Kidderminster rock legend Plant boosts charity

A PAINTING of Kidderminster’s rock superstar, Robert Plant, has raised £1,500 for Acorns Children's Hospice.

Painted by Sue Verity, of Tamworth and autographed by the rock legend, the portrait has been snapped up by Led Zeppelin fan, Catharine Zelinski, living in Ontario, Canada.

All of the funds from the sale of the painting have been donated to Acorns.

Ms Verity met Robert Plant at a Wolverhampton Wanderers’ game at Molineux,and got the painting signed.

Speaking about her wish for the painting to help Acorns, she said: “I saw Children in Need raising massive sums and I wanted to do something to help our local children’s hospice, so I created the painting of the Led Zeppelin star.

“Wolves helped me get in touch with Robert at the game and I was thrilled when he signed it. I was so delighted that it raised so much and I know that the money is desperately needed to help Acorns and its Fragile Lives appeal.”

Acorns care for children who have life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, supporting them and their families at every stage.

It is currently offering its services to 600 life-limited children and their families living in the West Midlands, with support of three children’s hospices and in the community.

Earlier this year, Acorns was forced to launch a major new appeal to help see it through the current recession and protect its vital services for years to come.

The Acorns Fragile Lives appeal sees supporters doing all they can to help raise funds and awareness.

Nazama Azmat, Acorns’ Black Country community fund-raiser and Led Zeppelin fan, said: “We’re so excited that such a fantastic musician has given his support to help Acorns Children's Hospice.

“The painting has raised £1,500 to support Acorns’ care, helping us to continue making a big difference to the lives of local children and their families.”

To find out more about Acorns and the Fragile Lives appeal, visit www.acorns.org.uk

To make an instant donation, call 01564 825000.

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Roy launches 2010 calendar for charity

 IT might seem a touch premature, but writer Roy Millar wants to be out of the traps first.

That’s why his 2010 calendar covering rural Worcestershire is in the shops now.

“We have to beat the major publishers,” the Malvern man said.

And since Roy’s calendar is being sold to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice, no one will begrudge him a flying start.

The calendar has been compiled by the same team that produced his two books – that’s Roy, who supplies the words, and Evesham artist Barbara Butcher, who has painted 12 watercolours of Worcestershire scenes.

Now comes the calendar and most of the illustrations for it have been drawn from photographs taken by Roy. He said: “Having done two books, we wanted to try something different and, seeing as my health isn’t as good as it was, I didn’t fancy the effort of a lot of detailed research, so we came up with the idea of a calendar.

“I decided on St Richard’s Hospice to benefit from my last book because my brother died in a hospice. It made sense that they benefited from the calendar too.”

The calendar is available from Malvern Link Post Office or EKS newsagents in Albert Park Road, Malvern, or by calling Roy on 01684 8892170. Pubs Calendar 2010 costs £5.95.

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"Oprah" Interview With the McCanns to Air in the UK

LONDON, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Kate and Gerry McCann's interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is to be screened in the UK, a day after airing in America, NBC Universal Global Networks announced today.

Diva TV, which transmits "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in the UK, will broadcast the McCann's first US interview on Tuesday 5th May at 8pm. Viewers will see a digitally created photo that shows how Madeleine might look today, aged five.

The McCanns will talk to Oprah about the two-year hunt for their missing daughter, whilst the show's cameras go inside their home, spending the day with them and their 4-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.

"The more people able to see Madeleine's image as she would look now the better," said Jon Farrar, Programming Director for NBC Universal Global Networks (UK), which owns Diva TV.

"By appearing on 'Oprah' the family can reach millions of people in America and, given the show is broadcast in 143 countries including here in the UK, target new audiences around the world. We hope it will lead to new and useful information."

NBC Universal hopes that airing the Oprah interview will prompt new information from the public. The company is working with the UK charity Missing People to facilitate sightings confidentially immediately following the transmission.

Jo Youle, Director of Services at the charity Missing People said, "We very much hope that, by airing Gerry and Kate McCann's interview with Oprah, anyone with that vital sighting will come forward in confidence on Freefone 0500-700-700."

The Oprah Winfrey Show: "Exclusive - The McCanns and the New Search for Madeleine" will be broadcast on Tuesday 5th May at 8pm. Diva TV is available on Sky channel 269 & Virgin channel 164.

Sightings of Madeleine can also be made online at http://www.missingpeople.org.uk/madeleinemccann

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U2 'to donate £8.3 million to charity'

U2 will donate approximately £8.3 million of profits from their upcoming U2360 stadium tour to charity, it has emerged.

The band will be giving away 100% of the money raised from their 'Red Zone' VIP auction ticket sales, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

Around 600 premium tickets are being sold off at auction for the concerts, with bids starting from between €95 (£87) and €1,015.

A U2 spokeswoman said: "All of U2's income raised from the auction of Red Zone tickets will be donated to charity."

Charities believed to be benefiting from the scheme include Global Fund and organisations focusing on Africa.

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Slumdog makers apologise to charity

The makers of Slumdog Millionaire have said that there was no intention to link a real charity to a scene in the film in which a boy has his eyes gouged out.

The Hope Foundation, which works with street children in India, received numerous calls and emails about the scene, in which a minibus with "Hope Orphanage" painted on it collects youngsters from the Mumbai slums.

One of the children has his eyes put out later in the film by unscrupulous criminals so he can make more money begging.

The foundation issued a joint statement with Celador Films, which made Slumdog, saying there was "no connection whatsoever" between the real and fictitious charities.

Paul Smith, the chairman of Celador films, said there was no intention to imply a connection.

The Hope Foundation is an international organisation based in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) which cares for street children in India by providing residential homes, education and healthcare.

The incident comes just four days before Slumdog goes to the Oscars, where it has 10 nominations, including best picture and best director for Danny Boyle.

Boyle has previously defended the film against claims that child actors from the slums who starred in the film were not paid fairly for their work.

"The actors were paid very well. We have not released any figures - either what they were paid or what they will receive when they complete their education because it would make them vulnerable to certain elements, because they are quite large sums of money," he said earlier this month.

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Princess Anne's festive charity

Britain's Princess Anne has visited a festive charity.

The Princess Royal called into the Weston-super-Mare warehouse facility of Operation Christmas Child (OCC), a Christian charity which sends gift-filled shoeboxes from the UK to less-fortunate countries.

Anne watched volunteers prepare a final lorry-load of boxes for dispatch to Belarus, one of 11 countries that will benefit from the programme this year.

The royal visit was to recognise the commitment to the charity by the Nightingale family who have donated units at their Home and Office Storage Company for use by the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse, which runs the annual OCC project for the last three years.

While visiting the warehouse, the princess met Simon Barrington, Executive Director of Samaritan's Purse UK (right), and Geraldine Burgess, Weston-Super-Mare OCC co-coordinator, who introduced her to the volunteers and explained the charity's local role.

The charity distribute over 1million of the boxes to children in need each year.
From

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Mel B Auctions Spice Memorabilia

Auction-goers hunting for lots of celebrity memorabilia are in for a Scary surprise.

Spice Girl Mel B is selling off the contents of her former home in the UK to the highest bidder during a charity fundraiser.

Now based in LA, the 33-year-old has decided that the time has come to part with some of her most cherished items, including her famous leopard print outfit.

The potential collectibles include a motorbike, baby grand piano, furniture and a toaster that still holds a slice of bread. But by far the most sought-after lots will be from Mel's wardrobe. Five Roberto Cavalli outfits from the Spice Girls' recent reunion tour are up for grabs.

Fans will be able to bid for the original jumpsuit worn during the quintet's first ever public outing in Birmingham, as well as some of the more dignified outfits worn during meetings with the Prince of Wales and Nelson Mandela.

All the monies raised will help children's cancer charity Clic Sargent.

The charity has teamed up with bidding network Buy Once Give Twice and online auction site eBay, for the "once-in-a-lifetime" chance to win a piece of Mel B history.

Mel said: "I hope that people have fun bidding on a piece of me.

"As a mother it was important to me to be a part of an organisation that provides clinical, emotional and financial support to children and young people with cancer, and their families. A spokeswoman for the organisers said it was difficult to estimate how much money would be raised but the charity is expecting a lot of interest in the sale.

The online auction is at www.melbsale.com until Sunday, October 26 at 8pm.

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Autographed "SWEENEY TODD" Movie Script signed by Johnny Depp, Tim Burton and more

Never forget. Never forgive. When vengeance turns into a style of life and the purpose of all existence, living becomes a hell. This is a story of an ordinary man. A man of power stole his freedom, destroyed his family, punished him and in sorrow a new man was born. As he had not any other chance, except sailing the empty and desperate life. Welcome to the grave! Brilliant acting, appealing dramaturgy, scared atmosphere and fascinating music dip you in a specific air of feeling. Feeling of awaiting something to happen.

There is Johnny Depp autographed script up for auction on the Charity2Charity website. The Make-A-Wish Foundation UK receives benefit from selling this signed script. Make-A-Wish Foundation makes grants, helps and supports children and people affected with life-threatening illnesses. It is a chance for them to live. So get bidding to win this extremely rare item and make a donation! Is all for you, fans, from Johnny Depp on UK Charity Auction!!!

UPDATE: Auction is complete!

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Harry to join African charity build

Royal soldier Prince Harry is to join servicemen from his regiment working in Africa for a charity he set up to help vulnerable children.

The prince, a lieutenant in the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, will travel to the Kingdom of Lesotho later this summer with military colleagues to help build care facilities and repair infrastructure for projects supported by his organisation.

Harry, 23, launched Sentebale - which means forget-me-not - in memory of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in 2006.

The organisation helps Aids orphans and other vulnerable children in the southern African country by offering community projects financial aid and management support.

The three-week expedition will be led by an officer senior to Harry and the project has also secured a sponsorship deal with car makers Land Rover. The company will provide off-road vehicles to help with transport over the Kingdom's mountainous terrain.

It is normal practice for Army expeditions to seek sponsorship and expeditions are frequently planned by the military to help with personal development and team building.

The trip by members of the Household Cavalry to southern Africa has been planned for some time but it is thought the Prince suggested Sentebale as a beneficiary of Army help.

Harry has returned to his unit in recent weeks after enjoying time off following a tour of duty in Afghanistan cut short in February when a reporting blackout on the deployment was broken.

The Prince has had a long association with Lesotho - a place he first visited during his gap year in 2004 when he met young TB and Aids sufferers.

He established Sentebale with the Kingdom's Prince Seeiso and has made a number of trips back to Africa to receive updates about the charity's progress.

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Canary hero to climb Kilimanjaro

A former schoolmate of ex-Norwich City star Robert Green is joining the goalkeeper in a gruelling climb up Africa's highest mountain to raise money for charity.

Winston Gallagher, 28, was a friend of the former Canary number one at the City of Norwich School 12 years ago, and they have kept in touch since.

So when the West Ham and England goalkeeper was looking for someone to join him on his climb up Mount Kilimanjaro - through which he aims to raise £10,000 for vital humanitarian work - he turned to his childhood pal.

Mr Gallagher, who runs Alco-Call, a Norwich late night alcohol delivery service, said: “Rob has wanted to do something for a charity for a long time. But due to the very limited amount of time he gets off, he has never really had more than three weeks break at a time, and has always needed that time to rest before the next pre-season.

“But this year, with England's failure to qualify for the Euro Championships, he decided he'd take the extra time to get involved with a charity.

“He asked me to help him with the leg work of any project we took on, so I set up a few meetings and we spoke to some different charities before settling with AMREF (the African Medical and Research Foundation), which is the biggest African-based charity.”

The two friends are no strangers to spending time together and four years ago Mr Gallagher visited Greeno during the 2004 Euro championships in Portugal.

He was in America when his mate made his England debut and they have, with partners, been on holiday together to Dubai and Australia.

But neither of them has faced anything as daunting as this before.

Mr Gallagher, from Caernarvon Road, off Earlham Road, Norwich, added: “My mother's just moved to Crete so I will be practising climbing on few gorge walks there. But we know it's going to be hard work. It's not exactly a holiday, but it's worthwhile and for a good cause.”

The pair, who are looking for volunteers to join them on the June 20 climb, will spend three weeks visiting some of the poorest slums in Tanzania and Kenya, and taking part in the charity's health programme, which is using football to pass on life-saving health messages.

Greeno, who made 223 league appearances between the sticks for the Canaries before his 2006 £2m switch to West Ham, said: “I have never been much of a beach person. I'm very proud to be raising much-needed funds for AMREF by climbing Kilimanjaro. AMREF do some great work in Africa.”

To sponsor the team, visit www.justgiving.com/robertgreenkiliclimb .

There is room for 10 people to join them on the climb, but they each need to raise £4000 in sponsorship. If you are up for the challenge, physically fit and can fundraise a minimum of £4,000 between now and June then get in touch with AMREF UK's fundraising team on 020 7269 5520 or email f.larsen@amrefuk.org. Further information is available on www.amref.org/uk

Evening News 24

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Prince Harry is to become the benefactor of charity

Prince Harry has been assigned founder of MapAction and WellChild charities. And this is not his first charitable organizations. He already established charitable fund Sentebale (what means "Forget me not") in Lesotho (southern Africa), in commemoration of his mother, Princess Diana. The mission of Sentebale is to help Aids orphans. Prince says: “I want to continue my mother’s (Diana) work. And Lesotho is the best place for it.” Every day in Lesotho about 70 people die from AIDS.

Prince Harry has been visited Lesotho for several times. “We are going to work here, will start with small projects. “When you return to England – you just live, when you get back to places like these- you understand how lucky you are”, according to Prince Harry words. Charitable fund is supposed to provide long-term support and assistance to new projects. Orphan-asylum and project for joint harvest got more than 1 million Pounds (over 2 million $).

MapAction supplies urgent mapping to aid agencies in the case of natural and humanitarian disasters. MapAction staff worked across the world, including Lesotho, Sri Lanka suffered from tsunami as well as in other countries. In October 2007, MapAction finished its first 50 missions. Prince Harry, the charity's Royal Patron, attended this important event. About 140 guests and members of MapAction got together at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (in London) due to this occasion.

WellChild offers help and nursing care to sick children with chronic-illness living at home and their families, giving useful solutions to various issues through investigation, support and encouragement. They aimed at discovering the ways to prevent the spread of childhood disease, finding the means to cure childhood illness and to advance the treatment and care of sick children.


Prince Harry is the first royal patron for all three charities.
Dr Carl Clowes, the charity president, thanked Prince Harry for his enthusiasm and responsibility towards people, great support and essential contribution.

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Chelsea player backs charity

A TOP African football star has given his support to a York charity's worker's drive to help poverty-stricken children.

Non-stop fundraiser Teba Diatta has claimed another big-name coup in her quest to attract support for her Running For Life charity, which is aiming to raise £100,000 to build an educational resource centre in the Senegalese village where many of her relatives live.

A vigil outside Premier League club Chelsea's training ground saw Ghanaian international Michael Essien - one of Africa's most famous soccer idols - sign a shirt which will now be included in a charity auction.

Teba's tireless efforts have seen her set herself a series of celebrity goals to boost the Running For Life appeal, which included meeting Victoria Beckham in Chicago and returning with a pair of the pop star and fashion icon's DVB jeans. She has also gained backing from former Prime Minister Tony Blair, footballers Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, the Archbishops of York and Canterbury and pop group Girls Aloud.

Explaining how she obtained the Essien shirt, 26-year-old Teba, who works at Millthorpe School in York where pupils have also held fundraising events and have collected around £1,300, said: "I was in London and I just thought why don't I go to Chelsea's training ground?' "I waited outside, and when Michael Essien was leaving and I managed to speak to him, he laughed and thought I was being a bit cheeky, but I explained to him that people like him can make a real difference and he was happy to sign the shirt.

"His team-mate Frank Lampard signed it as well, so it is another really good item to get for the auction. I'm passionate about football - although I support Arsenal rather than Chelsea - and while I don't worship footballers, I'm really grateful for the help they have given.

By Mark Stead from York Press

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie donated £4 million to charity

Hollywood golden couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie donated over $8 million (£4 million) to charity in 2006.
Federal tax filings for the Jolie Pitt Foundation, the couple's charity organisation, have been reported by the Huffington Post.
Fight Club star, Pitt, donated $4,402,317 (£2,219,786) while Tombraider's Jolie donated $4,123,613 (£2,079,267).
The records for 2006 show that the famous acting couple handed out $1 million (£500,000) to Doctors Without Borders and the Global Aids Alliance.
The Namibian Red Cross Programme, the country in which their adopted daughter Shiloh was born, also received a donation of $137,935 (£69,557) from the Jolie Pitt Foundation. And the pair presented $100,000 (£50,000) to the Daniel Pearl Foundation. Jolie played the widow of the US journalist killed in Pakistan, in the film A Mighty Heart.
Pitt and Jolie are well known for their continual charity work, with Jolie working as a UN Goodwill Ambassador around the world.
Pitt has also recently been involved in building new homes in New Orleans, the city destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

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