Celebrity supporters in 2006

A host of celebrities including Kylie Minogue and BRIT Award-winning soul singer Lemar (right) supported Cancer Research UK's Little Star Awards in 2006.

The awards seek to reward the courage of individual children from across the UK while promoting greater awareness of children's cancers.

Other celebrities who put their name to the certificate included England and Chelsea football ace Ashley Cole and Blue Peter presenters Zoe Salmon and Konnie Huq.

Cancer Research UK's Little Star awards are open to all children aged 16 and under who have survived cancer or are currently undergoing treatment for the disease. Each and every child nominated receives the award and special gifts.

Legendary comic John Cleese (left) gave his backing to a Christmas CD to aid Cancer Research UK.

The CD is the creation of father and son Jonathan and Chris Manners from Weston Super Mare who have both fought cancer. The impressive line-up includes the former harpist to Prince Charles, Catrin Finch, and carols by the organist at St Paul's Cathedral, Malcolm Archer, Andrew Johnstone who is assistant director of music at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, and Howard Goodall, who composed the theme tunes to BBC TV shows The Vicar of Dibley, 2.4 Children and Blackadder.

The CD, entitled What Sweeter Music, was released on 23 November, priced £10. It is available in shops and via the website.

Cleese said: "We've all been touched in some way by the destructive force of cancer, either as a patient, or had a family member, or close friend who is a sufferer.

"Supporting the work of research charities is an investment in all our futures. That's why I am delighted to support this CD of Christmas carols, which is raising funds for Cancer Research UK. Jonathan and his friends have worked hard to produce this wonderful CD, and I hope you enjoy it - knowing that you are also helping this great cause."

Nicole Kidman (right, credit: PA News) proudly unveiled a giant pink ribbon on the Stardome at London’s Madame Tussauds to launch Cancer Research UK’s campaign for breast cancer awareness month. Nicole took part in a photocall on-the-day and an exclusive TV interview.

Nicole Kidman said: “I am honoured to mark the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and launch Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer campaign.

"As someone whose family has personally been affected by the disease, I can’t stress enough how important it is that women get to know and understand what is normal for their body. I hope that this Cancer Research UK campaign will raise awareness of breast cancer amongst women of all ages and encourage them to report any unusual changes and go for screening if they’re over 50. Together we will beat cancer."

Cancer Research UK are extremely thankful to Nicole for all her kind support, time and dedication.

Madonna (right) kindly lent her name to our All Join Together campaign for breast cancer awareness month in October 2006. She joined film star Cate Blanchett in aligning herself to the charity for the first time.

Other big names on board included Jemma Kidd, Tamara and Petra Ecclestone, TV star Lisa Faulkner, Emmerdale girls Adele Silva and Verity Rushworth (left) and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon.

Cilla Black was appointed President of Friends of Cancer Research UK. Cilla, whose husband Bobby died in 1999 after a long battle with liver and lung cancer, became the public face of the new Friends of Cancer Research UK programme, which was launched to provide recognition and thanks to supporters. Cilla’s first engagement within her new role was to host a dinner for supporters in London in September.

32 year old cancer survivor Findlay Young (right) took on an around-the-world run for Cancer Research UK and attracted an army of celebrity fans for his awe-inspiring feat. Offering touching quotes of support for his epic journey of 24 half marathons in 24 consecutive days were David Blaine, David Walliams, Paula Radcliffe, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Lord Sebastian Coe, James Cracknell, Jonathan Edwards, Sir Chris Bonnington, Bear Grylls and Mike Noel-Smith.

Green Goddess Diana Moran (left) successfully led the Guinness World Record attempt for the largest Simultaneous Stretch, to celebrate the biggest Race for Life series ever on 4th June 2006. Patron of Race For Life, Gloria Hunniford (below), also launched the City of London Race for Life, as part of One Big Day which saw over 115,000 women taking part in 24 different venues across the country.

Other celebrities taking part on the day included Linda Barker, Running Ambassador Nell McAndrew, Lucy Evangelista (Miss UK), TV weathergirl Lara Lewington, Emma Greenwood from Big Brother, Michelle Dewberry of The Apprentice and the lovely Sarah Greene.

We are also extremely thankful for the outstanding contribution and support from Jenny Frost, Shaznay Lewis, Arabella Weir, Estelle, Pooja Shah, Liz Fuller, Jo Frost (Supernanny) and Michelle Gayle who were all heavily involved in media activity in support of Race for Life 2006.

A big thank you to Nigel Havers (right) who kindly agreed to give a reading as guest of honour at an Evensong service for cancer patients, their families and volunteers at Salisbury cathedral in September 2006.

TV presenter Ruby Wax (right) and celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo (below) showed their support for the charity by attending the “Ultimate Challenge”, the annual It’s a Knockout style event organised by the Mothers and Daughters committee in aid of The Bobby Moore Fund.

Throughout the day teams competed against each other in exciting challenges such as "the amazing slippery wall" and "the Bondi Beach surf challenge". The event, held at Haberdasher’s Aske’s school in North London, raised over £185,000 for Cancer Research UK’s vital life saving work.

In 2006, actress Rita Tushingham (right) and her daughter Aisha Bicknell supported Cancer Research UK's Relay for Life, taking part in media interviews to raise awareness.

Relay For Life is a unique event in which teams of friends, colleagues or family members get together to relay around a track, taking turns to walk the course for the duration of the event (between 12 and 24 hours). 46 Relay For Life events took place across the UK in 2006, with over 8,000 people raising £800,000 for Cancer Research UK’s work to help beat cancer.

Rita and Aisha are both strong supporters of the charity following Aisha's breast cancer diagnosis in 2005. Now she has finished her treatment, both mother and daughter are keen to encourage fundraising for the research they feel Aisha has benefited from.

The Bobby More Fund for Cancer Research UK teamed up with EJ Churchill Shooting Ground for a clay shoot with a difference: as well as a great day’s shooting, all those taking part had the chance to mix with celebrities including, David Seaman MBE, James Hickman, Mike Catermole, Richard Dunwoody MBE, Martin Bayfield, Linda Lusardi and husband Sam Kane. The day raised over £66,000 which will fund vital research into bowel cancer.

Ronan Keating (left) has been urging the UK public to take five minutes and find out more about how to live a healthier life by visiting one of the mobile cancer awareness units touring the UK funded by Cancer Research UK together with the Marie Keating Foundation.

The mobile units are targeting the general public with cancer prevention information, highlighting how to reduce your cancer risk. Each unit is staffed by a nurse and will visit the areas where research has shown there is a greater concentration of lifestyle related cancers.