Look To The Stars News: Help for Heroes

LTTS Exclusive: Robin Gibb Records With Soldiers For Charity

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Robin Gibb has rerecorded one of his most famous songs with a trio of singing soldiers for charity.

The Bee Gee has just recorded the finishing touches to I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You with “The Soldiers”, a trio made up of Trooper Ryan Idzi, Sergeant Major Gary Chilton and Sergeant Richie Maddocks. The Soldiers’ first album, Coming Home, became a hit on the British charts.

The single – due to be released in October – will once again benefit charities for members of the armed forces. Their first album benefited the Army Benevolent Fund, The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.

Rugby Heroes To Play For Charity At Twickenham

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Some of the greatest rugby players from around the world will line up at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 3 December 2011 for the ‘Heroes Rugby Challenge’.

The match aims to raise a substantial sum of money for Help for Heroes, the charity which provides practical support for wounded service men and women.

Britain's Happy List Honors Those Who Make World A Better Place

Mon, 16 May 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Britain’s Independent on Sunday newspaper has released it’s annual Happy 100 List for 2011, which includes some familiar names for readers of LookToTheStars.org.

The IoS Happy List began in 2008, and lets readers of the paper vote for the people they believe make Britain a better and happier place to live.

Included in this year’s list are:

Prince Harry Walks With The Wounded

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Prince Harry and his team are on route to the North Pole for Walking With The Wounded after delays due to bad weather. The team, including four injured soldiers, aim to be the first amputees to reach the North Pole unsupported and have set a goal to raise £2,000,000.

The group were ready to leave camp on 2nd April for the 25 day trip, traveling 200 miles to the North Pole, but due to bad flying conditions the departure had been delayed for two days. The blog on the Walking With The Wounded website included a message from Prince Harry and Captain Martin, a wounded soldier with a paralyzed right arm, saying that they were leaving at 6pm Monday 4th April.

Captain Martin Hewitt, aged 29, said “getting really excited now and looking forward to getting on with the task at hand and walking to the North Pole”. The 26-year-old Prince added “all the boys are really excited to finally be going; we’ve been sitting around here for far too long now. Blue sky outside here at Svalbard, can’t wait to get on the ice with the boys, shame I will only be able to spend about two and a half days with them, but they are all really excited so keep the support going.”

Prince Harry Wants To Join Injured Soldiers On Charity North Pole Trek

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Prince Harry is keen to join wounded British soldiers on a trek to the North Pole this year.

Four soldiers injured in Afghanistan are planning the trip, with two of them attempting to become the first amputees to walk unaided to the pole.

The expedition – titled Walking With The Wounded, and of which the prince is patron – plans to raise money for Help for Heroes, Skill Force, Blesma and The Warrior Programme.

Robbie Williams Helps Heroes At Charity Concert

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Take That stars Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow reunited on stage for charity in the UK during the weekend.

The pair performed their new single, Shame, in front of 60,000 people – including Prince Harry – at the massive Help for Heroes concert at Twickenham on September 12.

The stars were joined by Tom Jones, James Blunt, Enrique Iglesias, Alexandra Burke, Pixie Lott, Plan B and The Saturdays. The show was hosted by the best of the UK’s comedy talent – John Bishop, Kevin Bridges, Jack Dee, Jason Manford and Michael McIntyre – with a special guest appearance from Bruce Forsyth. Other acts who performed included Katherine Jenkins with Spelbound, Alesha Dixon and The Wanted. The concert was shown on BBC 1 and the coverage was presented by Cat Deeley.

Robbie Williams To Sing With Gary Barlow At Charity Concert

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:30:00 +0000

The Heroes Concert at Twickenham Stadium to benefit Help for Heroes on September 12th keeps getting better.

The concert already has some of the biggest names in music and comedy performing for 60,000 fans at Twickenham. And now Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow have confirmed that they will sing together at the event.

The pair today revealed their new song, ‘Shame’, that will appear on Robbie’s double disc ‘In & Out of Consciousness’ Greatest Hits album and is due for release on October 4th.

More Stars Lend Help For Heroes At Charity Concert

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:00:00 +0000

More stars have been added to the lineup of the Help for Heroes charity concert being headlined by Robbie Williams at Twickenham Stadium on September 12.

Katherine Jenkins, Alesha Dixon, Enrique Iglesias and boy band The Wanted will join the lineup that already features James Blunt, The Saturdays, Pixie Lott and many more.

The show, which will also be broadcast on BBC1, aims to raise money for injured British soldiers.

Status Quo To Give Help To Heroes

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:30:00 +0000

British rockers Status Quo are releasing a special charity single for charity.

The band – who appeared on Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas and were recently awarded OBE’s for their charity work – will release a new version of their song In The Army Now to raise funds for British armed forces charities, such as Help for Heroes.

“We want people to celebrate what they do, say thank you and also support these vital charities,” said Francis Rossi. “It seemed like the right time to do this. This release is intended to show our support for the Allied Forces around the world, but in particular, of course, the British Armed Forces.”

Robbie Williams And Friends To Help Their Heroes For Charity

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Robbie Williams will lead a host of stars at a special celebrity charity concert in September to raise money for injured British soldiers.

The concert – to take place on September 12 at Twickenham Stadium – will benefit Help for Heroes, and will be broadcast on BBC One. Joining the Take That singer will be James Blunt, The Saturdays, Pixie Lott, Bruce Forsyth, Jack Dee, Plan B, Alexandra Burke, Michael McIntyre and James Manford.

“Our boys and girls, both those operating in the remote patrol bases and those recovering from life changing injuries, will hear this concert and know that they are in the forefront of our minds,” said Help For Heroes’ Bryn Parry. “They are not forgotten, wherever they are.”

Celebrity Spitfires A Roaring Success For Charity

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Airfix – the kitset model company – flew into action last week to help to raise money for veteran charity, Help for Heroes, by auctioning off a collection of autographed model Spitfires on eBay.

Piers Morgan, David Jason, Frank Lampard, Al Murray, Dominic Byrne, Hugh Dennis, Mark Radcliffe, Paddy Ashdown, Pete Waterman, Bill Bailey and Linford Christie all took part in the campaign. Each celebrity received an Airfix 1:48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1a and enthusiastically assembled, painted and autographed their signature Spitfires especially for the auction.

Simon Cowell Awarded For Charity Work

Mon, 24 May 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Simon Cowell was honored with Variety – The Children’s Charity’s prestigious Humanitarian Award at the Variety World Conference at the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa on May 23.

Since 1938, Variety International’s Humanitarian Award has annually been awarded to a person who has shown incredible dedication in the support of humankind.

Variety International recognize Simon Cowell has utilized his position in the entertainment industry, in business and his international profile as a fundraising tool to support many charities and individuals around the world and has helped transform many lives of those in need.

Vinnie Jones To Donate Reality Show Money To Charity

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:30:00 +0000

British actor Vinnie Jones will reportedly donate some of his Celebrity Big Brother earnings to charity.

The actor’s 18-year-old son, Aaron, is set to head to Afghanistan as a soldier, and Jones is said to be donating a percentage of his earnings from the reality show to Help for Heroes.

“Aaron’s been in the army for two years now,” said Jones. “But him going to Afghanistan is one of those things you put to the back of your mind.”

Celebrities' Socks Appeal For Charity

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

MandMDirect.com is excited to introduce its limited edition ‘Socks Appeal’ charity sock range in association with Help for Heroes, The Andrew Flintoff Foundation, The Bumblebee Conservation Trust and The White Ribbon Alliance. The campaign is completely not for profit and all proceeds go directly to each charity partner, the perfect gift for Christmas.

Appearing in an exciting pictorial campaign, eight celebrity ambassadors have been styled in their chosen charity socks for Christmas. Help for Heroes is supported by Gemma Atkinson and Calum Best, The Andrew Flintoff Foundation by Freddie Flintoff and Jeff Brazier, The Bumblebee Conservation Trust by Violet Budd and Tamsin Egerton, and The White Ribbon Alliance is supported by Laura Bailey and Lauren Lavern.

LTTS Exclusive - An Interview With Bond

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look To The Stars’ Richard Barker – nominated as Britain’s Most Inspiring Fundraiser and organizer of the Chefs for Heroes event – caught up with a group of celebrities with a cause last week and filed this special interview.

On Friday night I was fortunate enough to spend some time with the four beautiful women who make up the dazzling electric string quartet, Bond. I had asked them to donate a performance to “Chefs for Heroes”, a fundraiser for the British charity Help for Heroes. They graciously accepted my invitation and helped us to raise over one hundred thousand pounds. I cannot begin to thank them enough for making it an unforgettable event.

Bond has been described as the best selling string quartet of all time and consists of Tania Davis (violin), Eos Chater (violin), Elspeth Hanson (5-string violin/viola) and Gay-Yee Westerhoff (cello). They have sold over 4 million records. Their debut album Born was removed from the UK classical chart because it was criticized for sounding too much like pop music. Born would later rise the number one position on 21 different charts around the world. Shine, their second album, went gold in six countries. They have released a third CD, Classified, and are currently in the recording studio recording their new album.

LTTS Exclusive: Chefs For Heroes

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:00:00 +0000

I was recently honoured to be asked to attend a ‘Chefs for Heroes’ champagne and canapé reception. I felt inspired and enormously proud to be part of the project.

Paul Gayler read us a truly moving speech about his son. He felt compelled to help the British Armed Forces after his son Lee was shot in the leg whilst serving with the Territorial Army in Afghanistan. Having cooked for Royalty and pop icons such as Madonna, Mariah Carey and the late Michael Jackson, Paul’s team of the finest chefs will be serving up the most sumptuous menu (using only the finest and freshest ingredients) to London’s glitterati in a bid to raise £250,000 for Help for Heroes.

Lisa Snowdon Completes Charity Parachute Jump

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Model and TV and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon has completed her first parachute jump for charity – with the support of former boyfriend George Clooney.

Snowdon jumped from 13,000 feet to raise money for the Help A London Child scheme and the Shooting Star Hospice earlier this week. Last week, Look To The Stars revealed that George Clooney had donated $19,000 to the initiative.

“What a feeling,” said Snowdon. "When I got to the skydiving centre I was really nervous, it looked so high up. I don’t think I realized how high it was. My nerves were building when we went up in the plane and I felt really sick – it seemed to take forever to get up there. When we got up to 13,000ft the red light went on, then the yellow light which means it’s time to go and I freaked out.

Celebrity Chefs Cook For an Army

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:04:00 +0000

An Army marches on its stomach they say, so it’s entirely appropriate that on the 2nd October, London’s top chefs will be cooking up a five-course feast to raise money for troops wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Chefs for Heroes gala dinner is being spearheaded by The Lanesborough’s chef de cuisine, Paul Gayler, and dished up by an ‘army’ of chefs from the City of London’s top restaurants including Andrew Bennett (Sheraton Park Lane), Gary Klaner (Landmark Hotel), Martyn Nail (Claridges), Paul Bates (Intercontinental, Hyde Park Corner), Simon Young (The Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Knightsbridge) and Matthew Marshall (Chamberlains Events).

They will be joined on the night by many of TV’s favourite chefs who will host a limited number of tables. Imagine exchanging recipes and pleasantries over dinner with Gordon Ramsay, Raymond Blanc or Heston Blumenthal – all of whom are on the guest list! Other celebrity guests include Graham Wellesley, Jeremy Clarkson and Andy McNab.

Prince Charles Wears The Badge Of Heroes

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were out and about in Norfolk for charity earlier this week.

The pair attended the Sandringham Flower Show and were given wristbands and badges by Help for Heroes to wear. The badge is a new initiative created to be worn by police in England and Wales who were barred from wearing the wristband because of a strict dress policy.

Norfolk Chief Constable Ian McPherson said Charles was the first person in the country to receive the badge, which features the colors of the three armed forces and is designed for the use of police officers.

Celebrity-Led Fundraising Campaign Supports Charities In Their Hour Of Need

Fri, 22 May 2009 15:00:00 +0000

How would you like to meet some of your favourite celebs, in the flesh? Are you a fan of Daniel O’Donnell or Tim Henman, maybe Raymond Blanc or Rock Legend Suzi Quatro?

Or, maybe celebrities are not your thing, so how about the ultimate behind the scenes day with the Red Arrows or backstage on GMTV? Perhaps even own one of Paul O’Grady’s iconic Lily Savage dresses or a stunning print signed by Ali and Joe Frazier!

All these and a lot more form part of a very timely and innovative celebrity led fundraising campaign which launches on Thursday evening May 21st to provide hard hit charities with much needed revenue at a time when their donation levels are plummeting.

The Big Bid Raises Cash For Charities

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:30:00 +0000

The Big Bid – one of the biggest celebrity charity auctions to be held in 2009 – is on right now.

For the entire month of May, items from stars such as Bono, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Ricky Gervais, Cliff Richard, Girls Aloud, Eric Clapton, McFly, Pierce Brosnan, Michael Schumacher, Lulu and many more.

The Big Bid kicked off on May 4 with an event that benefited the Mildmay HIV+AIDS Charity based in East London, in which someone paid £4,200 for the chance to meet Sir Cliff Richard. Other charities that will benefit from the auction include Help for Heroes, Amazing Daisy, CLIC Sargent and more.

Daniel Craig Donates Bond Items To Charity Auction

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:00:00 +0000

James Bond star Daniel Craig has donated signed Bond memorabilia to a charity auction designed to raise funds for servicemen and women injured in action.

The auction will take place on February 7 at St John Fisher Catholic School in Harrogate, England, with all proceeds going to Help for Heroes to aid forgotten soldiers injured on active service.

As well as Craig’s items, the auction will also feature unique lots such as a VIP race day at the York Races as well as a three course meal and champagne from Skybet, and a part from a Formula 1 Williams racing car signed by F1 drivers Nico Roseberg and Kazuki Nakajima. There are also concert tickets to see Lemar at Sheffield City Hall, a £200 Azendi jewelry voucher, a print from Yorkshire artist Neil Simone and a stay in Harrogate’s White Hart Hotel.

Andy McNab Fights For Combat Stress

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Author and former SAS soldier Andy McNab has written a column in Britain’s The Telegraph newspaper calling on public support for Combat Stress, the ex-Services mental welfare society.

“With thousands of members of the Armed Forces returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the number of soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is rising dramatically,” wrote McNab, who became a bestselling author after writing Bravo Two Zero in 1993. "I served in the British Army for 18 years: eight as an infantry solider, and 10 in the SAS. I have been captured and tortured as a prisoner of war in Iraq. I have been placed against a wall for a mock execution. I have stood beside friends as they have been shot or blown up in the mud. I don’t think I suffer from PTSD, but I am very aware that I probably just got lucky.

“I’m a patron of Help for Heroes. We do a lot to help the physical wellbeing of injured soldiers, and we also work alongside the charity Combat Stress. But we need a lot more help if we are even going to begin to treat this condition properly. Combat Stress says it takes an average of 14 years before someone approaches its charity for help. And they usually do that only when their lives have already fallen apart.”

X Factor Charity Single Stays At The Top

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

A remake of Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero’ by finalists in this year’s X Factor competition has topped the British music charts for the second week in a row.

As reported earlier, the track was recorded to benefit Help for Heroes, which provides support for wounded servicemen and women, and the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

“We’re doing this for one simple reason,” said Simon Cowell, who is behind the single’s release. “These are decent people who need a bit of help, a bit of support and all the proceeds of this record will go to these guys.”

X Factor Stars Top The Charts For Charity

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:30:00 +0000

A remake of Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero’ by finalists in this year’s X Factor competition is expected to become 2008’s fastest-selling single.

The track – which is currently the top seller at iTunes – was recorded to benefit Help for Heroes, which provides support for wounded servicemen and women, and The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.