What the press says
Click the source link to view the full article.13 Nov 2008 - Health queen meets Her Majesty The Queen
Champneys founder picks up her OBE. Health spa founder Dorothy Purdew, of Henlow, was awarded her OBE by Her Majesty The Queen this week. On Tuesday Mrs Purdew, chair of Champneys Health Resorts, visited Windsor Castle to be presented with her honour for services to the health spa industry and to charity.
Bedford Today
12 Nov 2008 - Punk icon visits Gainsborough's Trinity Arts Centre
Eighties punk icon Hazel O'Connor is bringing the 10th anniversary celebration of her acclaimed ground-breaking theatre show Beyond Breaking Glass to Gainsborough's Trinity Arts Centre this Saturday (15th November).
Doncaster Free Press
06 Nov 2008 - Bulletin: In a keep fit league of their own
More than 350 keep fit fans aged 20 to 90 including a party from Chiswick and Twickenham, celebrated ‘Another 60 years of The Fitness League teaching’ at Echelford Primary School, Ashford.
Richmond and Twickenham Times
06 Nov 2008 - Millennium Flame Handed To Children's Charity
The Millennium Flame, which is being kept alight until June 2012 to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee, has been handed over to a children's charity. The Variety Club, which supports sick, disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK, will now keep the flame alight for a year and a day.
Community Newswire
19 Oct 2008 - Designs on our lives: Everything from Sky boxes to bottles of water are getting a makeover
...Even breakfast cereal has undergone a makeover: Sugar Puffs fans can now choose from funky limited-edition packs by Daisy and Pearl Lowe and hip fashion mag SuperSuper - all proceeds will go to the Variety Club Children's Charity.
Mail Online
17 Oct 2008 - ‘Catholicism is the bear I wrestle with’
An actress who has rediscovered her Irish roots tells Peter Stanford about the mixed blessing of her faith.
The Catholic Herald
16 Oct 2008 - New set of wheels for Emily
Teenager Emily Woodward has got a new set of wheels after she was given a state-of-the-art Topan Powerchair. The 16-year-old, of Wigmore, Luton, became the proud owner of the new electric wheelchair after the Variety Club Children's Charity gave it to her for free, as part of its Easy Riders Wheelchairs For Kids campaign.
Bedford Today
15 Oct 2008 - Business Community Dig Deep For IOD Golf Event
Despite tougher economic times, the county’s business community has raised thousands of pounds for the Variety Club charity, following the Kent branch of the Institute of Directors’ (IOD) Annual Golf Day event.
Only Kent
15 Oct 2008 - Diary: Fergie saves ITV's Jim
It helps to have friends in high places - and in the sports world they don't come much higher than Sir Alex Ferguson. After Manchester United boss Sir Alex made a heartfelt plea for axed ITV broadcaster Jim Rosenthal to be given a swift return to our screens, the station has promptly done just that.
Manchester Evening News
14 Oct 2008 - Radio star’s tribute
Hundreds of Welsh radio fans gathered in Cardiff to honour one of the nation’s most popular entertainers. The Variety Club of Great Britain presented a lifetime achievement award to BBC Radio Wales presenter Chris Needs for services to broadcasting and charities in Wales.
Wales Online
13 Oct 2008 - Daisy Lowe's sweet treats
Daisy Lowe has designed her owned limited edition pack of Sugar Puffs cereal. The model and her mum Pearl Lowe have teamed up with Honey Monster Foods to personalise their own box of the sugary breakfast cereal. Just 150 of each pack will be sold for £4.95 each at exclusive London department store Harrods with all proceeds from the sales of the packs going directly to the Variety Club Children's Charity, helping sick and disadvantaged children all over the UK.
This Is Swansea
13 Oct 2008 - Stanningley learning centre celebrates bus boost
Youngsters at a special learning centre in Stanningley are looking forward to getting out more. The children at West Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) will be able to go on more outings after the Bank of Ireland presented them with a Variety Club Children's Charity Sunshine Coach.
Pudsey Today
13 Oct 2008 - Daisy Lowe's sweet treats
Daisy Lowe has designed her owned limited edition pack of Sugar Puffs cereal. The model and her mum Pearl Lowe have teamed up with Honey Monster Foods to personalise their own box of the sugary breakfast cereal.
Metro
06 Oct 2008 - School gets minibus
A minibus was donated to a school to get pupils involved in more trips and clubs. College Park School, in Garway Road, Bayswater was presented with the new bus on Friday by charity, the Variety Club and funds came from the Westminster Foundation and The National Lottery Awards for All.
Paddington and Westminster Times
02 Oct 2008 - Leeds commercial surveyors Carter and Co and Towlers confirm merger
One of the biggest independent agency practices outside London is being formed with the merger of two long-standing local names in commercial surveying and property consultancy. A fifty-strong practice has been created by the merger of Carter and Co with Towlers.
Yorkshire Evening Post
02 Oct 2008 - Boy George joins Here & Now Tour 2009
Boy George, Kim Wilde, Pete Burns from Dead or Alive, Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Altered Images, Brother Beyond and Hazel O Connor will line-up for the Here & Now Tour 2009, including a date at the Trent FM Arena .... Hazel O Connor - the first major female star of the 80s, she starred in the cult film Breaking Glass alongside Phil Daniels, Jim Broadbent and Jonathan Price. She won the Variety Club of Great Britain's' 1980 Film Actress Of The Year award and was also nominated for Best Newcomer.
This is Nottingham
02 Oct 2008 - Pearly King and Queen receive citation for fundraising efforts
A couple who have devoted their lives to helping the needy and demonstrating their heritage have been rewarded for their efforts. Doreen and Larry Golding, of Gardners Close, Wanstead, were given the Variety’s International Presidential Citation from the Variety Club after spending more than 10 years generating funds for the charity.
Yellow Advertiser
01 Oct 2008 - Charity's office appeal
Camden-based children's charity, The Variety Club, is appealing for donations to help spruce up its office. The Variety Club, in Bayham Street, Camden Town, celebrates 60 years of supporting sick, disabled and disadvantaged children in 2009, and is looking to re-design its offices in anticipation of next year's anniversary activities.
Camden Gazette
01 Oct 2008 - School gets new minibus
Youngsters at a special needs school in York are reaping the benefits of a new £40,000 minibus - thanks to the fundraising efforts of big-hearted chocolate workers. Hundreds of staff at the Nestlé factory in York worked tirelessly to raise the cash through a variety of events, including sponsored slims, a summer fun day, an auction and market stalls.
The York Press
01 Oct 2008 - Cilla tells of her romp in Sir Cliff's bed
He may have recently admitted that he spends most of his free time with his close male friend and “companion” Father John McElynn but that didn’t stop the ladies in Sir Cliff Richard’s life falling over themselves to pay tribute to himat a recent lunch in his honour.
Daily Express
30 Sep 2008 - Toastmaster's tribute to wife
Newport toastmaster Harry Poloway has paid tribute to his wife Vicki, who died on Friday. Mrs Poloway, who like Mr Poloway was a member of Newport’s Hebrew congregation, was known for her volunteer work with the Red Cross, and often assisted Mr Poloway in his functions as a honorary member of the Variety Club.
South Wales Argus
30 Sep 2008 - Miss Marple's final case: real-life crime mystery of late Oscar-winning actor
She was an Academy Award-winning character actor best known in later life for her flamboyant screen portrayal of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. But after her death, Dame Margaret Rutherford became the victim of a crime mystery worthy of the spinster detective herself.
The Guardian
30 Sep 2008 - BBC interview Sir Cliff Richard
On Friday 19th September, The Variety Club Children’s Charity hosted a Cliff Richard OBE tribute event which celebrated Cliff’s showbiz career over the last 50 years.
Listen now (Mp3)
29 Sep 2008 - Good cause unites stars
Blackpool stars are out to prove charity begins at home again with an all star Live & Kicking show in aid of Parkinson's Disease and the Variety Club of Great Britain.
The Blackpool Gazette
29 Sep 2008 - Hanley: Signed football shirts and limousine rides were auctioned to raise almost £7,000 for charity
The Staffordshire branch of Variety Club collected the cash at its annual ball at the Quality Hotel in Hanley. It will go towards buying minibuses called Sunshine Coaches for special needs schools in the Staffordshire area. Auctioneer Adam Partridge, from BBC's Flog It, hosted the auction, which included signed England, Stoke and Arsenal football shirts.
thisisstaffordshire.co.uk
27 Sep 2008 - Michael Parkinson - Parkinson: ITV was a depressing end to my career
Michael Parkinson has said he was glad to leave ITV last year, after three years on the network. The chatshow legend defected to ITV from the BBC in 2004 after growing unhappy over the latter's scheduling of his programme.
Contactmusic.com
25 Sep 2008 - Cliff Richard and The Shadows to regroup for one last world tour
Sir Cliff Richard has revealed he is set to reunite with The Shadows for one final world tour. The 67-year-old said that he had been in discussion with the band - Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch and Brian Bennett - for some time and was hopeful plans would come together in the next two years.
Daily Mail Online
25 Sep 2008 - Charity screening for 3D film
Blackpool Odeon is hosting a special advance screening of the new 3D animated film Fly Me To The Moon in aid of The Variety Club and the NSPCC on Sunday at noon. Exclusively in 3D animation, Fly Me To The Moon is the tale of a brave housefly, Nat, and his two best friends, Scooter and IQ.
The Blackpool Gazette
24 Sep 2008 - Cliff Richard - Richard Feared The Beatles
Sir Cliff Richard once feared his career would be ruined by the BEATLES. The Fab Four dominated the music scene in the 1960s and Richard was petrified the band would over take him in the charts.
Contactmusic.com
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
Derbyshire Times
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends. Gloria Hunniford was also at The Dorchester, in the tribute event organised by the Variety Club Children's Charity. Sir Cliff, 67, and the broadcaster are close friends - the star sang his track Miss You Nights to Hunniford's daughter Caron as she battled with cancer.
Worcester News
20 Sep 2008 - Bakers’ charity cycle
A team of cycling bakers are pedalling off on a fundraising mission. A group of 13 workers from Kingsmill’s Cardiff bakery will cycle 55 miles along the Taff Trail from Cardiff Bay to Brecon to raise money for the Variety Club children’s charity.
Wales Online
20 Sep 2008 - Sir Cliff marks charts milestone
Sir Cliff Richard, 67, celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends yesterday. Cilla Black arrived with her regular date, Reading Football Club chairman John Madejski. Gloria Hunniford was also at the tribute event organised by the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
The Press and Journal
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
Yorkshire Post
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
The Press Association
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
Denbighshire Free Press
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
Bridlington Free Press
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
Offaly Express
19 Sep 2008 - Cliff celebrates 50 years at top of UK charts
Cliff Richard celebrated half a century at the top of the charts in the UK with a gathering of showbusiness friends today. Cilla Black, who caused a sensation on the catwalk this week when she showed off her shapely legs while wearing very little at a charity fashion show, opted for a rather more demure outfit at today’s event.
Breakingnews.ie
19 Sep 2008 - The Cherie and Cliff show! Mrs Blair helps Sir Richard celebrate 50 years of music
It was Congratulations... and Celebrations, as Sir Cliff Richard marked 50 years of music making today with a tribute lunch at The Dorchester in London. And helping him party was Cherie Blair, who in her eye catching metallic jacket nearly upstaged the man of honour himself.
Daily Mail Online
19 Sep 2008 - Cliff Richard celebrates 50 years in music
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends. Cilla Black, who caused a sensation on the catwalk this week when she showed off her shapely legs while wearing very little at a charity fashion show, opted for a rather more demure outfit at the event.
Yahoo UK News
19 Sep 2008 - Cliff Richard celebrates 50 years in music
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends. Cilla Black, who caused a sensation on the catwalk this week when she showed off her shapely legs while wearing very little at a charity fashion show, opted for a rather more demure outfit at the event.
Channel 4
19 Sep 2008 - Cliff celebrates 50 years at top of charts
Sir Cliff Richard celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends. Gloria Hunniford was also at the tribute event in London, organised by the Variety Club Children's Charity.
Metro
19 Sep 2008 - Cliff Richard celebrates 50 years in music (+ VIDEO)
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends. Cilla Black, who caused a sensation on the catwalk this week when she showed off her shapely legs while wearing very little at a charity fashion show, opted for a rather more demure outfit at the event.
ITN
19 Sep 2008 - Star-packed tribute for Sir Cliff
Singer Sir Cliff Richard has marked 50 years of chart success with a star-studded tribute in central London. Organised by children's charity the Variety Club, the event was attended by Cilla Black, Gloria Hunniford, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice.
BBC News
18 Sep 2008 - Laughs all the way as school gets new mini-bus
Coronation Street star Michael Starke brought a smile to children’s faces as they celebrated their school getting a new minibus. Rumworth School in Ladybridge, Bolton, bought the £35,000 vehicle to allow staff to take pupils on educational activity trips, including a yearly visit to France.
The Bolton News
17 Sep 2008 - 11 and 13 year-old questioned over Sandelford attacks
The shock over recent attacks at Sandelford School continues today. People in the Coleraine have been further disturbed by the revelation that children aged 11 and 13 years were arrested over the recent attacks at Sandelford School.
Read the full story
16 Sep 2008 - Variety’s Sandown Race Day (Radio Show Interview)
Variety Club’s Pip Burley highlights how Variety’s Sandown Race Day helps the charity to continue to support children and young people throughout the UK
Listen to the interview (Quicktime/iTunes audio format)
11 Sep 2008 - Young wheelchair athletes aspire to olympic skills
With the Paralympics in full swing budding disabled athletes turned out in force to showcase their skills in charity matches. Children with spinal injuries took part in wheelchair basketball, football and rugby at the Aspire National Training Centre, in Wood Lane, Stanmore, on Sunday. The afternoon of sporting fun was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Variety Club's Easy Riders Wheelchair Programme.
Harrow Observer
08 Sep 2008 - Entertainment of a very British variety
Audiences will be able to experience some traditional comedy when the Best of British Variety Tour stops in Wales. Karen Price takes a look at some of the old favourites who will be back in the spotlight
Read the full story
06 Sep 2008 - Win VIP trip to the dogs
Let's all go to the dogs! The Variety Club Children's Charity, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2009, is hosting its annual Greyhound Race Meeting at Wimbledon Stadium on Tuesday September 23.
Read the full story
03 Sep 2008 - Stars on show at Sandown
Celebrities were out in force on Saturday as the Variety Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with its annual charity raceday at Sandown Park. Just under 11,000 people filled the stands for their chance to see a host of famous faces from the world of film and television.
Read the full story
01 Sep 2008 - So, variety is the ice of life
Suzanne Shaw's appearance at Saturday's 50th anniversary Royal Variety Club race meeting at Sandown was a welcome distraction for the Dancing On Ice winner after her engagement to DJ boyfriend Jason 'JK' King.
Read the full story
01 Sep 2008 - Harriet Collins trapped as shutters come down on her photo opportunity
At the end of September Greenwood, Ellis and Partners, the Newmarket veterinary practice, will move into its state of the art equine hospital – just next to the roundabout for the National Stud and July Course.
Read the full story
01 Sep 2008 - Suzanne Shaw and Frankie Dettori at the races - Foto
Horse Racing - Variety Club Day - Sandown Park
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01 Sep 2008 - Suzanne Shaw at the races - Foto
Horse Racing - Variety Club Day - Sandown Park
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01 Sep 2008 - Crowds watch the racing - Foto
Horse Racing - Variety Club Day - Sandown Park
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01 Sep 2008 - Childrens characters are interviewed in the winners enclosure - Foto
Horse Racing - Variety Club Day - Sandown Park
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31 Aug 2008 - Sri Putra shines in Solario and now has Million on his mind
The sultan, an all-round sports fan, is also the 77-year-old head of state of Pahang, one of the13 states in federal Malaysia, a background in contrast to the upbringing and trade of The Cheka's owner, who grew up above his father's bookmaker's shop in Chiswick. That is the comedian, actor and film director Mel Smith, who would have been an appropriate winner on the 50th Variety Club fund-raising day at the Esher track.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Aileen's Sahara Trek
We then crossed over one last dune to see our camp and the finishing line in the distance. It was a fantastic feeling to know that we trekked over 100km to help sick and disadvantaged children for the Variety Club.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Charlton Star Is A Real Pro
The prize money is very good for what is normally not the best of the year's Sandown fixtures and this Variety Club day sees a fairly high standard of runner.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Peter Bolton
In the 1950s and 60s, Peter Bolton, who then lived in Wetherby and worked in Leeds, competed in many rallies and races including 20 Monte Carlo rallies and 10 24-hour Le Mans – best remembered as team leader for AC Cobra with co-drivers Ninian Sanderson and Jack Sears.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Weekend Racing Preview
A traditionally unremarkable weekend deserves greater scrutiny this year. Sandown’s Group Three betinternet Solario Stakes and tomorrow’s Group One Moyglare Stud Fillies’ Stakes on the Curragh aren’t great Classic guides. But the loss of the Acomb sees York’s intended protagonists illuminating the Solario, main event on Sandown’s Variety Club Charity card.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Shabiba strikes Sandown gold
Shabiba picked up well to pull away by a length and a quarter from Ada River and give trainer Marcus Tregoning the honour of receiving a prize from singer Suzanne Shaw, the star guest of Variety Club Day.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Sri Putra strikes for Jarvis and Robinson in Sandown feature
Shabiba picked up well to pull away by a length and a quarter from Ada River and give trainer Marcus Tregoning the honour of receiving a prize from singer Suzanne Shaw, the star guest of Variety Club Day.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Versatile star to shine at Sandown
Suzanne Shaw is delighted to be a special guest at the 50th anniversary of Sandown Park's Variety Club Raceday on Saturday.
Read the full story
29 Aug 2008 - Variety club show promises a cast of ‘all the talents’
Branscombe Variety Club are back with yet another season of entertainment. Amazingly this tiny group of local people have raised nearly £100,000 for local charties. This year, for their show on September 4, they have asked local entertainer Wally Cotgrave to gather a cast of "all the talents".
Read the full story
29 Aug 2008 - Sandown Betting: Variety Club rundown with Graham Cunningham
Tarby is the banker bet....but don't dismiss Rosaleen as the 'stars' hit Sandown. Forget the Olympic fallout, the American election and the credit crunch - the burning question this weekend relates to which celebrities will be on hand for Variety Club Day at Sandown.
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29 Aug 2008 - Brave Daniel's lasting legacy
A brave teenager who lost his battle with cancer has left a lasting legacy for disabled footballers in South Tyneside. Among the thousands of pounds Daniel Squires left in his will to charities around the region, he bequeathed £3,741 to South Tyneside Football Trust to help out its wheelchair and disabled football teams.
Read the full story
28 Aug 2008 - Mourilyan on course for Melbourne
Mourilyan, described yesterday as a "seriously good horse" by his new trainer Gary Moore, brings an international flavour to Variety Club day at Sandown on Saturday. The much-travelled four-year-old stops off for a £100,000 handicap at the Esher track, but will soon be clocking up more air miles for a crack at the Melbourne Cup.
Read the full story
26 Aug 2008 - Sam out to grab next job vacancy
After a six-month break from the game, former Newcastle and Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is "itching" for a return to football. He applied for the Blackburn Rovers job in the summer but withdrew his application when he saw the signs were pointing towards the appointment of Paul Ince.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Amanda's hunt for a honey
Amanda Marchant may be singing about love in her new single with twin sister Sam, but the former Big Brother star has revealed that she's still looking for a special someone. Samanda have teamed up with the Honey Monster on the Honey Love record, in aid of children's charity The Variety Club.
Read the full story
22 Aug 2008 - Top Cats come out for big night
Sunderland football legends spanning half a century were out in force at the Stadium of Light for a major charity night. Len Ashurst, Bobby Kerr, Jimmy Montgomery, Gary Rowell, Marco Gabbiadini, Chris Turner, Paul Bracewell, Kevin Ball and Mick Horswill were among more than 300 guests at the Variety Club's Gala Dinner last night.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Charity honours work of Denise and Tim
Tim Healy and Denise Welch will be honoured at a glittering Variety Club lunch tribute next month. The popular couple will be joined by friends, family and a host of well- known faces at Newcastle Civic Centre on September 12.
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21 Aug 2008 - Business to invest £½m in new fancy dress store
Superquickprint three years ago invested almost £½m in machinery to improve their printing operation. They supply printed material to a diverse range of businesses, among them football clubs Celtic, Hibs, Birmingham City and Fulham, the Variety Club of Scotland, Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce, and St Andrew’s Hospice, Airdrie.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Amanda's hunt for a honey
Amanda Marchant may be singing about love in her new single with twin sister Sam, but the former Big Brother star has revealed that she's still looking for a special someone. Samanda have teamed up with the Honey Monster on the Honey Love record, in aid of children's charity The Variety Club.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Catch The Krankies
Find out where you can see the famous comedy duo perform in the Best of British Variety Tour2008. The Best Of British Variety Tour 2008, presented by Tony Dentons Promotions, brings together the cream of variety entertainment from past decades.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Amanda's hunt for a honey
Amanda Marchant may be singing about love in her new single with twin sister Sam, but the former Big Brother star has revealed that she's still looking for a special someone. Samanda have teamed up with the Honey Monster on the Honey Love record, in aid of children's charity The Variety Club.
Read the full story
20 Aug 2008 - Honey Monster Records Charity Single with Samanda
The Honey Monster has shown that his taste for honey is not just limited to his breakfast cereal, as he has teamed up with the sweet voices of Big Brother 8 twins Sam and Amanda Marchant to record a charity single called ‘Honey Love’. ‘Honey Love’ will be available to download exclusively on iTunes from w/c 18th August and all the proceeds from the single will go to The Variety Club Children’s Charity.
Read the full story
22 Aug 2008 - The crew that's set for the big screen
A group of Nuneaton film fanatics is celebrating its first feature length movie making the big time after cinema bosses agreed to give it a special screening. All money raised will go to the Odeon's two chosen charities - the NSPCC and the Variety club children's charities.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Amanda's hunt for a honey
Amanda Marchant may be singing about love in her new single with twin sister Sam, but the former Big Brother star has revealed that she's still looking for a special someone. Samanda have teamed up with the Honey Monster on the Honey Love record, in aid of children's charity The Variety Club.
Read the full story
19 Aug 2008 - Diary: Stars' tribute to Sir Alex
Stars of sport, music and screen were lining up to pay tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson last night at a glittering dinner held in his honour. As manager of Manchester United, he's won it all - but last night it was Sir Alex in the spotlight when he was honoured by showbiz charity the Variety Club for his outstanding contribution to sport and charitable work.
Read the full story
13 Aug 2008 - Sharon a vital cog in Variety Club wheel
Last year Sharon Pereira took on a very special challenge to help raise funds for the Variety Club. She walked 100 miles across the Sahara Desert, raising £4,500.
Read the press clipping (PDF)
11 Aug 2008 - Cliff Richard Variety Club Tribute
Special guests will come out of the woodwork to pay tribute to Cliff Richard at the Variety Club’s 50th Anniversary Lunch. Cliff Richard has been in the charts since his debut single ‘Move It’ hit the number two spot in 1958.
Read the full story
28 Jul 2008 - Heartlessness of the metal thieves
Primary-school pupils in Monmouth were recently robbed of their end-of-year trip after thieves stole the exhaust system from their new adapted £30,000 minibus, awarded to them by the Variety Club, with half the cost of the vehicle met by Monmouth Rotary Club.
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21 Jul 2008 - Joseph - Lee Mead hangs up his multi-coloured coat
Since then, he has won the Variety Club prize for Outstanding New Talent and although nominated for a Whatonstage.com Award for Best Actor in a Musical, he narrowly missed out to Hairspray‘s Michael Ball.
Read the full story
18 Jul 2008 - Lee Mead Removes West End
Mead was nominated for a Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance (narrowly missing out to Michael Ball for Hairspray) and won the Variety Club prize for Outstanding New Talent.
Read the full story
18 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
Read the full story
18 Jul 2008 - John gets chirpy in middle of duck race
Organising a charity challenge is water off a duck’s back to John Manning. He just calls on his showbiz pals – and 20 THOUSAND plastic ducks! Former Jamestown man John is behind this Sunday’s, massive Duck Race in aid of the Variety Club of Scotland.
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16 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
Read the full story
16 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
Read the full story
16 Jul 2008 - At Work: Fundraising - Celebrity watch - Lewis Hamilton
British Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton lent his support to the Variety Club's Brands Hatch Track Day earlier this month.
Read the full story
11 Jul 2008 - Restaurant owner Robert is royally chuffed
The man behind the restoration of a Beech Hill landmark has been honoured by royalty. Restaurateur and entrepreneur, Robert Walton, collected an MBE from Prince Charles at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
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11 Jul 2008 - Pop Group Used By Entrepreneur
The Kent branch of the IoD is now taking team bookings for its annual Corporate Golf Day, to be held this year on Friday October 3, at the London Golf Club near Brands Hatch. This year's chosen charity, which will benefit from an auction held on the day, is the Variety Club.
Read the full story
11 Jul 2008 - In praise of Sobell
The existing building, opened in 1973, was designed by Bill Laming, of Richard Seifert and Partners, who I understand gave their fees free to a project sponsored by the Variety Club of Great Britain.
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11 Jul 2008 - Defying a pod of whales
Marlow's Nick Berry defied a pod of killer whales to set a new British swimming record. The 22-year-old was part of a three-man team which swam from Spain to Morocco across the hazardous Straits of Gibraltar in three hours and 38 minutes to set a new British record.
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11 Jul 2008 - Defying a pod of whales
Marlow's Nick Berry defied a pod of killer whales to set a new British swimming record. The 22-year-old was part of a three-man team which swam from Spain to Morocco across the hazardous Straits of Gibraltar in three hours and 38 minutes to set a new British record.
Read the full story
10 Jul 2008 - Callous thieves rob disabled kids
Heartless vandals have left a school minibus immobile, pupils at Overmonnow Primary School learned this week. Teachers arrived at work on Friday morning to find the exhaust and catalytic converter removed from the bus.
Read the full story
09 Jul 2008 - Students conquer straits challenge
Three Oxford students dodged killer whales, huge ships and strong currents to smash the British record for swimming between Europe and Africa.
Read the full story
09 Jul 2008 - Variety Club’s ‘Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids’ scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year
Since 1988 Variety has provided 3,270 wheelchairs, and the organisation does a great job by providing equipment and life changing educational and entertaining trips through its Variety at Work scheme.
Read the full story
09 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set New British Record In Hazardous Straits Of Gibraltar Swim
A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record.
Read the full story
09 Jul 2008 - A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record
The team from Oxford University completed this dangerous open water challenge in aid of the Variety Club Children's Charity. And even beat the time set by Little Britain star David Walliams and Olympic champion James Cracknell earlier this year by nearly an hour.
Read the full story
09 Jul 2008 - Be first to see British movie - competition
The Variety Club Children's Charity and Blackpool Odeon are hosting an exclusive preview screening of the must-see new film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (cert 12A).
The Odeon is inviting guests to enter the world of Georgia Nicholson – based on the hugely successful series of novels by Louise Rennison.
Read the full story
08 Jul 2008 - Uni swimmers snatch record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
Read the full story
08 Jul 2008 - University swimmers take record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
Read the full story
08 Jul 2008 - Trio Set New British Record In Charity Swim
Three Oxford University students set a new British record in a charity swim across the Straits of Gibraltar. The team completed the open water challenge in three hours and 38 minutes to raise more than £1,600 for the Variety Club Children's Charity.
Read the full story
08 Jul 2008 - University swimmers take record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
Read the full story
08 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set New British Record In Hazardous Straits Of Gibraltar Swim
A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record. The team from Oxford University completed this dangerous open water challenge in aid of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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07 Jul 2008 - Gosport Variety Club on Daily school run
A school charity for children with additional needs in Gosport has taken delivery of an Iveco Daily minibus donated by the Variety Club.
Read the full story
04 Jul 2008 - Camden Town Unlimited Newsletter - 20 Years Of Easy Riders
What I'm not sure of is how many of you realise that the Variety Club is based in Camden Town.
View the full story (Download PDF)
02 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set To Take On The Straits Of Gibraltar In Record Time
A trio of students from Oxford University's swimming team are set to swim across the Straits of Gibraltar in aid of the Variety Club Children's charity.
Read the full story
01 Jul 2008 - Home town to host festival honouring 'the father of philanthropy'
...The festival also boasts its own mini film festival, which will feature a charity premiere of Taken – Liam Neeson's new movie – proceeds from which will go to the Variety Club and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. There will also be a special showcase for Napier University's own "screen academy".
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30 Jun 2008 - End of the Motson era
After more than 35 years as BBC Sport's voice of football, Sunday's Euro 2008 final from Vienna marked commentator John Motson's last major television showpiece.
Read the full story
29 Jun 2008 - John Motson: The Full Motty
There is little mystery to his hold on public appeal. Whatever he says comes straight from the heart.
Read the full story
28 Jun 2008 - Hamilton lends his support to the Variety Club
Lewis Hamilton has given his support to a special racing experience, organised by children’s charity The Variety Club, for eight lucky pupils at Brands Hatch next week.
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27 Jun 2008 - Sir Trevor Chinn appointed chair of Mayor's Fund for London
Boris Johnson has announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor’s Fund for London. The Mayor made the announcement during the State of London Debate.
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26 Jun 2008 - A Starry night out
Oh what a night! Variety Club celebrated Freddie Starr’s 50 years in showbusiness. Lyn Staunton from Variety Club worked very hard to put the whole night together.
Read the full story
26 Jun 2008 - Huddersfield children join Harewood fun day
Youngsters from Huddersfield were among more than 400 children taking part in a fun day organised by the Yorkshire region of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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25 Jun 2008 - Boris Johnson today announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor's Fund for London
Boris Johnson today announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor’s Fund for London. The Mayor made the announcement during the State of London Debate.
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25 Jun 2008 - Helping keep the lives of others as sweet as possible
Nestle has made sweets in Halifax for decades - but the company is always looking for new community initiatives to support.
Read the full story
25 Jun 2008 - Question Time, the BBC's premier political debate programme chaired by David Dimbleby, will be in Bexhill on Thursday 26 June.
The panel will include the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper, the Conservative shadow security minister Pauline Neville Jones, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for home affairs Chris Huhne, contemporary artist Grayson Perry and the veteran journalist Ann Leslie.
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24 Jun 2008 - Freddie's starry night
There were, thankfully, no maggots and only the tiniest mention of hamsters - but entertainer Freddie Starr was as unpredictable as ever as he celebrated 50 years in showbiz in Manchester.
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21 Jun 2008 - Top 5 for Kids: Childsplay: King Lear; The Emperor's new Kilt
Family Fun Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea. The Variety Club children's charity with an afternoon of events including bouncy castles, pottery painting, hoopla, uni-cyclists, break- dancing lessons, magicians, wall-climbing and more.
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20 Jun 2008 - Ex Banker back home after bike ride
Pedalling to Paris for charity. I have always enjoyed a good challenge and the thought of cycling from London to Paris in aid of the Variety Club seemed a splendid idea. Prior to commencing the journey we were advised to train but nothing could have prepared us for what was to come on the first two days.
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17 Jun 2008 - Chilling out for charity
Staff at a Carlisle travel agency plan to do their bit for charity with a sponsored 12-mile ice skate. Employees at Thomas Cook’s, English Street will attempt the feat in aid of the new Critical Care Unit at the Variety Club Children’s Hospital in London.
Read the full story
16 Jun 2008 - Swimmers face Straits challenge
An intrepid trio of friends is set to tackle the 'Everest of open-water swimming' by crossing from Europe to Africa via the 22km-wide Straits of Gibraltar.
Read the full story
16 Jun 2008 - Shoe recycling scheme opens
A Bredon shop owner is helping local residents to help others by recycling their unwanted shoes. Barry Young of Queensmead Stores has allowed a shoe collection point to be set up in the store. The footwear is sold on to third world countries where it is refurbished and resold at prices local people can afford.
Read the full story
13 Jun 2008 - Variety the spice of life for Rachel
Derry woman Rachel Scarlett has gained a new perspective on life.
The 19 year-old, who has Larsen's Syndrome, is the proud owner of a new Hippo wheelchair thanks to the Variety Club Children's Charity.
Read the full story
13 Jun 2008 - Variety Club Fun Day
On Sunday 22nd June, The Variety Club Children’s Charity is hosting a Family Fun Day for all families in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea (and beyond) to raise money to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.
Read the full story | Event information
13 Jun 2008 - Region's property excellence recognised
Champneys founder picks up her OBE. Health spa founder Dorothy Purdew, of Henlow, was awarded her OBE by Her Majesty The Queen this week. On Tuesday Mrs Purdew, chair of Champneys Health Resorts, visited Windsor Castle to be presented with her honour for services to the health spa industry and to charity.
Bedford Today
12 Nov 2008 - Punk icon visits Gainsborough's Trinity Arts Centre
Eighties punk icon Hazel O'Connor is bringing the 10th anniversary celebration of her acclaimed ground-breaking theatre show Beyond Breaking Glass to Gainsborough's Trinity Arts Centre this Saturday (15th November).
Doncaster Free Press
06 Nov 2008 - Bulletin: In a keep fit league of their own
More than 350 keep fit fans aged 20 to 90 including a party from Chiswick and Twickenham, celebrated ‘Another 60 years of The Fitness League teaching’ at Echelford Primary School, Ashford.
Richmond and Twickenham Times
06 Nov 2008 - Millennium Flame Handed To Children's Charity
The Millennium Flame, which is being kept alight until June 2012 to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee, has been handed over to a children's charity. The Variety Club, which supports sick, disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK, will now keep the flame alight for a year and a day.
Community Newswire
19 Oct 2008 - Designs on our lives: Everything from Sky boxes to bottles of water are getting a makeover
...Even breakfast cereal has undergone a makeover: Sugar Puffs fans can now choose from funky limited-edition packs by Daisy and Pearl Lowe and hip fashion mag SuperSuper - all proceeds will go to the Variety Club Children's Charity.
Mail Online
17 Oct 2008 - ‘Catholicism is the bear I wrestle with’
An actress who has rediscovered her Irish roots tells Peter Stanford about the mixed blessing of her faith.
The Catholic Herald
16 Oct 2008 - New set of wheels for Emily
Teenager Emily Woodward has got a new set of wheels after she was given a state-of-the-art Topan Powerchair. The 16-year-old, of Wigmore, Luton, became the proud owner of the new electric wheelchair after the Variety Club Children's Charity gave it to her for free, as part of its Easy Riders Wheelchairs For Kids campaign.
Bedford Today
15 Oct 2008 - Business Community Dig Deep For IOD Golf Event
Despite tougher economic times, the county’s business community has raised thousands of pounds for the Variety Club charity, following the Kent branch of the Institute of Directors’ (IOD) Annual Golf Day event.
Only Kent
15 Oct 2008 - Diary: Fergie saves ITV's Jim
It helps to have friends in high places - and in the sports world they don't come much higher than Sir Alex Ferguson. After Manchester United boss Sir Alex made a heartfelt plea for axed ITV broadcaster Jim Rosenthal to be given a swift return to our screens, the station has promptly done just that.
Manchester Evening News
14 Oct 2008 - Radio star’s tribute
Hundreds of Welsh radio fans gathered in Cardiff to honour one of the nation’s most popular entertainers. The Variety Club of Great Britain presented a lifetime achievement award to BBC Radio Wales presenter Chris Needs for services to broadcasting and charities in Wales.
Wales Online
13 Oct 2008 - Daisy Lowe's sweet treats
Daisy Lowe has designed her owned limited edition pack of Sugar Puffs cereal. The model and her mum Pearl Lowe have teamed up with Honey Monster Foods to personalise their own box of the sugary breakfast cereal. Just 150 of each pack will be sold for £4.95 each at exclusive London department store Harrods with all proceeds from the sales of the packs going directly to the Variety Club Children's Charity, helping sick and disadvantaged children all over the UK.
This Is Swansea
13 Oct 2008 - Stanningley learning centre celebrates bus boost
Youngsters at a special learning centre in Stanningley are looking forward to getting out more. The children at West Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) will be able to go on more outings after the Bank of Ireland presented them with a Variety Club Children's Charity Sunshine Coach.
Pudsey Today
13 Oct 2008 - Daisy Lowe's sweet treats
Daisy Lowe has designed her owned limited edition pack of Sugar Puffs cereal. The model and her mum Pearl Lowe have teamed up with Honey Monster Foods to personalise their own box of the sugary breakfast cereal.
Metro
06 Oct 2008 - School gets minibus
A minibus was donated to a school to get pupils involved in more trips and clubs. College Park School, in Garway Road, Bayswater was presented with the new bus on Friday by charity, the Variety Club and funds came from the Westminster Foundation and The National Lottery Awards for All.
Paddington and Westminster Times
02 Oct 2008 - Leeds commercial surveyors Carter and Co and Towlers confirm merger
One of the biggest independent agency practices outside London is being formed with the merger of two long-standing local names in commercial surveying and property consultancy. A fifty-strong practice has been created by the merger of Carter and Co with Towlers.
Yorkshire Evening Post
02 Oct 2008 - Boy George joins Here & Now Tour 2009
Boy George, Kim Wilde, Pete Burns from Dead or Alive, Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Altered Images, Brother Beyond and Hazel O Connor will line-up for the Here & Now Tour 2009, including a date at the Trent FM Arena .... Hazel O Connor - the first major female star of the 80s, she starred in the cult film Breaking Glass alongside Phil Daniels, Jim Broadbent and Jonathan Price. She won the Variety Club of Great Britain's' 1980 Film Actress Of The Year award and was also nominated for Best Newcomer.
This is Nottingham
02 Oct 2008 - Pearly King and Queen receive citation for fundraising efforts
A couple who have devoted their lives to helping the needy and demonstrating their heritage have been rewarded for their efforts. Doreen and Larry Golding, of Gardners Close, Wanstead, were given the Variety’s International Presidential Citation from the Variety Club after spending more than 10 years generating funds for the charity.
Yellow Advertiser
01 Oct 2008 - Charity's office appeal
Camden-based children's charity, The Variety Club, is appealing for donations to help spruce up its office. The Variety Club, in Bayham Street, Camden Town, celebrates 60 years of supporting sick, disabled and disadvantaged children in 2009, and is looking to re-design its offices in anticipation of next year's anniversary activities.
Camden Gazette
01 Oct 2008 - School gets new minibus
Youngsters at a special needs school in York are reaping the benefits of a new £40,000 minibus - thanks to the fundraising efforts of big-hearted chocolate workers. Hundreds of staff at the Nestlé factory in York worked tirelessly to raise the cash through a variety of events, including sponsored slims, a summer fun day, an auction and market stalls.
The York Press
01 Oct 2008 - Cilla tells of her romp in Sir Cliff's bed
He may have recently admitted that he spends most of his free time with his close male friend and “companion” Father John McElynn but that didn’t stop the ladies in Sir Cliff Richard’s life falling over themselves to pay tribute to himat a recent lunch in his honour.
Daily Express
30 Sep 2008 - Toastmaster's tribute to wife
Newport toastmaster Harry Poloway has paid tribute to his wife Vicki, who died on Friday. Mrs Poloway, who like Mr Poloway was a member of Newport’s Hebrew congregation, was known for her volunteer work with the Red Cross, and often assisted Mr Poloway in his functions as a honorary member of the Variety Club.
South Wales Argus
30 Sep 2008 - Miss Marple's final case: real-life crime mystery of late Oscar-winning actor
She was an Academy Award-winning character actor best known in later life for her flamboyant screen portrayal of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. But after her death, Dame Margaret Rutherford became the victim of a crime mystery worthy of the spinster detective herself.
The Guardian
30 Sep 2008 - BBC interview Sir Cliff Richard
On Friday 19th September, The Variety Club Children’s Charity hosted a Cliff Richard OBE tribute event which celebrated Cliff’s showbiz career over the last 50 years.
Listen now (Mp3)
29 Sep 2008 - Good cause unites stars
Blackpool stars are out to prove charity begins at home again with an all star Live & Kicking show in aid of Parkinson's Disease and the Variety Club of Great Britain.
The Blackpool Gazette
29 Sep 2008 - Hanley: Signed football shirts and limousine rides were auctioned to raise almost £7,000 for charity
The Staffordshire branch of Variety Club collected the cash at its annual ball at the Quality Hotel in Hanley. It will go towards buying minibuses called Sunshine Coaches for special needs schools in the Staffordshire area. Auctioneer Adam Partridge, from BBC's Flog It, hosted the auction, which included signed England, Stoke and Arsenal football shirts.
thisisstaffordshire.co.uk
27 Sep 2008 - Michael Parkinson - Parkinson: ITV was a depressing end to my career
Michael Parkinson has said he was glad to leave ITV last year, after three years on the network. The chatshow legend defected to ITV from the BBC in 2004 after growing unhappy over the latter's scheduling of his programme.
Contactmusic.com
25 Sep 2008 - Cliff Richard and The Shadows to regroup for one last world tour
Sir Cliff Richard has revealed he is set to reunite with The Shadows for one final world tour. The 67-year-old said that he had been in discussion with the band - Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch and Brian Bennett - for some time and was hopeful plans would come together in the next two years.
Daily Mail Online
25 Sep 2008 - Charity screening for 3D film
Blackpool Odeon is hosting a special advance screening of the new 3D animated film Fly Me To The Moon in aid of The Variety Club and the NSPCC on Sunday at noon. Exclusively in 3D animation, Fly Me To The Moon is the tale of a brave housefly, Nat, and his two best friends, Scooter and IQ.
The Blackpool Gazette
24 Sep 2008 - Cliff Richard - Richard Feared The Beatles
Sir Cliff Richard once feared his career would be ruined by the BEATLES. The Fab Four dominated the music scene in the 1960s and Richard was petrified the band would over take him in the charts.
Contactmusic.com
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
Derbyshire Times
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends. Gloria Hunniford was also at The Dorchester, in the tribute event organised by the Variety Club Children's Charity. Sir Cliff, 67, and the broadcaster are close friends - the star sang his track Miss You Nights to Hunniford's daughter Caron as she battled with cancer.
Worcester News
20 Sep 2008 - Bakers’ charity cycle
A team of cycling bakers are pedalling off on a fundraising mission. A group of 13 workers from Kingsmill’s Cardiff bakery will cycle 55 miles along the Taff Trail from Cardiff Bay to Brecon to raise money for the Variety Club children’s charity.
Wales Online
20 Sep 2008 - Sir Cliff marks charts milestone
Sir Cliff Richard, 67, celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends yesterday. Cilla Black arrived with her regular date, Reading Football Club chairman John Madejski. Gloria Hunniford was also at the tribute event organised by the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
The Press and Journal
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
Yorkshire Post
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
The Press Association
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
Denbighshire Free Press
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
Bridlington Free Press
20 Sep 2008 - Cliff's 50 years at top celebrated
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends.
Offaly Express
19 Sep 2008 - Cliff celebrates 50 years at top of UK charts
Cliff Richard celebrated half a century at the top of the charts in the UK with a gathering of showbusiness friends today. Cilla Black, who caused a sensation on the catwalk this week when she showed off her shapely legs while wearing very little at a charity fashion show, opted for a rather more demure outfit at today’s event.
Breakingnews.ie
19 Sep 2008 - The Cherie and Cliff show! Mrs Blair helps Sir Richard celebrate 50 years of music
It was Congratulations... and Celebrations, as Sir Cliff Richard marked 50 years of music making today with a tribute lunch at The Dorchester in London. And helping him party was Cherie Blair, who in her eye catching metallic jacket nearly upstaged the man of honour himself.
Daily Mail Online
19 Sep 2008 - Cliff Richard celebrates 50 years in music
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends. Cilla Black, who caused a sensation on the catwalk this week when she showed off her shapely legs while wearing very little at a charity fashion show, opted for a rather more demure outfit at the event.
Yahoo UK News
19 Sep 2008 - Cliff Richard celebrates 50 years in music
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends. Cilla Black, who caused a sensation on the catwalk this week when she showed off her shapely legs while wearing very little at a charity fashion show, opted for a rather more demure outfit at the event.
Channel 4
19 Sep 2008 - Cliff celebrates 50 years at top of charts
Sir Cliff Richard celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends. Gloria Hunniford was also at the tribute event in London, organised by the Variety Club Children's Charity.
Metro
19 Sep 2008 - Cliff Richard celebrates 50 years in music (+ VIDEO)
Sir Cliff Richard has celebrated half a century at the top of the charts with a gathering of showbusiness friends. Cilla Black, who caused a sensation on the catwalk this week when she showed off her shapely legs while wearing very little at a charity fashion show, opted for a rather more demure outfit at the event.
ITN
19 Sep 2008 - Star-packed tribute for Sir Cliff
Singer Sir Cliff Richard has marked 50 years of chart success with a star-studded tribute in central London. Organised by children's charity the Variety Club, the event was attended by Cilla Black, Gloria Hunniford, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice.
BBC News
18 Sep 2008 - Laughs all the way as school gets new mini-bus
Coronation Street star Michael Starke brought a smile to children’s faces as they celebrated their school getting a new minibus. Rumworth School in Ladybridge, Bolton, bought the £35,000 vehicle to allow staff to take pupils on educational activity trips, including a yearly visit to France.
The Bolton News
17 Sep 2008 - 11 and 13 year-old questioned over Sandelford attacks
The shock over recent attacks at Sandelford School continues today. People in the Coleraine have been further disturbed by the revelation that children aged 11 and 13 years were arrested over the recent attacks at Sandelford School.
Read the full story
16 Sep 2008 - Variety’s Sandown Race Day (Radio Show Interview)
Variety Club’s Pip Burley highlights how Variety’s Sandown Race Day helps the charity to continue to support children and young people throughout the UK
Listen to the interview (Quicktime/iTunes audio format)
11 Sep 2008 - Young wheelchair athletes aspire to olympic skills
With the Paralympics in full swing budding disabled athletes turned out in force to showcase their skills in charity matches. Children with spinal injuries took part in wheelchair basketball, football and rugby at the Aspire National Training Centre, in Wood Lane, Stanmore, on Sunday. The afternoon of sporting fun was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Variety Club's Easy Riders Wheelchair Programme.
Harrow Observer
08 Sep 2008 - Entertainment of a very British variety
Audiences will be able to experience some traditional comedy when the Best of British Variety Tour stops in Wales. Karen Price takes a look at some of the old favourites who will be back in the spotlight
Read the full story
06 Sep 2008 - Win VIP trip to the dogs
Let's all go to the dogs! The Variety Club Children's Charity, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2009, is hosting its annual Greyhound Race Meeting at Wimbledon Stadium on Tuesday September 23.
Read the full story
03 Sep 2008 - Stars on show at Sandown
Celebrities were out in force on Saturday as the Variety Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with its annual charity raceday at Sandown Park. Just under 11,000 people filled the stands for their chance to see a host of famous faces from the world of film and television.
Read the full story
01 Sep 2008 - So, variety is the ice of life
Suzanne Shaw's appearance at Saturday's 50th anniversary Royal Variety Club race meeting at Sandown was a welcome distraction for the Dancing On Ice winner after her engagement to DJ boyfriend Jason 'JK' King.
Read the full story
01 Sep 2008 - Harriet Collins trapped as shutters come down on her photo opportunity
At the end of September Greenwood, Ellis and Partners, the Newmarket veterinary practice, will move into its state of the art equine hospital – just next to the roundabout for the National Stud and July Course.
Read the full story
01 Sep 2008 - Suzanne Shaw and Frankie Dettori at the races - Foto
Horse Racing - Variety Club Day - Sandown Park
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01 Sep 2008 - Suzanne Shaw at the races - Foto
Horse Racing - Variety Club Day - Sandown Park
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01 Sep 2008 - Crowds watch the racing - Foto
Horse Racing - Variety Club Day - Sandown Park
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01 Sep 2008 - Childrens characters are interviewed in the winners enclosure - Foto
Horse Racing - Variety Club Day - Sandown Park
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31 Aug 2008 - Sri Putra shines in Solario and now has Million on his mind
The sultan, an all-round sports fan, is also the 77-year-old head of state of Pahang, one of the13 states in federal Malaysia, a background in contrast to the upbringing and trade of The Cheka's owner, who grew up above his father's bookmaker's shop in Chiswick. That is the comedian, actor and film director Mel Smith, who would have been an appropriate winner on the 50th Variety Club fund-raising day at the Esher track.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Aileen's Sahara Trek
We then crossed over one last dune to see our camp and the finishing line in the distance. It was a fantastic feeling to know that we trekked over 100km to help sick and disadvantaged children for the Variety Club.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Charlton Star Is A Real Pro
The prize money is very good for what is normally not the best of the year's Sandown fixtures and this Variety Club day sees a fairly high standard of runner.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Peter Bolton
In the 1950s and 60s, Peter Bolton, who then lived in Wetherby and worked in Leeds, competed in many rallies and races including 20 Monte Carlo rallies and 10 24-hour Le Mans – best remembered as team leader for AC Cobra with co-drivers Ninian Sanderson and Jack Sears.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Weekend Racing Preview
A traditionally unremarkable weekend deserves greater scrutiny this year. Sandown’s Group Three betinternet Solario Stakes and tomorrow’s Group One Moyglare Stud Fillies’ Stakes on the Curragh aren’t great Classic guides. But the loss of the Acomb sees York’s intended protagonists illuminating the Solario, main event on Sandown’s Variety Club Charity card.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Shabiba strikes Sandown gold
Shabiba picked up well to pull away by a length and a quarter from Ada River and give trainer Marcus Tregoning the honour of receiving a prize from singer Suzanne Shaw, the star guest of Variety Club Day.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Sri Putra strikes for Jarvis and Robinson in Sandown feature
Shabiba picked up well to pull away by a length and a quarter from Ada River and give trainer Marcus Tregoning the honour of receiving a prize from singer Suzanne Shaw, the star guest of Variety Club Day.
Read the full story
30 Aug 2008 - Versatile star to shine at Sandown
Suzanne Shaw is delighted to be a special guest at the 50th anniversary of Sandown Park's Variety Club Raceday on Saturday.
Read the full story
29 Aug 2008 - Variety club show promises a cast of ‘all the talents’
Branscombe Variety Club are back with yet another season of entertainment. Amazingly this tiny group of local people have raised nearly £100,000 for local charties. This year, for their show on September 4, they have asked local entertainer Wally Cotgrave to gather a cast of "all the talents".
Read the full story
29 Aug 2008 - Sandown Betting: Variety Club rundown with Graham Cunningham
Tarby is the banker bet....but don't dismiss Rosaleen as the 'stars' hit Sandown. Forget the Olympic fallout, the American election and the credit crunch - the burning question this weekend relates to which celebrities will be on hand for Variety Club Day at Sandown.
Read the full story
29 Aug 2008 - Brave Daniel's lasting legacy
A brave teenager who lost his battle with cancer has left a lasting legacy for disabled footballers in South Tyneside. Among the thousands of pounds Daniel Squires left in his will to charities around the region, he bequeathed £3,741 to South Tyneside Football Trust to help out its wheelchair and disabled football teams.
Read the full story
28 Aug 2008 - Mourilyan on course for Melbourne
Mourilyan, described yesterday as a "seriously good horse" by his new trainer Gary Moore, brings an international flavour to Variety Club day at Sandown on Saturday. The much-travelled four-year-old stops off for a £100,000 handicap at the Esher track, but will soon be clocking up more air miles for a crack at the Melbourne Cup.
Read the full story
26 Aug 2008 - Sam out to grab next job vacancy
After a six-month break from the game, former Newcastle and Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is "itching" for a return to football. He applied for the Blackburn Rovers job in the summer but withdrew his application when he saw the signs were pointing towards the appointment of Paul Ince.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Amanda's hunt for a honey
Amanda Marchant may be singing about love in her new single with twin sister Sam, but the former Big Brother star has revealed that she's still looking for a special someone. Samanda have teamed up with the Honey Monster on the Honey Love record, in aid of children's charity The Variety Club.
Read the full story
22 Aug 2008 - Top Cats come out for big night
Sunderland football legends spanning half a century were out in force at the Stadium of Light for a major charity night. Len Ashurst, Bobby Kerr, Jimmy Montgomery, Gary Rowell, Marco Gabbiadini, Chris Turner, Paul Bracewell, Kevin Ball and Mick Horswill were among more than 300 guests at the Variety Club's Gala Dinner last night.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Charity honours work of Denise and Tim
Tim Healy and Denise Welch will be honoured at a glittering Variety Club lunch tribute next month. The popular couple will be joined by friends, family and a host of well- known faces at Newcastle Civic Centre on September 12.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Business to invest £½m in new fancy dress store
Superquickprint three years ago invested almost £½m in machinery to improve their printing operation. They supply printed material to a diverse range of businesses, among them football clubs Celtic, Hibs, Birmingham City and Fulham, the Variety Club of Scotland, Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce, and St Andrew’s Hospice, Airdrie.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Amanda's hunt for a honey
Amanda Marchant may be singing about love in her new single with twin sister Sam, but the former Big Brother star has revealed that she's still looking for a special someone. Samanda have teamed up with the Honey Monster on the Honey Love record, in aid of children's charity The Variety Club.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Catch The Krankies
Find out where you can see the famous comedy duo perform in the Best of British Variety Tour2008. The Best Of British Variety Tour 2008, presented by Tony Dentons Promotions, brings together the cream of variety entertainment from past decades.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Amanda's hunt for a honey
Amanda Marchant may be singing about love in her new single with twin sister Sam, but the former Big Brother star has revealed that she's still looking for a special someone. Samanda have teamed up with the Honey Monster on the Honey Love record, in aid of children's charity The Variety Club.
Read the full story
20 Aug 2008 - Honey Monster Records Charity Single with Samanda
The Honey Monster has shown that his taste for honey is not just limited to his breakfast cereal, as he has teamed up with the sweet voices of Big Brother 8 twins Sam and Amanda Marchant to record a charity single called ‘Honey Love’. ‘Honey Love’ will be available to download exclusively on iTunes from w/c 18th August and all the proceeds from the single will go to The Variety Club Children’s Charity.
Read the full story
22 Aug 2008 - The crew that's set for the big screen
A group of Nuneaton film fanatics is celebrating its first feature length movie making the big time after cinema bosses agreed to give it a special screening. All money raised will go to the Odeon's two chosen charities - the NSPCC and the Variety club children's charities.
Read the full story
21 Aug 2008 - Amanda's hunt for a honey
Amanda Marchant may be singing about love in her new single with twin sister Sam, but the former Big Brother star has revealed that she's still looking for a special someone. Samanda have teamed up with the Honey Monster on the Honey Love record, in aid of children's charity The Variety Club.
Read the full story
19 Aug 2008 - Diary: Stars' tribute to Sir Alex
Stars of sport, music and screen were lining up to pay tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson last night at a glittering dinner held in his honour. As manager of Manchester United, he's won it all - but last night it was Sir Alex in the spotlight when he was honoured by showbiz charity the Variety Club for his outstanding contribution to sport and charitable work.
Read the full story
13 Aug 2008 - Sharon a vital cog in Variety Club wheel
Last year Sharon Pereira took on a very special challenge to help raise funds for the Variety Club. She walked 100 miles across the Sahara Desert, raising £4,500.
Read the press clipping (PDF)
11 Aug 2008 - Cliff Richard Variety Club Tribute
Special guests will come out of the woodwork to pay tribute to Cliff Richard at the Variety Club’s 50th Anniversary Lunch. Cliff Richard has been in the charts since his debut single ‘Move It’ hit the number two spot in 1958.
Read the full story
28 Jul 2008 - Heartlessness of the metal thieves
Primary-school pupils in Monmouth were recently robbed of their end-of-year trip after thieves stole the exhaust system from their new adapted £30,000 minibus, awarded to them by the Variety Club, with half the cost of the vehicle met by Monmouth Rotary Club.
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21 Jul 2008 - Joseph - Lee Mead hangs up his multi-coloured coat
Since then, he has won the Variety Club prize for Outstanding New Talent and although nominated for a Whatonstage.com Award for Best Actor in a Musical, he narrowly missed out to Hairspray‘s Michael Ball.
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18 Jul 2008 - Lee Mead Removes West End
Mead was nominated for a Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance (narrowly missing out to Michael Ball for Hairspray) and won the Variety Club prize for Outstanding New Talent.
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18 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
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18 Jul 2008 - John gets chirpy in middle of duck race
Organising a charity challenge is water off a duck’s back to John Manning. He just calls on his showbiz pals – and 20 THOUSAND plastic ducks! Former Jamestown man John is behind this Sunday’s, massive Duck Race in aid of the Variety Club of Scotland.
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16 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
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16 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
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16 Jul 2008 - At Work: Fundraising - Celebrity watch - Lewis Hamilton
British Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton lent his support to the Variety Club's Brands Hatch Track Day earlier this month.
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11 Jul 2008 - Restaurant owner Robert is royally chuffed
The man behind the restoration of a Beech Hill landmark has been honoured by royalty. Restaurateur and entrepreneur, Robert Walton, collected an MBE from Prince Charles at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
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11 Jul 2008 - Pop Group Used By Entrepreneur
The Kent branch of the IoD is now taking team bookings for its annual Corporate Golf Day, to be held this year on Friday October 3, at the London Golf Club near Brands Hatch. This year's chosen charity, which will benefit from an auction held on the day, is the Variety Club.
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11 Jul 2008 - In praise of Sobell
The existing building, opened in 1973, was designed by Bill Laming, of Richard Seifert and Partners, who I understand gave their fees free to a project sponsored by the Variety Club of Great Britain.
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11 Jul 2008 - Defying a pod of whales
Marlow's Nick Berry defied a pod of killer whales to set a new British swimming record. The 22-year-old was part of a three-man team which swam from Spain to Morocco across the hazardous Straits of Gibraltar in three hours and 38 minutes to set a new British record.
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11 Jul 2008 - Defying a pod of whales
Marlow's Nick Berry defied a pod of killer whales to set a new British swimming record. The 22-year-old was part of a three-man team which swam from Spain to Morocco across the hazardous Straits of Gibraltar in three hours and 38 minutes to set a new British record.
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10 Jul 2008 - Callous thieves rob disabled kids
Heartless vandals have left a school minibus immobile, pupils at Overmonnow Primary School learned this week. Teachers arrived at work on Friday morning to find the exhaust and catalytic converter removed from the bus.
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09 Jul 2008 - Students conquer straits challenge
Three Oxford students dodged killer whales, huge ships and strong currents to smash the British record for swimming between Europe and Africa.
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09 Jul 2008 - Variety Club’s ‘Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids’ scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year
Since 1988 Variety has provided 3,270 wheelchairs, and the organisation does a great job by providing equipment and life changing educational and entertaining trips through its Variety at Work scheme.
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09 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set New British Record In Hazardous Straits Of Gibraltar Swim
A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record.
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09 Jul 2008 - A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record
The team from Oxford University completed this dangerous open water challenge in aid of the Variety Club Children's Charity. And even beat the time set by Little Britain star David Walliams and Olympic champion James Cracknell earlier this year by nearly an hour.
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09 Jul 2008 - Be first to see British movie - competition
The Variety Club Children's Charity and Blackpool Odeon are hosting an exclusive preview screening of the must-see new film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (cert 12A).
The Odeon is inviting guests to enter the world of Georgia Nicholson – based on the hugely successful series of novels by Louise Rennison.
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08 Jul 2008 - Uni swimmers snatch record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
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08 Jul 2008 - University swimmers take record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
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08 Jul 2008 - Trio Set New British Record In Charity Swim
Three Oxford University students set a new British record in a charity swim across the Straits of Gibraltar. The team completed the open water challenge in three hours and 38 minutes to raise more than £1,600 for the Variety Club Children's Charity.
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08 Jul 2008 - University swimmers take record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
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08 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set New British Record In Hazardous Straits Of Gibraltar Swim
A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record. The team from Oxford University completed this dangerous open water challenge in aid of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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07 Jul 2008 - Gosport Variety Club on Daily school run
A school charity for children with additional needs in Gosport has taken delivery of an Iveco Daily minibus donated by the Variety Club.
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04 Jul 2008 - Camden Town Unlimited Newsletter - 20 Years Of Easy Riders
What I'm not sure of is how many of you realise that the Variety Club is based in Camden Town.
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02 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set To Take On The Straits Of Gibraltar In Record Time
A trio of students from Oxford University's swimming team are set to swim across the Straits of Gibraltar in aid of the Variety Club Children's charity.
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01 Jul 2008 - Home town to host festival honouring 'the father of philanthropy'
...The festival also boasts its own mini film festival, which will feature a charity premiere of Taken – Liam Neeson's new movie – proceeds from which will go to the Variety Club and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. There will also be a special showcase for Napier University's own "screen academy".
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30 Jun 2008 - End of the Motson era
After more than 35 years as BBC Sport's voice of football, Sunday's Euro 2008 final from Vienna marked commentator John Motson's last major television showpiece.
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29 Jun 2008 - John Motson: The Full Motty
There is little mystery to his hold on public appeal. Whatever he says comes straight from the heart.
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28 Jun 2008 - Hamilton lends his support to the Variety Club
Lewis Hamilton has given his support to a special racing experience, organised by children’s charity The Variety Club, for eight lucky pupils at Brands Hatch next week.
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27 Jun 2008 - Sir Trevor Chinn appointed chair of Mayor's Fund for London
Boris Johnson has announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor’s Fund for London. The Mayor made the announcement during the State of London Debate.
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26 Jun 2008 - A Starry night out
Oh what a night! Variety Club celebrated Freddie Starr’s 50 years in showbusiness. Lyn Staunton from Variety Club worked very hard to put the whole night together.
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26 Jun 2008 - Huddersfield children join Harewood fun day
Youngsters from Huddersfield were among more than 400 children taking part in a fun day organised by the Yorkshire region of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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25 Jun 2008 - Boris Johnson today announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor's Fund for London
Boris Johnson today announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor’s Fund for London. The Mayor made the announcement during the State of London Debate.
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25 Jun 2008 - Helping keep the lives of others as sweet as possible
Nestle has made sweets in Halifax for decades - but the company is always looking for new community initiatives to support.
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25 Jun 2008 - Question Time, the BBC's premier political debate programme chaired by David Dimbleby, will be in Bexhill on Thursday 26 June.
The panel will include the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper, the Conservative shadow security minister Pauline Neville Jones, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for home affairs Chris Huhne, contemporary artist Grayson Perry and the veteran journalist Ann Leslie.
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24 Jun 2008 - Freddie's starry night
There were, thankfully, no maggots and only the tiniest mention of hamsters - but entertainer Freddie Starr was as unpredictable as ever as he celebrated 50 years in showbiz in Manchester.
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21 Jun 2008 - Top 5 for Kids: Childsplay: King Lear; The Emperor's new Kilt
Family Fun Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea. The Variety Club children's charity with an afternoon of events including bouncy castles, pottery painting, hoopla, uni-cyclists, break- dancing lessons, magicians, wall-climbing and more.
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20 Jun 2008 - Ex Banker back home after bike ride
Pedalling to Paris for charity. I have always enjoyed a good challenge and the thought of cycling from London to Paris in aid of the Variety Club seemed a splendid idea. Prior to commencing the journey we were advised to train but nothing could have prepared us for what was to come on the first two days.
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17 Jun 2008 - Chilling out for charity
Staff at a Carlisle travel agency plan to do their bit for charity with a sponsored 12-mile ice skate. Employees at Thomas Cook’s, English Street will attempt the feat in aid of the new Critical Care Unit at the Variety Club Children’s Hospital in London.
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16 Jun 2008 - Swimmers face Straits challenge
An intrepid trio of friends is set to tackle the 'Everest of open-water swimming' by crossing from Europe to Africa via the 22km-wide Straits of Gibraltar.
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16 Jun 2008 - Shoe recycling scheme opens
A Bredon shop owner is helping local residents to help others by recycling their unwanted shoes. Barry Young of Queensmead Stores has allowed a shoe collection point to be set up in the store. The footwear is sold on to third world countries where it is refurbished and resold at prices local people can afford.
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13 Jun 2008 - Variety the spice of life for Rachel
Derry woman Rachel Scarlett has gained a new perspective on life.
The 19 year-old, who has Larsen's Syndrome, is the proud owner of a new Hippo wheelchair thanks to the Variety Club Children's Charity.
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13 Jun 2008 - Variety Club Fun Day
On Sunday 22nd June, The Variety Club Children’s Charity is hosting a Family Fun Day for all families in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea (and beyond) to raise money to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.
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13 Jun 2008 - Region's property excellence recognised