Last night's 200 Club networking event was a great success and we'd like to thank everyone for coming down.

All guests enjoyed the fantastic presentation given by Nellie Shepherd, who came along to publically launch Ard Aid - her very own exciting concept to raise money for the Five Stars Appeal, along with four other children's charities.

The idea of Art Aid is that anyone can draw and sell their art, for only £2 per picture, no matter how good your artistic skills are! 

Every guest at our event drew their own picture to sell to another guest, all raising money for the Five Stars Appeal!

Please visit her websites for more information and how to get involved and help to spread the word of Art Aid!  Click here for more details.

We would also like to thank Julie Pickford and her team at 'The Light' hotel who provided refreshments in their beautiful venue for all our guests, and Laura of Airy Fairy Cupcakes for bringing along a selection of her delicious cupcakes, please click here to visit their website.

In August of this year Hayley and David will be flying to Tanzania in Africa to complete the amazing accomplishment of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the highest point in Africa. They have kindly decided to do this in aid of the Five Stars Appeal.

This gruelling trek will take a total of 7 days (Yes 7 days on a mountain, with no showers or toilets!!!!). Conditions on the mountain will be really tough, with temperatures reaching around -30 near the summit. They have both been training really hard over the past few months, in their words, 'Watching endless Ray Mears and Bear Grylls Documentary's to have the best chance of survival!!!!!'

Please support them as they complete this incredible journey by sponsoring them, just visit their JustGiving page below.

http://www.justgiving.com/David-Hayley

The Five Stars Team would like to thank Business Consort, who will be held their annual charity golf day, on Thursday 8th July, at Styal Golf Club, in aid of the Five Stars Appeal.

The day will included lunch on arrival, an 18 hole round of golf and finished with refreshments and a prize draw and awards in the clubhouse. They managed to raise over £400 for the appeal.

The BBQ and Disco arranged by Jan Berrington to honour Jason Orange's 40th birthday was a huge success, raising a total of £435 for the Five Stars Scanner Appeal - plus Gift Aid.

Held at Lancashire County Cricket Club on Saturday 10th July, guests enjoyed a two course indoor BBQ, disco and mini auction.  Jason's dad, Tony Orange came along to show his support by helping with the auction.

The Five Stars Team would like to say a big Thank You to Jan Berrington and everyone involved.

Nellie Shepherd is probably the most creative children's birthday party designer in the country and she certainly does have  the years of experience & famous clients to warrant this title.

In 2004 Nellie Shepherd became Madonna’s party designer and MC;  designing, organizing and running the launch party for Madonna’s first children’s book,  “The English Roses”,  at The Roof Gardens Kensington. Her events are considered second to none and everyone who attends them is enchanted. Nellie has run over 2000 children’s designer parties and continues to amaze. Just recently she has even been creating for Jk Rowling herself, amongst many other well known names.

Nellie has now decided to use her talents and success to help fundraising for children's charities, the first one being The Five Stars Appeal, by setting up 'ART AID'.

In her own words here is Nellie's ART AID idea:

My Art Aid mission is: to raise 5 million pounds for 5 children's charities - 1 million for each charity. YOU can help me to do this without it costing you a penny!

How? Well it's simple:

1: Draw or paint a picture (this picture becomes your Art Aid picture)

2: Sell your Art Aid picture for £2!  (to whoever you want to have your ART AID picture) Maybe your mum, or best friend or next door neighbour?

3: Give that £2 back to www.justgiving.com/ArtAid

4: When you go round to anyone's house, make sure they have an Art Aid picture on their wall!

5: I will be choosing 5 children's charities. All Art Aid money will go to helping children have a better, happier & more creative life! The first children's charity that I have chosen is Five Stars, they really need our first million to buy a much needed scanner to save many children's lives.

6: Why not have an Art Aid party! Draw & sell your Art Aid pictures. Great idea for schools too, could have your own Art Aid exhibitions!

7: If you want your Art Aid picture to be shown on this site, then please email your Art Aid & I will add to our gallery!

My email address is: www.nellieshepherd@me.com

The Five Stars team would like to say a massive Thank You to the Churchwood Finance Group for holding an employee fun day on Friday 11th June to launch their official involvement with the Five Stars Scanner Appeal. The day was a huge success raising the grand total of £1,400! 

The theme of the fun day was the launch of the World Cup. Each department dressed themselves and their areas as a qualifying World Cup country. They also held a number of raffles and competitions including a Director Penalty Shoot Out, a Pin the Tail on the Mexican Donkey and a World Cup Sweepstake.

Paul Naden, Group CEO commented saying,

“The charity is one that is very close to my heart. I believe in corporate responsibility and feel it is important for us at Churchwood that we can raise funds and awareness for this great charity. I was attracted to Five Stars, not only because of all the good work they do, but also because they have welcomed our involvement at a people level and are happy for our employees to give their time to the charity as well as just raising funds.”

Churchwood Finance Group is a leading financial solutions provider based in Stockport, Cheshire. They provide a wealth of debt solutions and have helped more than 70,000 people get their finances back on track. www.churchwoodfinance.co.uk

Stuart Roberts and David Collins have bravely decided to take on the challenge of cycling all the way from the centre of Manchester to the Eiffel Tower in Pairs on behalf of the Five Stars Appeal.

Beginning on the 7th August, they will start out in the centre of Manchester and head to Derby, there next stops will be Northampton, Wembley and Newhaven, where they will catch a ferry over to Dieppe on the 11th August. After spending a night in Gourney-en Brey to re charge their batteries they will then cycle the final leg to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, hopefully arriving on 12th August.

The Five Stars Appeal is a charity selected by the two men as it is raising for a money for a cause close to their hearts, raising money to help young children. David Collins was born in St Mary's Hospital where he had to be placed in the special care baby unit as he was born very premature. Stuart works with children in care and has a passion for the development of young people.

If you would like to sponsor David and Stuart as they take on this amazing mission please visit their just giving page at the link below

http://www.justgiving.com/manchester2paris

Here at the Five Stars Team we would like to wish the boys the best of luck!!!

The Five Stars team would like to say a huge thank you to the boys of the Kyushinkai Martial Arts Club in Telford, who took on and completed the Three Peaks Challange raising just over £2,500 in the process.

To complete the challenge the boys had to climb the three highest peaks in Great Britain, Ben Nevis, Scarfel Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours. This included 1000 miles drive, 25 miles walking and over 10,000 ft of climbing. After starting out on the 29th May they finished 23 hours and 39 minutes later.

Of the 14 who started, all the 14 completed the challenge, and luckily are still all in one piece!!

The Five Stars Appeal would like to say a big thank you to Bradley Coomer who ran this years London Marathon in aid of the Five Stars Scanner Appeal.

After years of being on the waiting list to finally gain his place to run the marathon, he successfully completed the marathon, raising a fantastic £1,016.

Greg Mallarkey of Blue Gate Capital To Ride 1000 Miles To Raise Funds For Five Stars.

Greg Says,

I have been persuaded by my colleagues at work to go on a long cycle ride  - 1,000 miles in fact from Land’s End to John O’Groats.  They insist I go as soon as possible and I will therefore be on my way on the 2 June.  Although my colleagues are happy for me not to fix a return date I know they will miss me and therefore I have set a target to complete the ride in 9 days which will require me to complete an average of 110 miles per day.

In order to incentivise me to complete the ride I have decided to try and raise some money on the way by sponsorship donations for the very deserving Five Stars Charity appeal.  If you would like to support my efforts please visit www.justgiving.com/gregmullarkey where you will be able to find out more about the charity and also pledge your donation.

Target £2500

Raised so far £370

Greg Mallarkey

Blue Gate Capital Limited

T   01618195280

W  www.bluegatecapital.co.uk

Football Stars Cook Off At Panacea Alderley

Please contact Nicola@fivestarsappeal.co.uk if you would like to receive information on the next Panacea Cook Off.

Previously:

TASTY TRIUMPH FOR MAN CITY’S TEAM

FOOTBALL STARS HELP RAISE NEARLY £60,000 FOR THE FIVE STARS APPEAL.

A team of footballers headed up by Shay Given are at the top of the culinary league, after thrashing the opposition 2-1 in a unique cookery showdown. 

The 12 football stars took part in an exclusive Premiership Cook Off event at Panacea Bar and Restaurant in Alderley Edge, sponsored by Bentley Manchester, to raise funds for local charity the Five Stars Appeal.

The two teams went head to head in the kitchen where the likes of Wayne Bridge and Micah Richards took a blow torch to a brulee and Carlo Nash plus Nigel de Jong got cheeky with a Bellini cheesecake.

The footballers, wearing pristine chef whites without a grass stain in sight, cooked and served three courses and cocktails to the lucky guests.  After each course diners voted for their favourite dish, which resulted in Shaun’s Team bringing home the cup while Carlo’s Team  were handed a red card.

The evening was hosted by Robbie Savage and ex Manchester City player Nicky Summerbee, who had the guests eating out of their hands as they exchanged some lively banter with the football stars while interviewing them for the cameras.

Guests enjoyed being served delicious cocktails by ladies’ favourite Roque Santa Cruz while Wigan’s Titus Bramble did an amazing job serving up the culinary delights.

The auction was kicked off by Key103’s Mike Toolan and Hugh Ferris who whipped up a frenzy of excitement.  Prizes included a Ricky Hatton Training Day bought by Shaun Wright-Phillips for £4,600 and a Rob Lloyd Racing Day bought by Roque Santa Cruz for £2,100.

Harvey Nichols provided luxury goody bags and ex Manchester City player Jim Whitley provided the entertainment by showing off his vocal skills.

Once the auction had ended the guests and footballers enjoyed a VIP after party, cheering on Shaun Wright-Phillips as he took to the decks as DJ for the night.

Joe Akka, Managing Director for Panacea, comments: “It was an absolutely fantastic evening and the players proved they are every bit as good in the kitchen as they are on the football field. We are delighted at the success of the event”

- Ends -

Notes to editors: Picture courtesy of Eamonn Clarke

Teams:

Team 1

Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Bridge in the kitchen

Adam Johnson and Nigel de Jong in the restaurant

Roque Santa Cruz and Javier Garrido behind the bar

Team 2

Carlo Nash and Micah Richards in the kitchen

Titus Bramble and Ibrahima Sonko in the restaurant

Sanli Tuncay and Shay Given behind the bar

For further information please contact Nicola Smith, Corporate Fundraiser for the Five Stars Scanner Appeal on 0161 798 8936/0789 9971000 or by emailing Nicola@fivestarsappeal.co.uk

The Five Stars Appeal had over 30 runners in the Manchester BUPA run, who between them raised over £6000. A special celebration party was held after the run, courtesy of Bijou, who provided drinks, sweets for the kids, a BBQ and a delicious selection of fruits as well as some groovy tunes in very comfortable surroundings. 

Five Stars Trustee Fran Eccles-Bech took the prize for 'most money raised' as she brought in a staggering £1,250. And Andrew Bottomley took 1st prize for 'fastest time' crossing the finish line in just 41 minutes.

Pictures and a list of runners will be added to the website this week so come back soon!

We joined forces with the gorgeous Harley Slack and his lovely family who are raising funds to provide Harley with new prosthetics on an annual basis. Harley Slack was struck down with meningitis B (Meningococcal septicaemia). As a result of this both of Harley's arms and legs were amputated in order to save his life. He is now being cared for at the new Royal Manchester Children's hospital where he is likely to be until the end of the year. The Harley Slack Fund has been setup with the sole purpose of raising funds to give him his life back. Harley is going to need new Prosthetics roughly twice a year at the approximate cost of £120,000 a time, due to his growing needs. This does not include any future specialist care he may need.

For further information and to support Harley's cause please visit www.harleyslack.org. 

Maddi Allan's uncle Simon and Micro P have raised over £4000 by taking part in the Wilmslow Run 2010.

A big thank you to Micro P and the runners - Gerry O'Keeffe; Dawn Aspden; kathryn Fallon; Dave Sherriff; Nick Foster; Kirsty Taylor; Andrew Graham; Joanne Reid; Steve Townsley

Alderley Edge author Malcolm McClean set off on an unusual journey on May 1st, which will saw him cycle from an ‘End’ to an ‘Edge’, raising cash for the Five Stars Scanner Appeal along the way.

He says “I just didn’t have the time to go from Land’s End to John O’Groats so I set about inventing a new challenge. I liked the idea of combining two places which you could reach and not go any further without falling off. When I noticed that there was a house near my home called ‘Edge End’ it felt like it was meant to be”.

View Malcolm's Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/malcolm-mcclean

Gordon Brown offered to help  the Five Stars Appeal with fundraising when he met Alison Foster and Nicola Smith at BBC Radio Lancashire yesterday. Alison (Maddi's Nana) and Nicola were invited on to Sally Naden's show to help promote little Maddi's Quid for a Kid campaign and were surprised to find that the third guest on the show was none other than British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

As Five Stars Appeal aims to raise £1million to buy a new MRI scanner for the New Children's Hospital it was fitting that MRI scanner inventor Sir Peter Mansfield, 75, was handed this year's Lifetime Achievement Award by Gordon Brown and wife Sarah. The PM told him: "There's not much better than winning a Nobel Prize - except for winning a Pride of Britain award."

Mr.Brown has pledged that steps will be taken to cut down on waiting time for screenings as he is very much aware that peoples lives will be saved if detection of illness is quicker.

Between talks on the radio he asked Alison how Maddi was doing and asked Nicola to send him a letter so that he and Sarah can help towards the fundraising activity.

To listen to the full interview please click on the link below.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p004nrly/Sally_Naden_15_10_2009

TASTY TRIUMPH FOR MAN CITY’S TEAM

FOOTBALL STARS HELP RAISE NEARLY £60,000 FOR THE FIVE STARS APPEAL.

A team of footballers headed up by Shay Given are at the top of the culinary league, after thrashing the opposition 2-1 in a unique cookery showdown. 

The 12 football stars took part in an exclusive Premiership Cook Off event at Panacea Bar and Restaurant in Alderley Edge, sponsored by Bentley Manchester, to raise funds for local charity the Five Stars Appeal.

The two teams went head to head in the kitchen where the likes of Wayne Bridge and Micah Richards took a blow torch to a brulee and Carlo Nash plus Nigel de Jong got cheeky with a Bellini cheesecake.

The footballers, wearing pristine chef whites without a grass stain in sight, cooked and served three courses and cocktails to the lucky guests.  After each course diners voted for their favourite dish, which resulted in Shaun’s Team bringing home the cup while Carlo’s Team  were handed a red card.

The evening was hosted by Robbie Savage and ex Manchester City player Nicky Summerbee, who had the guests eating out of their hands as they exchanged some lively banter with the football stars while interviewing them for the cameras.

Guests enjoyed being served delicious cocktails by ladies’ favourite Roque Santa Cruz while Wigan’s Titus Bramble did an amazing job serving up the culinary delights.

The auction was kicked off by Key103’s Mike Toolan and Hugh Ferris who whipped up a frenzy of excitement.  Prizes included a Ricky Hatton Training Day bought by Shaun Wright-Phillips for £4,600 and a Rob Lloyd Racing Day bought by Roque Santa Cruz for £2,100.

Harvey Nichols provided luxury goody bags and ex Manchester City player Jim Whitley provided the entertainment by showing off his vocal skills.

Once the auction had ended the guests and footballers enjoyed a VIP after party, cheering on Shaun Wright-Phillips as he took to the decks as DJ for the night.

Joe Akka, Managing Director for Panacea, comments: “It was an absolutely fantastic evening and the players proved they are every bit as good in the kitchen as they are on the football field. We are delighted at the success of the event”

- Ends -

Notes to editors:

Teams:

Team 1

Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Bridge in the kitchen

Adam Johnson and Nigel de Jong in the restaurant

Roque Santa Cruz and Javier Garrido behind the bar

Team 2

Carlo Nash and Micah Richards in the kitchen

Titus Bramble and Ibrahima Sonko in the restaurant

Sanli Tuncay and Shay Given behind the bar

For further information please contact Nicola Smith, Corporate Fundraiser for the Five Stars Scanner Appeal on 0161 798 8936/0789 9971000 or by emailing Nicola@fivestarsappeal.co.uk

Stop The Press! Fran to run the 10K....Fran Eccles-Bech, Executive Director of Manchester Law Society and Trustee of Five Stars Appeal will run the 10k to raise funds....Help Fran reach her target by donating at http://www.justgiving.com/Fran-Eccles-Bech.

Read Fran's letter below...

After the last 10K I did two years ago for cancer research, after my mum died, I said I would NEVER do another one!!

How little did I know that the Five Stars Appeal would creep into my heart  and I would become a Trustee and agree, obviously in a weaker moment, to do the Manchester 10k this year!

I know that everyone gets so many requests for support for donations to charities and if you are not able to help me please don't worry.  If you can, whatever you can donate is going to be so gratefully received by the children and their families.

I became a Trustee of this charity as I am well aware of how very lucky I am to have a good job, wonderful family and great friends and I really did want to give something back, but to a cause that is near to my heart.  Having a healthy (but very annoying and hormonal) 14 year old is a gift really.  Jack has never had to go into hospital or been really ill but I know that should anything happen to him I would be devastated so what better charity to become part of than one that is helping really poorly children.

Every year nearly 200,000 children suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses in the North West and beyond receive treatment at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.  For thirty years this charity has been raising funds and providing the hospital with essential equipment and refurbishments.  To ensure that the children receive the best possible care it is vital that the hospital has access to the latest technology.

Our current project is named the Five Stars Scanner Appeal and aims to raise £1M for a new MRI scanner.  The existing scanner was provided by ourselves 10 years ago under the appeal name of The Bryan Robson Scanner Appeal.  Technology has since moved on and the new scanners are less frightening for the children.  The new equipment will cut the time of a standard scan from 45 minutes to 15 minutes and will aid doctors in diagnosing cancer and cancer related illnesses more quickly, enabling them to provide early treatment that will ultimately save children’s lives.

To date we have raised £600,000 and so we need to raise in the region of £400,000 to hit our £1million target.

We have the skills and we have the support of a great many people but we need all the help we can find to reach the target sum and help make life better for many thousands of children and young people now and in the future.  With your help, we can make it happen.

I want to really "run" the run so to speak so I am starting personal training sessions on Monday 15th March and on this day am also GIVING UP SMOKING!!!!  This is going to be a MASSIVE personal challenge, and combined with a 10k run in eight weeks, I can well and truly say I am giving my all for the charity!!!!!  Any support you can give is really appreciated.  

If you want to visit the Five Stars web site to find out more please click here

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now and help all those little people to become big people

http://www.justgiving.com/Fran-Eccles-Bech

With my love, thanks and best wishes

Fran xxx

Mike Alden from Micro-p and Stuart Rothwell from The Vineyard Ramsbottom raised over £3000 as part of the Maddie Allen quid for a kid campaign. They organised a fantastic Fine Wine Charity Dinner at  Ramsbottom Civic Hall which was a great success with over 40 guests treated to a night of culinary delights and fine wine.

A big thank you to all involved

Little Maddi Allan's Uncle Simon wanted to help Maddi with the Quid for a Kid campaign so approached his bosses at Micro-P to ask for their support. The good hearted bosses agreed to an auction fundraiser at their head office and raised £11,200 on the night! Auction items such as computers and laptops were donated by the IT and Technology distributor, which were bought by staff at the Accrington based company. www.micro-p.com

They don’t come much braver than little Madison Allan. Four-and-a-half year old Maddi was only 10 months when she was diagnosed with a life-threatening tumour. It was touch and go whether she would survive a tough course of chemotherapy – not only did Maddi survive but grew stronger and for the past 3 years has led an active life so much so that Maddi took on the challange of fundraising for the Five Stars Appeal.

Unfortuately Maddi has now been admitted to the new Royal Manchester Children's Hospital as her tumour is growing again. Maddi will shortly commence an 18 week course of aggressive chemotherapy treatment so our thoughts and prayers are with Maddi and her family at this difficult time. Keep fighting Maddi!

Maddi has joined the Five Stars Scanner Appeal line-up alongside soccer legend Ryan Giggs OBE, Corrie star Samia.Smith, actor Max Beesley, actor/singer Will Mellor and actor Chris Bisson in a final push to raise the £1million needed for a state-of-the-art MRI scanner. It’s to be installed in the new Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and will help save the lives of sick children from Carlisle toCrewe. But it has to be delivered this summer and the campaign is still £250,000 short of its target.

Maddi is appealing to everyone in the North West to donate just £1 for the hi-tech scanner which will be able to detect cancer in children at a very early stage and give them a better chance of survival. Just a Quid for a Kid.

Five Stars Scanner Appeal Director Charmaine Wilkinson says the scanner will be three times faster than the existing machine, accurately scanning children to spot life-threatening tumours in just 15 minutes.

‘It’ll produce much better results than its predecessor. It’s quieter too, so much less daunting for small children. But we now need the money really urgently,’ says Charmaine.

The present scanner has scanned 27,500 children in 10 years and has saved countless lives. But the new scanner is far more accurate for youngsters like Maddi with rare tumours.

Maddi is no stranger to fundraising. For three years she has been the fundraising princess at a series of charity events for the scanner alongside proud mum Samantha and dad Mark. Maddi has been the toast of her home town of Darwen, in  Lancashire, during the campaign to raise the vital £1million.

We now need you to help Maddi and other children so please donate a Quid for a Kid. It really will help save children's lives. Thank you for your support.

Donors are asked to sellotape a £1 coin to a piece of paper or card and send to Quid for a Kid, Five Stars Scanner Appeal, 446a Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester M25 1AZ or donate online through www.justgiving.com/quidforakid.