Celebrities supporting Cancer Research UK

Celebrities join the fight for women's survival

Green Goddess Diana Moran, Nolan sister Anne Nolan and presenter and singer Mica Paris led a pick march through the streets of London to highlight the need for increases in breast cancer screening uptake and fundraising. The celebrity supporters joined women from around the UK, including Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Rachel Scandling, to launch Cancer Research UK's "Join the fight for women's survival" campaign. The procession brought together 46 participants, all of whom have been affected by the disease, representing the 46,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK.

Diana Moran, who like Anne Nolan is a breast cancer survivor, said: "It's remarkable to see so many people come together to join the fight for women's survival. The pink march was very good fun and really uplifting for all the women involved, but it also had a really serious message behind it. It’s worrying that half the women in central London don't attend their screenings and my message to all women out there is; don't ignore screening invitations. We can all join the fight for women's survival by helping to raise funds for important research - we can all do something, from donating £2 a month to organising a pink party."

Other celebrities supporting the Join The Fight for women's survival campaign include Cancer Research UK's Breast Cancer Awareness Patron Nicole Kidman, Dame Judi Dench, who has designed an exclusive rubber duck for this year's campaign, Twiggy, Gloria Hunniford and Meera Syal.

Dame Judi Dench said: "I was really delighted to get involved with Cancer Research UK and the charity's breast cancer awareness campaign. I know first hand what a devastating disease cancer is and I hope that the Judi duck will help raise awareness as well as funds for Cancer Research UK's life saving work. I encourage all women to attend screening when invited and be aware of their bodies. We should all Join the fight for women's survival."

Zoe and Ebony call for more charity donations

TV presenter Zoe Salmon bowled over passing shoppers in a charity shop window when she spent a morning as a live mannequin in Cancer Research UK's Marylebone shop window, helping to launch a new campaign which urges people to donate goods they no longer want to the charity's stock-starved shops. Zoe, wearing a replica of the shirt worn by the England Cricket players, was joined in the shop window by England Women's Cricketer Ebony Jewel Rainford-Brent.

Zoe said: "Everyone is justifiably going cricket mad at the moment, but if people were as enthusiastic as the ECB about donating stock to Cancer Research UK's shops, we could help raise significant funds to beat cancer. I've got loads of things in my wardrobe that no longer suit me but may suit others.Cancer Research UK shops can supply you with donation bags so you can clear out your wardrobe and drop off your gear ready for sorting and re-selling at one of the charity's 600 shops. It's an easy way to tidy up your closet while helping to fund research into a disease that affects one in three people."

Busking Cancer

Legendary rocker Rod Stewart and Madness frontman Suggs helped turn the Thames into a rock ‘n roll river at a unique waterborne busking gig this June. At the launch event for Busking Cancer 2009, onboard HMS Belfast, the crowd was treated to exclusive performances from Suggs and members of Madness, Mutya Buena, Skye Edwards, Zarif (fresh from supporting Beyonce on tour), the Charlie Rivers Band and Minus IQ. Busking Cancer supporters Ciaran Jeremiah, Dan Gillespie Sells and Paul Stewart of The Feeling also attended the event.

Busking Cancer, supported by guitar giants Fender, is a nationwide "gig" where bands, musicians and singers perform anywhere on the streets of Britain to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Rod Stewart and Suggs are joint patrons of the event.

Rod Stewart, who has had five decades of hits and survived thyroid cancer, urged musicians to get out and play. He said: "Busking is what music is all about - just getting out there and singing or playing for the sheer joy of it. You don't have to be a great singer or the best musician - you just have to entertain people. And if you can earn a few quid for Cancer Research UK - a few quid that might just help to save someone's life - what could be better?"

Suggs said: "The beauty of Busking Cancer is that it’s really easy - get your act together, register with Cancer Research UK and go busk - it really is as simple as that."

Race For Life

Race For Life season is well underway, and "Team Celebrity" is as strong as ever! Paula Radcliffe, Amy Lame, Sarah Greene, Korin Nolan, Sasha Parker and Beth Palmer all took part in our launch Race For Life event at Battersea. Strictly Come Dancing's Kristina Rihanoff cheered on participants at Regents Park whilst Martin Clunes started his local Race For Life in Dorchester. At City of London Leanne Grose gave an inspiring speech to the crowd, which in included The Apprentice star Claire Young, and NBA basketball star Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who also started the event. Phoebe Thomas celebrated coming first at her local Enfield event, Coronation Street actress Vicky Binns and Hollyoaks' Nicole Barber-Lane both took part at Manchester, and Loose Women presenter Carol McGiffin started and took part at Maidstone. In Scotland Lorraine Kelly participated at Dundee whilst Carol Smillie took part in her local Glasgow event. This year for the first time Hyde Park became a Race For Life venue. Gloria Hunniford, Patron of Cancer Research UK's Race For Life, gave an inspiring speech on the day to the event participants which included celebrity supporters Liz McClarnon, Linda Barker, Arabella Weir, Rebekah Gibbs and Claire Richards.

Atomic Kitten singer and celebrity Masterchef winner Liz McClarnon showcased her artistic talents by designing a must-have limited edition Race For Life T-shirt for 2009. Liz said: "I was inspired after I took part in Race for Life last year and I wanted my design to be a celebration of life with a bright, vibrant splash of colour. The florals represent femininity, while the clustered and intertwined flowers symbolise the thousands of women of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds coming together as one to make a big impact for a fantastic cause. I'm really proud to have designed the Race for Life 2009 t-shirt. I hope it helps to raise lots of money for Cancer Research UK and encourages even more women to sign up for a Race for Life event this year and support the charity’s life-saving work."

As part of this year's Race For Life "If I Can Do It" campaign Lynda Bellingham, Diana Moran, Rebekah Gibbs, Amy Lame, Ruth Lorenzo and Laila Morse all posed as part of a live "UnUsual Suspects" poster to demonstrate that women of all ages, shapes and sizes and from all walks of life can take part in their local Race for Life and that 5k is a perfectly achievable distance and anyone can walk, jog or run it

Christopher Bigginsand Kevin Adams also supported the campaign and paid tribute to the inspirational women in their lives by strapping on a pair of high heels for a walk of empathy in support of the Race for Life 2009 series.

Little Star Awards Party

Twenty-three brave children from all over the UK were the guests of honour at the first Little Stars party at London Zoo. The event, held in partnership with TK Maxx, was organised to salute the courage of all children who are diagnosed with cancer.

The 23 Little Stars and their families, who came together as "ambassadors" to represent the 300 children who received Little Star Awards in 2008/9, were entertained by wonderful performances from X factor Runner up brother and sister duo Same Difference and Britain's Got Talent ventriloquist Gareth Oliver. They also got the chance to meet BBC presenters Angellica Bell and Michael Underwood, Lil' Chris and the Big Brother twins Sam and Amanda Marchant AKA " Samanda".

The event helped raise awareness of children's cancers and the Cancer Research UK's groundbreaking work in the field of childhood cancer research.

Other celebrities supporting the Little Stars Awards 2008/2009 are Leona Lewis, Doctor Who star David Tennant, Britain's Got Talent winner George Sampson, TV presenters Zoe Salmon and Konnie Huq, Evita star Seamus Cullen, Arsenal footballers Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy and Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The Cancer Research UK Little Star Awards are open to all under-17s who have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years. The Little Star Awards will be opening for nominations once more in November 2009.

Chelsea Flower Show

In May Cancer Research UK unveiled its seventh garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. The garden was designed by Robert Myers and celebrated the enormous impact the charity has made in beating cancer.

Celebrity supporters who stopped by to admire the garden included Sienna Miller, Will Young, Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter and Dame Helen Mirren.

"It certainly had an 'impact' on me ! It’s beautiful" - Sienna Miller

"Perfect theme and wonderfully done" - Philip Schofield

"Well done for making a maximum impact" - Helena Bonham Carter

"A very beautiful, considered and zestful space"- Lawrence and Jackie Llewellyn-Bowen

"I’m delighted to support this wonderful garden in memory of my mother who died of cancer, much love" - Floella Benjamin

London Marathon

This year Ronan Keating again took to the streets of London to take part in his second London Marathon in aid or Cancer Research UK.Other celebrities joining Ronan were Nell McAndrew, who with a record time of just over 3 hours and 10 minutes was the first celebrity runner to pass the finish line, Apprentice winner Lee McQueen, Stereophonics drummer, Javier Weyler, Sky Weather presenter Isobel Lang, ITV weather's Becky Mantin, DJ Kate Lawler, actor Andy Newton-Lee and sports presenter Charlie Webster, who ran in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund.

Sound & Vision

The fourth annual Sound & Vision, Cancer Research UK's event that celebrates music, the people who make it and the images it inspires, took place at Abbey Road studios in February 2009.

Paul Weller, Kelly Jones, Lemar and Diana Jones played intimate live music sets to an audience of 400, with Absolute Radio broadcasting the event to a national audience. Sound & Vision Patron Bob Harris hosted the evening with Dermot O'Leary and the event was also attended by Sir George Martin, Sound & Vision Founder Patron.

Bob Harris, a cancer survivor himself, said:"Being diagnosed with cancer is a life-changing experience. It gave me an insight into the huge advances being made through research to eradicate this awful disease that affects so many people. Fundraising is paramount for this vital research to continue, which is why I'm delighted to be involved."

The exhibition included exclusive lots of signed and limited edition prints by leading photographers such as Gered Mankowitz, David Bailey and Terry O'Neill, as well as a live auction of music memorabilia. The event raised £200,000 for Cancer Research UK's life-saving work.