Tag Archives: charity

JOE McELDERRY OFFICIALLY OPENS TEENAGE CANCER TRUST UNIT

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JOE McELDERRY OFFICIALLY OPENS TEENAGE CANCER TRUST UNIT IN NEWCASTLE

Teenage Cancer Trust ambassador Joe McElderry officially opened Teenage Cancer Trust’s new state-of-the-art unit at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.

The £220,000 unit opened to patients earlier this year and will provide care for 18 to 24 year olds with cancer from across the North East and Cumbria. It complements the charity’s existing unit at the Great North Children’s hospital for 13-19 year olds. Young people aged 13-24 diagnosed with cancer in the North East now have access to specialist services.

The new unit in Newcastle includes seven inpatient beds and will provide a home from home for many young people and their families. Unlike ‘ordinary’ hospital wards, it has a kitchen, pool table and a recreational area including a digital jukebox and access to media facilities such as the internet, TV and music. The charity has also provided a further en-suite room on Ward 33 for patients who are in isolation after receiving a bone marrow transplant.

The new unit will bring young people together to be treated by teenage cancer experts in an environment tailored to their needs. Designed to feel like a home from home, the walls are bright, each room is individually styled, the furniture is funky and there’s always a place to watch films and surf the net. Combined with specialist nursing staff, the unit has everything to make a young person’s stay in hospital comfortable.

Speaking at the event, Joe said: “Teenage Cancer Trust is an absolutely amazing charity. These units feel like home and really help to boost morale for the young people being treated here. Not only do they look great, but there is a real family atmosphere in the charity and I love that! I’m so proud to have been asked to open this spectacular new unit today and have thoroughly enjoyed looking around and meeting the inspiring young people that are already benefiting from this great service.”

Dave Shaw, Deputy Director of Services at Teenage Cancer Trust, “We are incredibly excited to see the unit up and running and are confident that our patients, their families and unit staff will benefit from the specialist support and care it provides. I would like to say a huge thank you to the Hospital and to everyone who has been involved in supporting Teenage Cancer Trust locally over the last few years.”

The state-of-the-art unit is a result of years of determined fundraising by Teenage Cancer Trust and supporters. Matthew and Hilary Engel lost their 13 year old son Laurie to a rare and aggressive cancer in 2005. Since then the family have raised over £1.1million for Teenage Cancer Trust, and have kindly donated over £160,000 to this new unit in Newcastle. Their tireless fundraising has ensured that young people across the country are treated in an environment suited to their age.

Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for the six young people aged between 13 and 24 diagnosed with cancer every day. We build specialist units within NHS hospitals bringing young people together to be treated by teenage cancer experts in a place designed just for them. We want every young person with cancer to have access to this specialist support, no matter where they live.

Traditionally treated alongside children or elderly patients at the end of their lives, young people can feel extremely isolated during treatment, some never meeting another young person with cancer. Being treated alongside others their own age can make a huge difference to their whole experience.

Teenage Cancer Trust also educates young people and health professionals about cancer to ensure a swift diagnosis and referral to specialist support. Cancer in young people is rare but we want young people to know the common signs and symptoms so they can seek medical advice if they are worried.

Donations are still needed for the upkeep of Teenage Cancer Trust’s unit and to provide services in the region. For more information about Teenage Cancer Trust and how you can get involved, visit www.teenagecancertrust.org

Teenage Cancer Trust’s North East Fundraising Board has pledged to raise £100,000 over the next year to help support teenagers and young adult diagnosed with cancer in the region. All funds raised by the Board will go towards the running costs of both Teenage Cancer Trust units in Newcastle. To kick-start their fundraising, they are holding a Glitz and Glamour ball in October. If you’d like to get involved by sponsoring the event, providing auction prizes or would simply like to find out more please contact Jonathan Wallis by emailing Jonathanwallis@georgefwhite.co.uk

Celebrities visit the ‘Tunnel of Love’ with the British Heart Foundation.

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Celebrities visit the ‘Tunnel of Love’ with the British Heart Foundation…

Fashion and art come together to help mend broken hearts

Last night saw the greatest names from the worlds of fashion, art and music descend on Proud Camden in support of the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) ‘Mending Broken Hearts Appeal’.

The BHF Tunnel of Love party is in its second year and attracted a host of high-profile faces in support of the ground-breaking appeal that aims to give hope to millions of heart patients and their families worldwide. Fashionable guests including Alexa Chung, Daisy Lowe, Laura Bailey, Cara Delevingne, Sir Peter Blake, Katie Hillier, Patrick Grant, Mollie King, Pixie Geldof, Peaches Geldof & Tom Cohen, Sir Harold Tillman, Suki Waterhouse, Alice Temperley, Clara Paget, Miles Kane, Jacqui Ainsley, Gemma Cairney, Lara Bohinc, Little Boots, Tallulah Harlech and Hilary Alexander celebrated the work of the charity at this 1920’s-themed night featuring games, such as the Radley Roulette and performances from Frisky and Mannish and live music sets from the Broken Heart DJ’s .

The evening included auctions of fashion and striking contemporary art from Damien Hirst, Sir Peter Blake, Jim Dine, Cartier, Mulberry, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s Antonio Berardi dress and Stephen Webster which raised thousands of pounds for the charity. Top British Cara Delevingne caused a bidding war during the live auction hosted by Harry Dalmeny of Sotheby’s and eventually went home with a trip to the Maldives with Soneva Fushi.

Guests were also treated to cocktails by La Maison Fontaine Absinthe and Rhum St Barth. Prosecco and wine was kindly provided by Tunnel of Love sponsors Marks & Spencer.

All of the proceeds from the Tunnel of Love party support the BHF’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal.

At the moment, there is no cure for a broken heart. Once your heart muscle is damaged by a heart attack, it can never fully recover. But there is hope. Scientists funded by the BHF are striving to develop the technology to repair damaged heart muscle so that one day we could literally mend broken hearts within a generation. Together, we can mend broken hearts and make medical history.

SEVEN-year-old boy wins £10,000 for charity in rap competition

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SEVEN-year-old boy wins £10,000 for charity in FiNDAPROPERTY.COM rap competition

Celebrities, including Russell Brand and Mick Jagger, tweet support for winning rap

Kent-based children’s hospice chYps has received a £10,000 donation thanks to the rapping efforts of a seven-year-old boy who lost his younger brother to a rare form of cancer.

A total of 67 contestants battled it out in the FindaProperty.com Rap For A Cause competition in which Dartford-based Charlie Saunders and his father Tony Saunders – rapping as “Charlie Chyps and Divvy Dad” – won the contest with more than 6,870 public votes.

The competition, run by property website FindaProperty.com, was held in conjunction with a recent advertising campaign in which a number of characters rapped about their property needs.

The contest was closely fought, with the winner receiving only 1472 more votes than Leeds-based 11-year-old Dylan Broadbent – rapping as “Dylz” – who was representing The Christie Charity which funds projects that fall outside the scope of the NHS.

“Dylz” received huge online support, including over 5401 ‘likes’ on Facebook and, in the closing stages of the competition, a tweet of support from Johnny Marr, former guitarist of The Smiths and the comedian John Bishop. Charlie had some celebrity support of his own, with encouraging tweets from Russell Brand, Mick Jagger and Nadia Sawalha.

Charlie entered the competition to raise funds and awareness for chYps, the Kent-based children’s hospice that looked after his younger brother Oscar during his battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma. By providing homecare, chYps supported the Saunders and allowed them to spend us much time as possible away from hospitals while Oscar was gravely ill. The £10,000 prize is being donated to support chYps’ respite service.

Tracie Dempster – Head of Care, chYps, said: “Winning this £10,000 is absolutely amazing and will support the chYps service in so many ways. Much of our service is funded through charitable donations and core services that each family needs, such as specialist nurses that deliver cancer support and chemotherapy rely heavily on monies from the public.

“This £10,000 will help fund our chYps respite service, which is offered to all families. Just imagine what a difference a trip to the seaside could have on a child at the end of their life with competent staff to look after the child for the whole day. We are so thrilled to have won the money and are so grateful to Tony and Charlie for winning it for us in memory of Oscar.”

Tony Saunders said: “Losing Oscar was an incredibly traumatic experience, but without chYps it would have been a hell of a lot more traumatic.

“I kept saying to Charlie, if we get to number one we’re really lucky, but at least we’re doing it for the right reasons.

“If it wasn’t for chyps and the fact they provided treatment at home, we would have been at the hospital non-stop for 18 months. But instead I was still able to run my business and pay the mortgage, Charlie was still able to have a life and go to school.”

The competition was organised by property website FindaProperty.com, following their national TV advertising campaign featuring a rapping granny, young father, and father to be, who all rap at speed about their changing property needs. The contest ran for three-and-a-half months and contestants were encouraged to upload their own rap version of the advert. Visitors to the site were then able to vote for their favourite.

To see “Charlie Chyps and Divvy Dad” perform their winning rap, please visit rap.findaproperty.com.

Celebrities help WWF go ‘under the hammer’ for tigers

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WWF supporters, Kelly Hoppen, Graeme Le Saux and Jo wood will today help launch a special online auction, raising funds for tiger conservation.

Items ranging from tiger print Jimmy Choo shoes to an eco-gold tiger paw bracelet, exclusively co-designed by Sabine Roemer and Jo Wood, will be available to bid for. The auction began at 10am Friday 1 June and will end at 12pm Friday 10 August 2012. To make your bid you can go to: www.wwf.org.uk/auction4tigers

The auction follows on from WWF’s Year of the Tiger campaign which began in 2010 – the Chinese year of the tiger – and aims to double wild tiger numbers by the next year of the tiger, in 2022.

Auctions items:

• Jimmy Choo Bag

• Jimmy Choo Shoes

• Tiger print signed by Ronnie Wood

• Tiger t-shirt and swimming costume designed by Melissa Odabash

• 18ct tiger necklace by Fifi Bijoux

• Signed Andy Murray t-shirt from Australian Open 2012

• 100cm tiger plush toy donated by Keel Toys

• Kelly Hoppen Design School place – Sept 2012

• Handcrafted bracelet by Sabine Roemer co-designed with Jo wood

• Panda print signed by Sir Peter Scott, WWF’s Founding Chairman

• 12 month WWF tiger adoption pack and Panda Made Me Do It t-shirt

• Tiger print by wildlife photographer Roger Hooper

Heather Sohl, senior species policy officer at WWF-UK said:

“There are now thought to be as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild, and their numbers have fallen by about 95 per cent over the last century. Wild tigers desperately need our support if they are to survive. By taking part in WWF’s online auction you can make a bid and help raise crucial funds to protect them from threats such as poaching and habitat loss. Plus, it’s not every day that you can get yourself a pair of tiger print Jimmy Choo’s and do your bit to help save a species! We really appreciate the support we have received from Kelly, Graeme and Jo, and initiatives like this will go a long way to help WWF’s work to double wild tiger numbers by 2022.”

For more information, or to make a bid, please visit: www.wwf.org.uk/auction4tigers

THE SUIT AMNESTY: PAUL COSTELLOE

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Paul Costelloe is once again proud to be supporting The Suit Amnesty.

For the second year one of Frost Magazine’s favourite designers, Paul Costelloe, has donated suits to the campaign and calls on everyone else to join the businesses across the UK that are doing the same.

A unique scheme to re-gift suits to homeless and disadvantaged job seekers, helping
get them back into work. The Suit Amnesty will be collecting donated suits across
the UK throughout May, with drop-off points spanning a whole host of businesses.
Running for the first time last year, over 2000 suits were collected with 22 different
charities benefiting. Paul Costelloe joined MPs and celebrities to donate to the
worthy cause, including the likes of Danielle and Gary Lineker.

“Presentation really counts when going for a job interview and not owning a suit is a
huge barrier,” says Paul Costelloe. “The Suit Amnesty is an innovative way to re-
gift clothing which will make a big difference to someone needing a helping hand to
get their first step on to the career ladder.”

Benefiting a host of local charities across the UK including, The Connection, Emmaus
and Shelter Trust, the scheme works with charities who run back to work projects,
helping homeless people onto their feet and into work.

“The Suit Amnesty is a fantastic way to recycle unwanted suits to those who can
really benefit from them.” Said Sian Thomas, Marketing Officer at Newcastle charity
The Cyrenians.

Visit www.thesuitamnesty.co.uk for more information.

Walk Ten for Marie Curie Cancer Care this Summer

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Walk 10k for charity in 25 stunning locations, supported by HomeServe

Marie Curie Cancer Care is calling on everyone to ‘Walk Ten’ this summer, to help Marie Curie Nurses provide more free care to people with terminal illnesses in their own homes.

Walk Ten is a series of unique 10k summer evening walks taking place at 25 beautiful locations across the UK, which is sponsored by home emergency insurer HomeServe for a third year. After each walk, there will be fun activities such as fireworks, picnics and live music throughout the evening to celebrate the work of Marie Curie Nurses.

Many of the venues, which include the estates of stately homes, are usually closed to the public in the evening, meaning Walk Ten participants enjoy exclusive access.

Outdoor enthusiast and keen walker Julia Bradbury said:“I’ve had the privilege of taking part in Marie Curie’s Walk Ten and I’d strongly urge others to sign up. Walking in the British countryside is a great passion of mine and the chance to enjoy sunset walks at magnificent venues is truly not to be missed. As well as being a fun event to do with friends and family, it’s great to know that by taking part you’re helping to raise crucial funds to allow Marie Curie Nurses to continue to provide care at home to terminally ill patients day in, day out. The walks end with a celebration of the work of Marie Curie Nurses, making it an even more memorable and special occasion.”

The walks all take place between July and September. Registration is £10 per person (children go free) and everyone is encouraged to raise as much as possible to support Marie Curie Cancer Care. All the funds raised will allow Marie Curie Nurses to provide more hours of care, totally free, for terminally ill people in their own homes and in the charity’s hospices.

To register for your nearest Walk Ten, or for more information, go to www.mariecurie.org.uk/walkten or call 08700 340 040.

This year’s 25 Walk Ten venues are: * New venue for 2012

Chatsworth, Derbyshire*

Stowe House, Buckinghamshire*

Weston Park, Staffordshire*

Sissinghurst Castle, Kent*

Beaulieu, Hampshire

Castle Howard, York

Margam Park, South Wales

Hill of Tarvit, Fife

Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey

Tatton Park, Cheshire

Athelstaneford, East Lothian

Mount Edgcumbe, Cornwall*

Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire

Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh

Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire

Croft Castle, Herefordshire

Croome Park, Worcester*

Dumfries House, Ayrshire

Stormont Estate, Belfast

Boughton House, Northamptonshire

Stourhead, Wiltshire

Gibside, Tyne and Wear*

Belladrum, Inverness

Spread Eagle, West Sussex*

Eastbourne, East Sussex

 

Walk Ten Event

 

Date

 
Chatsworth, Derbyshire

Saturday, 21 July
Stowe House, Buckinghamshire

Friday, 27 July
Weston Park, Staffordshire

Friday, 27 July
Sissinghurst Castle, Kent

Saturday, 28 July
Beaulieu, Hampshire

Saturday, 4 August
Castle Howard, York

Saturday, 4 August
Margam Park, South Wales

Saturday, 4 August
Hill of Tarvit, Fife

Saturday, 4 August
Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey

Saturday, 11 August
Tatton Park, Cheshire

Saturday, 11 August
Athelstaneford, East Lothian

Saturday, 11 August
Mount Edgcumbe, Cornwall

Sunday, 12 August
Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire

Friday, 17 August
Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh

Friday, 17 August
Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire

Saturday, 18 August
Croft Castle, Herefordshire

Saturday, 18 August
Croome Park, Worcester

Saturday, 25 August
Dumfries House, Ayrshire

Saturday, 25 August
Stormont Estate, Belfast

Friday, 31 August
Boughton House, Northamptonshire

Saturday, 1 September
Stourhead, Wiltshire

Saturday, 1 September
Gibside, Tyne and Wear

Saturday, 1 September
Belladrum, Inverness

Saturday, 1 September
Spread Eagle, West Sussex

Sunday, 2 September
Eastbourne, East Sussex

Saturday, 8 September


Add a touch of vintage to your ready-to-wear wardrobe: ShopStyle 1st Event announced.

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Add a touch of vintage to your ready-to-wear wardrobe

with these top tips from Mrs Jones for SHOPSTYLE.CO.UK

Have you ever fancied adding a touch of vintage glamour to your high street party dress, but then frozen in fear when you face paying for something that smells like it has a history? How much is a fair price? What’s an investment? And what’s a mistake?

To mark the launch of ShopStyle.co.uk’s vintage styling evening with Mary’s Living & Giving (the charity shops set up by Mary Portas) and in aid of Save the Children, the UK’s leading online fashion shopping site has invited celebrity stylist Mrs Jones (clients include Rihanna, Goldfrapp and Paloma Faith) to give her top vintage shopping tips.

Mrs Jones for ShopStyle.co.uk says vintage clothes shopping can be fun but warns of the pitfalls. “Check fabrics carefully as the smallest hole will enlarge before you know it. I bought a silk dress for a video thinking I could repair it to last forever. The garment was in tatters by the time the shoot was over”.

Mrs Jones tips for vintage shopping:

Where to Shop

· The best places to get a vintage bargain are normally charity shops and boot sales. Not only are you finding some great items when shopping at a charity shop, but you’ll also be aiding those in need.

· Vintage clothing stores can be found in most major cities. They have some beautiful collections but can be pricey. This is good for people who want the vintage look but don’t want to do the searching.

· Auction web sites are great for vintage shopping. Be careful you don’t get carried away on bidding, stick to your maximum limit otherwise it’s not a bargain. Look out for bad pictures (some purposely upside down). Be sure to read the garment details. Some items look great in an image but if the fabric is synthetic polyester (unless you’re going for the 70s look), you may be disappointed when it arrives.

· Vintage fairs and festivals are becoming popular throughout the UK. You’ll find experts in vintage clothing selling their wares and whilst some pieces may be expensive, many vendors also have bargains.

How to Shop

· Don’t be put off by smells. Some bits can have a whiff of mothballs or smell a bit musty.
These can easily be removed with a trip to the dry cleaners. Although, and it is not very pleasing, body odor left on garments is one of the most difficult smells to get rid of, even with dry cleaning.

· Some old clothes and accessories such as handbags can look beautiful and very tempting but be careful as they can just disintegrate especially silk and lace. Give the garment a little test, pull the fabric in both hands and with your thumb nails give it a rub/scratch. If you see the threads of the fabric move about or crumble, leave it on the rack.

· Make sure you try things on or properly hold up to your body if you don’t like the idea of trying before cleaning. Older clothes are generally a lot smaller as people were smaller than they are now. (eg., a size 12 will usually be a size 10.)

ShopStyle.co.uk will host its first in-store event on 29th March at Mary’s Living & Giving in Notting Hill, London, in aid of Save the Children. With canapés and champagne in hand, guests will enjoy their very own vintage styling tips from Mrs Jones and take part in an amazing fashion raffle. ShopStyle.co.uk’s online style team will also be on hand to help digital fashionistas find out how to bag the best vintage and new fashion online.

WHO: ShopStyle.co.uk and Mary’s Living & Giving Shop

WHAT: Styling tips, champagne and canapés, raffles and fundraising for Save the Children

WHEN: 29th March 2012 from 6pm – 9pm

WHERE: Mary’s Living & Giving Shop (Notting Hill location)

177 Westbourne Grove

London

W11 2SB

Entry to the shopping evening is free, however there will be a small gift for all guests who show up with stylish donations of their pre-loved designer fashion or vintage pieces.

Frost will be there, we hope you will be too.

Calling all football fans! Win a training session with Anton Ferdinand

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Calling all football fans! Win a training session with Anton Ferdinand

A once in a lifetime opportunity is up for grabs for budding footballers and fans of Anton Ferdinand and Queens Park Rangers FC, all in the name of charity.

Premier League footballer Anton Ferdinand is taking time out from his rigorous training schedule to support Billi Mucklow and Cara Kilbey of The Only Way is Essex, who are aiming to raise a massive £10,000 for Samaritans. Anton is offering an hour’s football training session for ten lucky people, to help raise vital funds for the charity that answers more than 5 million calls a year from people who are struggling to cope.

To be in with a chance to win this dream prize, bidders need to take part in an online auction which is open now and will run until midday on Monday 2 April 2012. Place a bid now by visiting http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150786207098 The 5 highest bidders will win the opportunity for them and a friend to attend a training session with Anton which will take place at Lucozade Powerleague Docklands on Wednesday 18 April at 2pm.

Anton said: “I’m really pleased that I am able to offer this prize and support Billi and Cara in their marathon challenge. Samaritans is a fantastic charity that offers 24 hour confidential support to anyone, no matter what the problem. Get bidding, I will make sure this is a training session you will never forget!”

On Sunday 22 April Billi and Cara, from The Only Way is Essex are running the Virgin London Marathon in aid of Samaritans. As well as putting themselves through a punishing training schedule in preparation for the 26.2 mile race, the girls have been busy enlisting their celebrity friends to help them reach their fundraising target.

Billi said: “Massive thanks to Anton for donating this prize and supporting us in our crazy quest!”
Cara continued: “We really believe in the work of Samaritans and hope that the general public get behind us and help us raise as much money as possible so the charity can continue their lifesaving work.”

To help Cara and Billi reach their huge fundraising target, please sponsor them by visiting their Virgin Money Giving page: www.virginmoneygiving.com/BilliandCara