Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch Cycles For Charity (LOOK TO THE STARS)

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch was among 3,000 cyclists saddling up for The Prince's Trust Palace to Palace bike ride supported by Saudi Aramco on Sunday 14th October.

Benedict Cumberbatch at the Prince's Trust Palace to Palace Bike Ride

Credit/Copyright: www.princes-trust.org.uk

The 45-mile Palace to Palace ride from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle raises vital funds for the work of The Prince’s Trust. Every year, the sell-out event sees participants collectively cycle 135,000 miles between the Royal Palaces.

Prince’s Trust ambassador Benedict, who stars in the hit BBC drama Sherlock, has raised more than £20,000 for The Trust for this year’s event.

He said: "I don’t get the opportunity to cycle much so it was fantastic to take part on such a beautiful route through London. It wasn’t easy cycling 45 miles but it’s worth it for such an important cause and everyone has had a great time.

“The Prince’s Trust is a charity which I am passionate about helping. Young people are our future, and with so many struggling to find work in the UK, I feel it’s vital we do everything we can to make sure all young people have the opportunities to succeed.”

TV presenter Anna Williamson, who took part with her team Anna’s Angels, said: “It was hard work but lots of fun riding through the city. The best thing about Palace to Palace is that it’s not a competition so everyone was really relaxed and the atmosphere was absolutely brilliant.”


Read more: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/9123-sherlocks-benedict-cumberbatch-cycles-for-charity

Benedict Cumberbatch: Palace to Palace - 45 Mile bike ride (yikes) on October 14 to raise money for the Prince's Trust

Benedict Cumberbatch will take part in Palace to Palace, a 45-mile bicycle ride from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, on Oct. 14, 2012, and he has asked his fans to sponsor him. Money raised goes to the Prince’s Trust, which helps the young unemployed.

Someone who made a donation reported on her Tumblr that she had received this message:  “You have been so generous with your pockets, now be generous with a bit more of your time and I promise you it will be worth it. If we go over the target in the next two days I will, tart that i am, share some photos with you of me in training in my fetching cycling gear!”

DONATE HERE AT CUMBERBATCHWEB

Hugh Bonneville: Downton star's high tea auction (AUCKLAND TODAY)

A chance for High Tea with Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville is being auctioned as part of Starship's Spring Clean fundraiser.

Prime and Sky TV have donated the experience to support the annual fundraiser for the Auckland hospital.

The package, which will be listed on Trade Me from September 13-20, includes flights from main centres to Auckland for the 60-minute High Tea with Bonneville on either the 26th, 27th or 28th of September. Transport will also be provided if the lucky winning bidder lives in Auckland.

Bonneville, who is a patron of London children's charity Scene & Heard and international medical relief charity Merlin, was delighted to offer his time in support of the cause.

"I'm truly looking forward to meeting the auction winner and encourage all Kiwis to support Starship's Spring Clean however they can; whether they are interested in High Tea with me or one of the other fantastic "money-can't-buy" auctions that are running as part of this event."


READ MORE http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/whats-on/7677422/Downton-stars-high-tea-auction

Martin Clunes takes four-legged friends to entertain youngsters at Julia’s House (DAILY ECHO)

Madcap actor Martin Clunes and a variety of four-legged friends descended on Julia’s House for a bit of mayhem.

Patron of the charity Martin, who plays irascible Doc Martin on TV, arrived at the Corfe Mullen children’s hospice with members of the Buckham Fair committee.

As well as his diminutive Shetland pony Jacob and his dogs Arthur Colin, James Henry (Jim) and Tina Audrey. The children’s hospice service is the chosen charity for Buckham Fair this year, run by Martin and his wife Philippa at their Beaminster farm, and the team chose to hold a planning meeting at the hospice.


READ MORE:  http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9658919.Star_Martin_Clunes_takes_four_legged_friends_to_entertain_youngsters_at_Julia___s_House/?ref=nt

Helen Mirren Supports Oxfam Big Bra Hunt (LOOK TO THE STARS)

Oxfam has revealed that British women are guilty of hoarding nearly £1.2 billion worth of bras that they don’t wear, and is launching the ‘Big Bra Hunt’, appealing to women up and down the country to dig deep into their drawers and donate their forgotten bras to the charity.

Research by the charity found that the average British woman has nine bras in her collection and spends around £16 per item but then leaves three of these languishing unused in her drawers. With many of those surveyed confessing that they didn’t know what to do with their unwanted bras, the new campaign – supported by Helen Mirren, Zoe Ball and Miquita Oliver – aims to collect one million bras over the month of April 2012.

Many of these bras will be sold in Oxfam’s UK high street shops to raise money for the charity’s work worldwide. Others will be sent to Frip Ethique (meaning ‘ethical second hand clothing’), a unique project run by Oxfam in Senegal, that sorts and trades unsold second hand clothes from Oxfam shops and provides essential employment for disadvantaged women in the area.

Bras are complex to manufacture so very few developing countries have the facilities to make their own. Therefore bras are one of the most desirable items in West African second hand clothing markets and make the most money for Frip Ethique. Some of the profits go towards Oxfam’s work in Senegal, the rest are reinvested into the business.


READ MORE:  http://www.looktothestars.org/news/8141-helen-mirren-supports-oxfam-big-bra-hunt

J.K. Rowling's charity giving knocks her off Forbes' billionaires list (MOTHER NATURE NETWORK)

Author of the 'Harry Potter' series is no longer in the billionaires' club — thanks to simply being an incredible person.

The woman who weaved together the magical world of Harry Potter (netting her an estimated $1.6 million every day), is no longer a part of the billionaires' club. Forbes magazine, which last year recognized J.K. Rowling as the world's first female billionaire novelist, released an updated version of its World's Billionaires list last week with the 46-year-old notably absent.

It's not that the world is no longer is love with all-things Harry Potter (the brand itself is estimated to be worth more than $15 billion), but rather Rowling's charitable giving and taxes that have knocked her back into the millionaires' club. "New information about Rowlings' estimated $160 million in charitable giving combined with Britain's high tax rates bumped the 'Harry Potter' scribe from our list this year," stated Forbes.

Naturally, none of this likely bothers Rowling, who from the beginning has made giving back a priority for her wealth. “You have a moral responsibility when you’ve been given far more than you need, to do wise things with it and give intelligently," she said in a past interview.


READ MORE:  http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/blogs/jk-rowlings-charity-giving-knocks-her-off-forbes-billionaires-list

Downton Abbey to host 10km run (Grantham Journal)

TV's Downton Abbey to host 10km run

Published on Tuesday 7 February 2012 13:17

The castle which doubles up as Downton Abbey in the award-winning TV series of the same name is to host a fundraising event which will be attempted by a family from Hertfordshire.

Runners will be able to race around the grounds of Highclere Castle, in Newbury, Berkshire, which have been made famous by the ITV series, in aid of Parkinson's UK. 

The charity works to support the 127,000 people in the UK who are living with Parkinson's while also researching the disease with the hope of finding a cure.

Clare Rogers, 41, from Shepreth, Hertfordshire will be running the 10k with her husband Mike, 43, her four sisters and brother in memory of her father, Tim Savin, who had Parkinson's. Tim passed away last year at the age of 81.

Clare said: "My family and I wanted to get involved with Run Highclere to raise funds to help find a cure for Parkinson's. Some of us are novices, and others are most established runners. We are all running in memory of Dad."

Tim's 22 grandchildren will all be at Run Highclere to cheer on their parents.


For details and to read more:  http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/east-midlands/tv_s_downton_abbey_to_host_10km_run_1_3493192

David Tennant: Dr. Who helps to raise money for charity (Music Rooms)

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By Lockerz

Doctor Who star helps charity to make £50,000

By Anthony Lund on 05/02/2012

David Tennant

1

Centrepoint's annual charity quiz was helped out by David Tennant among others.

Former Doctor Who star, David Tennant was one a number of celebrities who allowed themselves to be auctioned for Centrepoint’s annual charity quiz.

Teams of London business workers were given the chance to bid for help in the showbiz round from either Jorgie Porter, Hugh Grant, David Tennant or Jonathan Ross, with the bids going to the charity.


Read more:  http://www.musicrooms.net/celebrity/45210-doctor-who-star-helps-charity-to-make-50-000.html

Colin Firth: 7th Annual Oxfam Birthday Tribute to Colin Firth

Beautiful post from the Colin Firth facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colin-Firth/108419642519706

Make a donation

Tom Hardy - Tom Hardy Raises $72,000 For Charity (Contact Music)

13 January 2012 01:36


Actor Tom Hardy has helped save a homeless charity in his native U.K. from closure by spearheading a $72,000 (£45,000) fundraising campaign.

The Inception star is a patron of Flack Cambridge, an organisation which needed the cash to survive.
Hardy took on the campaign and urged his fans to donate to the cause - and he's celebrating after smashing the total.

In a post on his fundraising page, he writes, "100% thank you so much. Flack is no longer facing immediate closure. Now their work really begins, Flack still needs our support - if you haven't already donated please do."


http://www.contactmusic.com/news/tom-hardy-raises-72000-for-charity_1283272

Harry Potter actress Imelda Staunton, 55, lives with husband, actor Jim Carter (who plays the butler Mr Carson in Downton Abbey), in London with daughter, Bessie, 18. (Daily Mail)

By Sarah Ewing
Last updated at 9:26 PM on 4th January 2012

Imelda Staunton: The magic ingredients that make my shepherd's pie irresistible

Master chef: Actress Imelda Staunton

SIGNATURE DISH

As a family we're big on comfort food, and my specialty is shepherd's pie, which is done to an old Delia Smith recipe. I was vegetarian for almost 20 years until a few years back when a better selection of organic meat became available.

The thing that makes my shepherd's pie really special is that I add a bit of nutmeg and cinnamon. You don't really taste them in the final result, but it makes the overall dish irresistible.

PAMPERING TREATS
I love everything about Aromatherapy Associates' natural body and skincare range because the founders have a solid background and really know what they're talking about.
My favourite is the sensational bath oil, which I probably use too often because it's so luxurious, but I justify it by saying I only have a small bath because I'm short!

HOBBYBoth Jim and I are avid gardeners (he is head gardener and I am his assistant) and we take a lot of pleasure from seeing our garden flourish. Only torrential rain will keep us inside.

Eighteen years ago we moved to our house in North London which has a big garden. We tried vegetables and herbs but they didn't really work, so now the whole of it is given over to flowers and I love taking cuttings from them for the house.

Comfort food: Imelda adds nutmeg and cinnamon to her shepherd's pies

WINTER WARMER

I'm not a big drinker, but in the winter I do like a sherry with a lump of ice in it. Just the smell of it reminds me of the holidays. I'm an absolutely philistine when it comes to good wines and alcohol. I don't like a particularly sweet sherry or one that's too dry - a medium one is good for me.

 BEAUTY ESSENTIAL

Vaseline is my can't-live-without beauty product and it just goes to show you don't have to spend a mint to get something that delivers.

It has so many uses, from softening cuticles to soothing chapped skin, and it makes a great scrub.

LITERARY LOVE
I first read Wild Swans by Jung Chang about 20 years ago and it's a firm favourite. I knew nothing about 'modern' Communism beforehand, and it eloquently shows what it was like through three generations of women: granny, daughter and granddaughter.

It masterfully combines important historical events like the Cultural Revolution with the personal emotions and struggles of the main characters. I return to it often.

EPIC MOMENT

Over the millennium, my husband Jim, our daughter Bessie and I went to Hemingways’ wonderful hotel at Watamu in Kenya, for a fortnight.

On New Year’s Eve we had a fantastic night with food and dancing by the beach. At about 1.30am, Jim said he was off to bed and Bessie was already asleep.

There was no way I was going to miss the dawn rise on the next 1,000 years, so sat on the beach in my posh frock, watching the sun come up. It was breathtaking.

Paradise: Hemingways' hotel at Watamu in Kenya

SEASIDE ESCAPE
Last year I was starring in Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd at Chichester Festival Theatre for several months. I used to love going down to the beach at West Wittering looking to East Head, at the entrance to the harbour. It was very early in the morning so there were few people about - it felt like it was just me and my wee Cairn terrier cross, Molly.

I was born a Londoner and have never wanted to live anywhere else, but the beauty of that West Sussex area, with the white sand and blue sea, really tempted me.

SCREEN SIREN

I remember watching Bette Davis as a child and I thought she was fascinating. Of course, there were lots of beautiful actresses around at the time, such as Elizabeth Taylor, but Bette Davis wasn't conventionally beautiful and neither was she conventional.

She played feisty characters, and it was her talent that made her so successful. I wanted to emulate her when I grew up.

Heroine: Actress Bette Davis was Imelda's idol growing up

TV FIX

I watched Frozen Planet religiously every week it was on. There's something comforting about David Attenborough because he's dependable and tells it like it is, emphasising content and expertise rather than showmanship, sensationalism and entertainment like a lot of factual programmes do these days. The years of dedication he puts into his programmes is incredible.

Imelda Staunton is a patron of Richard House, London's oldest children's hospice. To donate or find out more, visit richardhouse.org.uk and facebook.com/richardhousech

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2082297/Imelda-Staunton-The-magic-ingredients-make-shepherds-pie-irresistible.html?ito=feeds-newsxml


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2082297/Imelda-Staunton-The-magic-ingredients-make-shepherds-pie-irresistible.html#ixzz1iY1TWp4m

2011 BAFTA AWARDS (Hey U Guys.co.uk)

December 31, 2011 By Jon Lyus  

 

It has been an excellent year for British film, with the big screen playing host to some intriguing debuts from new directors and writers as well as giving some of the country’s finest new actors a chance to shine.

Just over a year since the disbanding of the UK Film Council it is gratifying that the foundation remains for new talent to find its way to an eager public and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts are a key component in the encouragement, nurturing and celebration of this talent.

Though best known for their awards the range of work BAFTA does encompasses all levels of Film, Television and Video Game production and with these industries growing, and arguably with technological advancements making it easier to get started, the next year looks to be better than ever.
If you’ve not already done so do check out the excellent online resource from BAFTA, the BAFTA Guru site, for some excellent video interviews with directors, screenwriters and actors as well as a huge amount of handy information about the work they do and how you can get involved.

If you find yourself staring at a list of resolutions this time tomorrow and top of the list is to get that screenplay finished, or really, actually, for real this time, get that film project off the ground make the Guru site a port of call.

Here’s a short video of the work BAFTA did in 2011 and, providing the Mayans and Roland Emmerich are wrong, 2012 should be a fine year for British cinema. Happy New Year all.

IFRAME Embed for Youtube

Filed Under: News, Trailers & ClipsTagged With: 2011, BAFTA, bafta guru

 

http://www.heyuguys.co.uk/2011/12/31/video-bafta-in-2011/

Hugh Jackman raises $1m for AIDS charity: DIGITAL SPY

 Published Monday, Dec 12 2011, 11:52am EST | By Justin Harp

 

 

© PA Images / Matt Sayles/AP/Press Association Images

H

 

ugh Jackman has raised more than $1m (£640,000) for the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS charity campaign.

The actor has joined many stage stars in auctioning memorabilia from his new one man show Back on Broadway.

He revealed the fundraising milestone on Twitter over the weekend, writing: "2nite at the show we passed the $1million mark 4 funds raised for #broadwaycares!!! Thx 2 all who have participated (sic)"

Jackman has brought in the most money of any Broadway performer by auctioning shirts he's worn during his show.

Daniel Radcliffe also was a top fundraiser during his tenure in How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying by generating $325,935 (£208,598).

The Broadway industry in total has raised over $4.9m (£3.1m) to help those in need since beginning the charity drive.

Jackman has been starring in Back on Broadway since October, but will close the show on January 1, 2012.

The X-Men actor recently joked that his young daughter Ava thinks his stage show is boring.

> Hugh Jackman's wife: 'Fans push me out of the way'
> Hugh Jackman losing weight on Broadway show

Watch a clip of Hugh Jackman in Back on Broadway below:

More: Hugh Jackman, Daniel Radcliffe, Celebrity

http://www.digitalspy.com/celebrity/news/a355621/hugh-jackman-raises-usd1m-for-aids-charity.html

Downton Abbey script donated by Lord Julian Fellowes to help Norfolk charity fundraisers

by Donna Semmens Tuesday, December 6, 2011
1:00 PM

 

 

ME charity to benefit from donation to trio who have raised £24,000 for research.

The titled author of top TV show Downton Abbey has donated a script to raise money in a charity auction run by a Dersingham fundraiser.

Lord Julian Fellowes has given the script to Helen Buckenham who, along with her family, has raised £24,000 for Action for ME - a condition she has suffered from for 20 years.

The script is from the first episode of the second series of the popular drama and will be going up for auction on December 22 via the Ebay website.

Lord Fellowes of West Stafford also sent a signed photograph and note with the script wishing the fundraisers every success with their auction.

Mrs Buckenham, along with her sister Liz Smith, of Mundesley, and mother Anne Reynolds, of Dersingham, has been holding charity auctions and sales for around 17 years and the trio contact celebrities and popular shows to ask for donations.

Over the years the responses have included a large signed photograph from Nelson Mandela; a T-shirt worn by Michael Crawford during rehearsals for Phantom of the Opera and various scripts, mementos and photos from a range of stars.

A pantomime script starring Paul Michael Glaser, of Starsky and Hutch fame, has so far made the most with £1,500 raised from one auction.

“People have been really generous, you just never know what you are going to receive -if anything,” said Mrs Buckenham, 58.

Currently the trio are selling signed photos from the BBC’s popular Strictly Come Dancing programme and they change the items every ten days.

“We have sent things all over the world, China, the USA and Australia - the Ebay site means everyone gets the chance to bid - it has been amazing,” said Mrs Buckenham.

The fundraisers have also held charity clothes shows but due to Mrs Buckenham’s fluctuating health, they stick to internet auctions now to continue their efforts.

Actor and singer Michael Xavier, Lord David Puttnam, Lady Elizabeth Anson and Samantha Bond are patrons of the charity and 80pc of the proceeds go towards research into the childhood condition which affects around 25,000 youngsters. The remainder goes towards research into ME affecting adults - up to 250,000 people are believed to live with the condition.

To bid in the charity auction, go to Ebay, click ‘community’ and search for the seller identification 263liz.

ME, or myalgic encephalomyelitis/ encephalopathy is also known as chronic fatigue syndrome and for further information see http://www.afme.org.uk/

EDP

Martin Clunes donates memorabilia to raise money for his on-screen son on Doc Martin

Nov 27 2011 James Davies, people.co.uk

DOC Martin star Martin Clunes has donated memorabilia from the show to help buy equipment for his sick on-screen son.

Six-month-old Alfie Cane, who plays newborn James Henry, is unable to support his own head due to a rare condition.

As we revealed last week, his parents Tilly, 31, and Adrian, 40, were told he needed a special helmet - but would need £2,000.

When he heard of their plight, Clunes, 49, who plays grumpy GP Dr Martin Ellingham, sent them a suit he wore in the show, plus a signed script and photos.

Tilly, from Truro, Cornwall, said: "I think he's forgiven Alfie for the times he was sick on him. He's a lovely man. We're so grateful for his generosity."

Last week Alfie went for a fitting for his helmet after a local fundraising campaign had raised £1,400.

Daily Record

Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin star Martin Clunes opens charity Christmas Fair in Cirencester

 

4:30pm Thursday 24th November 2011

• By Laura Shack »

ACTOR Martin Clunes appeared at the Corn Hall in Cirencester this week to open a charity Christmas Fair.

 

The Doc Martin star broke from a busy filming schedule in Madagascar to support the fundraising event for HFT, a charity in aid of people with learning disabilities.

Martin, from West Dorset, made his first visit to Cirencester especially for the fair on Tuesday morning and was staggered by the size of crowd that greeted him.

Speaking to the excited packed out hall, he said: “It’s a lovely thing (HFT) do and it’s lovely for you all to come and support them at this Christmas Fair.”

Martin became a patron of the charity formerly known as Home Farm Trust six years ago after he met parents of someone with learning disabilities. The couple explained they were enjoying their first holiday in decades thanks to the charity’s respite service and Martin was keen to pledge his support.
Now celebrating its 25th year, the Christmas Fair organised by the Cirencester and District Friends of HFT has generated £85,000 for Gloucestershire projects.

Martin said: “The money the Christmas Fair has raised over the years is phenomenal. It’s a wonderful charity and the impact the money will have is massive.”

Proceeds from the HFT Christmas Fair will provide gadgets like fingerprint keyholes to give people with disabilities a better quality of life.

Committee member Harriet Hicks, said: “The first fair we ever held in Corn Hall raised about £100 and today we’re hoping to raise eight thousand - it’s very exciting.”

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard

Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville to open Milland Community Shop

---

We are delighted to announce Hugh Bonneville, star of the award-winning ITV series Donwton Abbey, will open the 269th community-owned shop, Milland Stores, on Saturday 3rd December. The official opening is the culmination of two years’ work by the community, who have campaigned since October 2009 to bring the project to fruition. Not just a shop, Milland Stores will bring postal facilities, a café, internet access and emergency deliveries of groceries for the more vulnerable members of the community. Philip Watts, Chairman of the Committee, said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome Hugh Bonneville to open Milland Stores,...

Posted by Harriet English on 21 November 2011

Nashville Paying Tribute to Linda McCartney With Concerts, Album

CMT

October 27, 2011

Linda and Paul McCartney

Photo Credit: Brenda Chase/Getty Images

 

Two concerts are scheduled in Nashville leading up to next month's release of Let Us In Nashville -- A Tribute to Linda McCartney, an album featuring new versions of Paul McCartney songs recorded by Steel Magnolia, Ricky Skaggs, Phil Vassar, Chuck Wicks and others. Actor-musician Jeff Daniels will host a Nov. 7 concert at the Ryman Auditorium with songs from the album performed by Steel Magnolia, Vassar, Wicks, SHeDAISY, Sarah Darling, guitarist Laurence Juber, former Gloriana member Cheyenne Kimball and others, including the Blue Sky Riders, a band featuring singer-songwriters Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. On Nov. 6, CMT's Katie Cook will host a similar event at the Whiskey Bent Saloon in downtown Nashville with performances by Vassar, Darling and others. Donations will be accepted at the door.

 

Proceeds from both events benefit Women and Cancer Fund established in the memory of Linda McCartney and authorized by Paul McCartney. She died of breast cancer in 1998 at age 56. The tribute album, set for release Nov. 21 on Reviver Music, includes Skaggs' version of "Listen to What the Man Said," Vassar's take on "Lady Madonna," Wicks' arrangement of "No More Lonely Nights" and Daniels' rendition of "Heart of the Country."

Downton Abbey Stars support the wonderful charity THE RAINBOW TRUST- and enjoy some champaign at London's Savoy!

DOWNTON ABBEY: WHAT WOULD HIS LORDSHIP SAY?

Sunday October 16,2011

THIS is the kind of scene that would have the Earl of Grantham ­choking on his champagne – the aristocratic residents of Downton Abbey mixing socially with staff from “below stairs”.

Even the Earl would probably breathe a sigh of relief though as the glamorous bash was to help sick children.

Stars of the hit ITV drama, rocked by love affairs, scandal and the horrors of the First World War, swopped breeches and bonnets for modern glad rags at the Rainbow Trust’s ­Silver Jubilee ball.

Hugh Bonneville, who plays the Earl of Grantham, Thomas Howes (footman William Mason), Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley, heir to the Crawley title), Allen Leech (chauffeur Tom Branson) and Lesley Nicol (cook Mrs ­Patmore) joined show ­creator Julian Fellowes and his wife Emma Kitchener-­Fellowes at the £250 a ticket do at London’s Savoy hotel.

The Rainbow Trust supports families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness. About 14,000 families have been helped since 1986.

Heather Wood, chief executive of Rainbow Trust, said: “We are ­overwhelmed by the names and faces that have stepped out to ­support us

ANOTHER star-studded Spirit of Christmas event is being planned for Chester Cathedral this December.

htar-studded Spirit of Christmas event to take place at Chester Cathedral in December

Oct 7 2011 Chester Chronicle

Actor and TV presenter Matthew Kelly will once again host a spectacular evening.
More than a dozen top names from TV, stage and screen will be performing at the 16th Spirit of Christmas carol concert to be held in Chester Cathedral.

In the past the concert has welcomed such stars as Alan Rickman, Imelda Staunton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sophie Thompson, Neil Pearson, Carey Mulligan and Jim Broadbent.  The event has yet to be finalised.

The concert raises money for the Neuromuscular Centre in Winsford which provides vital services and employment for people with muscular dystrophy across the North West and beyond.
Muscular dystrophy is a condition which progressively weakens muscles and for most people this means getting on with life in a wheelchair – the centre receives virtually no government funding and costs £750,000 a year to run.

Last year this event attracted more than 800 people and raised more than £27,000.
Once again, the organisers are running a massive primary school choir competition across Cheshire in association with Chester’s Dee 106.3 and sponsored by Dawsons Music.
The winning choir will perform at the event in front of the audience and celebrities and will be announced on air on Friday, November 18.

Tickets are now available from £10 up to £50 (includes champagne reception with celebrities). Call the NMC on 01606 861733 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 01606 861733 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or buy online at www.nmcentre.com and www.chestercathedral.com.