiser Chiefs, The View and The Coral. Wednesday 28th March will see an evening of comedy in place of music, with Russell Brand and Noel Fielding performing.

More information about the concerts is available at the Teenage Cancer Trust web site.

"Modfather" Paul Weller Launches Guitar Campaign

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 12:21:21 -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]

Glenn Tipton's Guitar On Auction

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 19:38:17 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest has put his trusty Gibson guitar up for auction on eBay. The guitar is autographed and comes with a presentation case and a certificate of authenticity.

All proceeds from the auction go to Tipton’s favourite charity, Teenage Cancer Trust.

2006 Teenage Cancer Trust Performances

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 22:15:24 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Cure and Ricky Gervais will be performing for the annual Teenage Cancer Trust series. A full list of the performances, held in London from March 27th-April 1st, can be found at the Teenage Cancer Trust website.

Look To The Stars News: Teenage Cancer Trust

Roger Daltrey Launches Arsenal's New Charity Partner

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The Who To Donate Concert Proceeds

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Matt Lucas Applauds Arsenal's Charity Efforts

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