One of Five Stars beneficaries, Leon was in need of help. He needed a life changing operation to help him walk again but when it was unavailable in the UK his family had to work hard and fund raise to get the money needed to send him for treatment in America.

Thanks to their hard work, fundraising and an extra £3000 from Five Stars, Leon was able to go to America for his much needed operation.

We are pleased to report that Leon is home and well after the operation. His Doctor predicts that Leon will be able to walk unaided in around 6 months. Leon also managed to stand for 5 seconds.

This is amazing news and a huge personal achievement for little Leon

Leons mum, Danielle said 'We thank you so much for your support and feel so grateful to everyone who has shown the unbelievable support during our fundraising. Leon's life will and already has changed forever '

Every one at Five Stars wishes Leon a speedy recovery and all the best for the future!

Press Bulletin to all national newspapers and all Manchester newspapers

Press Release Five Stars Appeal (a registered charity) 35 years old.

Five Stars Appeal Children’s Charity, helping children with life changing and life threatening illnesses, has confirmed that they intend to proceed with the organisation of the event of Miss Manchester 2012 tonight, the 25th April 2012. Various untrue allegations have appeared in certain sections of the press that have suggested that there are discrepancies in the charity’s figures, but the charity’s records have been confirmed as being accurate by the charity’s accountants, Champion Chartered Accountants.  The Charity Commission is aware of these rumours but have indicated that the charity is not under investigation.

The charity is very concerned that it should keep its good reputation for assisting children with life changing and life threatening illnesses and refers to its past record in donating in excess of £3.5M to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Officers and Trustees of the charity have reviewed the on going governance costs and implemented a number of cost cutting measures in accordance with modern business practice, sometimes at personal sacrifice.

The Five Stars Appeal rely upon their reputation for the continued support of members of the public to continue their fundamental work.

..........................................................

Signed Nicola Smith, on behalf of the charity and its Trustees

For any enquiries please call: 07899 971 000

cc: Charity Commission

Miss Manchester 2012 Grand Final will take place at The Sheridan Suite on Wednesday 25th April.

 MM12, in aid of the Five Stars Appeal, brings you glitz and glamour at this stunning venue, The Sheridan Suite.

 Mingle with the stars of soap & sport, say hi to celebrity judges, Robbie Savage, Efe Sodje (Bury FC), Louise Cliffe (Big Brother) and Jay McKray (Big Brother).

 Book your tickets today and enjoy this Grand Final of beautiful girls, fantastic entertainment and delicious food!

VIP Table of 10 - £1000

Table of 10 - £850

Theatre Seating Per Person- £45.00

 VIP Tables include preferential seating near to the catwalk, only 10 available.

Theatre Seating will include a welcome drink and Indian Style Cuisine to nibble on

Call the Five Stars office on 0161 798 8936 to book your tickets today!

 Take a look at the line up of beautiful girls here - www.missmanchester.net

 Check out The Sheridan Suite for address and parking facilities - www.sheridan1838.co.uk

 Check out Five Stars Appeal - www.fivestarsappeal.co.uk

As a small Manchester based children’s charity, the Five Stars Appeal has given more than £3million to the local children’s hospital.  Over the last year we have totally reviewed the charity’s operations and have completely replaced the Board of Trustees. Our priority now is to get as much money as possible to the children we aim to support.

Five Stars Appeal are proud to have singer Sheridan as their newest Patron. Sheridan gave an amazing performance at the celebrity cook-off that left guests wondering who this fresh new talent was. Sheridan has worked with top Hip Hop and R&B stars such as Dr.Dre, Snoop Dog,Lil wayne and many others. 

Sheridan is currently signed to SMG records and has her debut single, Urban Chic, out now. Featuring popular songs such ass Zip and Slide and Doll House.

Sheridan is prous to work alongside Five Stars and will be donating a percentage of her album sales to the Five Stars Appeal. To find out more or to purchase the signed album please contact laura@fivestarsappeal.co.uk or call 0161 798 8936 

We are happy to announce that Sheridan will also be performing at this years Miss Manchester Grand Final-25th April 2012

Find out more about out newest Patron

www.sheridancouture.com

www.sheridanmusic.co.uk

www.sheridanmusik.co.uk

www.facebook.com/sheridancouture

www.twitter.com/sheridancouture

The winner of the £1000 Prize Draw is Sheila Moran of Manchester. The winning ticket was drawn by solictor Latimer Lee and Sheila was so delighted to win that she has kindly donated £100 back to the charity. Thank you Sheila!

Reported by Catherine Pye of the Lancashire Telegraph

THE family of a seven-year-old cancer victim have protested outside parliament about NHS drug funding.

Madison Allan of Lord’s Crescent, Lower Darwen, succumbed to an aggressive Neuroblastoma tumour on Boxing Day, having battled the disease since she was 10 months old.

Now her family are keen that more people are aware of childhood cancers, and how they had to raise funds for treatment in Germany.

Wearing T-shirts displaying Madison’s photograph, they joined a “static march” in central London organised by family friend Jennifer Targhi.

Madison’s grandmother, Alison Foster, said: “It was a good day and about 150-200 other people turned up. We met a lot of other families who have a child with cancer, or who have lost a child, and it was good for networking.

“The police were really, really good with us and said it was one of the most peaceful protests they’d had.

“They even let us put one of Maddi’s banners across a war memorial, and we had a lot of people coming up to us, asking why were were there.

“We hope this is the first of many protests, and we’re thinking of organising some a little closer to home in places like Manchester and Liverpool, so more friends and family can join in.”

  The family raised more than £100,000 to sent Madison abroad for trial chemotherapy treatment not available in the UK, and fought NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust for a one-off MIGB iodine shot.

They believe the three-month delay in her receiving this treatment contributed to her death.

Neuroblastoma is cancer that develops from nerve tissue occurring in infants and children.

It can occur in many areas of the body, but most begin in the abdomen, in the adrenal gland, next to the spinal cord, or in the chest.

The disorder occurs in approximately one out of 100,000 children and is slightly more common in boys.

In most patients, the Neuroblastoma has already spread when it is first diagnosed.

Full Article go to:

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/9586608.Madison_Allan_s_family_take_cancer_care_protest_to_parliament/

The unveiling of the 200 Club Roll of Honour took place recently at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.  A cheque for £8,000 was also presented to the hospital from the sale of Darren Baker's artwork.  This is the final instalment to the hospital for the Scanner Appeal.  Thank you to everyone who contributed towards this appeal.  The MRI scanner is now helping to save lives.

Nicola Smith and Charmaine Wilkinson have handed over a cheque for £10,000 to the Madison Allan Appeal on behalf of the Five Stars Appeal. Everyone at Five Stars is proud to have supported Maddi and will never forget her. Maddi was a brave and beautiful little girl who touched the lives of those around her.

 Maddi sadly lost her battle to neuroblastoma on the 26^th December 2011 but the money will now go towards research into the aggressive form of cancer in memory Maddi. By continuing to raise money we can find out more about this terrible cancer and improve treatment for the future.

Premier Keepers Cooking Up A Storm

PREMIER League ‘keepers Pepe Reina and Joe Hart will swap their goalie gloves for oven gloves in a charity cook-off later this month.

The soccer aces will don their aprons alongside Peter Crouch, Gareth Barry, Nigel De Jong and Adam Johnson plus TV stars Jack P Sheppard, Danny Miller, Catherine Tyldesley and Coleen Nolan.

The event, at Panacea Restaurant and Bar in Alderley Edge on March 25, is being held to raise funds for Five Stars Appeal, a Manchester-based charity that helps children with life-changing and life-threatening illnesses.

Director of Fundraising Nicola Smith said: “It promises to be a hilarious night if the previous Panacea Cook-Offs are anything to go by. We can’t thank the footballers, celebrities plus Joe Akka and the Panacea team enough for all their hard work.”

Will we see Peter Crouch cooking up a storm and Joe Hart serving it? Let’s see!

The teams will be split with the premiership stars on one team and TV stars on the other. Some will cook in the kitchen, some will serve in the bar and others will be waiters and waitresses. The guests in the restaurant will then vote for their favourite meal and we’ll have a winner.

Andreas Brozos, manager of Panacea Alderley Edge said “It’s for a great cause and it’ll be a whole lot of fun with the teams getting up to their usual tricks in order to win the competition. We are really looking forward to another fantastic night for everyone attending and hope to hit above the amazing amount of over £50,000 we raised at the last event.”

Nicola said there were still opportunities to buy tickets or sponsor the event and that anyone interested should contact her on 0161 798 8936 or email Nicola@fivestarsappeal.co.uk or contact Panacea on 01625 599 200

Join us for another Panacea Celebrity Cook-Off in aid of Five Stars Appeal

Sunday 25th March

Panacea Alderley Edge

Dinner Tickets £195.00 6pm til late

Bar Tickets £35.00 7pm til late

VIP After Party 10pm til late

www.fivestarsappeal.co.uk

www.panacearestuarants.co.uk

Note to Editors:

Celebrities Confirmed so far - subject to work commitments on the day:

Football Stars

 Nigel De Jong (Man City)

Joe Hart (Man City)

Gareth Barry (Man City)

Adam Johnson (Man City)

David Silva (Man City)

Joleon Lescott (Man City)

Pepe Reina (Liverpool)

Peter Crouch (Stoke)

Mario Ballotelli (Man City)

TV Stars

Jack P Sheperd – Coronation St -  David Platt

Alan Halsall – Coronation Street-  Tyrone Dobbs

Lucy Jo Hudson –  Wild at Heart

Catherine Tyldesley – Coronation St – Eva Price

Chris Gascoyne – Coronation St – Peter Barlow

Danny Miller – Emmerdale – Aaron Livesy

Adam Thomas – Emmerdale - Adam Barton

Colleen Nolan – This Morning

Dean Gaffney – Eastenders & I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here

Rowetta – Happy Mondays & X Factor

Craig Phillips – 1st Big Brother Winner & 60 Second Makeover

Suzanne Collins – Brookside – Nikki Shadwick

Scott Wright – Coronation Street - Sam Kingston and Celebrity Trainer

Five Stars Appeal:

The Five Stars Appeal Childrens Charity, for over 34 years, has been raising funds for children with life threatening illnesses. We have many kind hearted people, celebrity ambassadors & patrons who are enthusiastic and willing to lend their support. 

President: Royal Portrait Artist Darren Baker

Ambassadors: TV & Radio presenter Terry Christian, Bolton FC striker Ivan Klasnic,

Actor Craig Gazey, Miss Manchester 2011 Nicola Mcconnell and Boy band Reconnected.

Patrons include Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, Take That, Joe Akka, Actors Scott Wright, Ian Aspinall, Jack Marsden and Radio Presenters JK & Joel

www.fivestarsappeal.co.uk

Tel:  0161 798 8936

Panacea Alderley Edge:

• Panacea is the social hub of Alderley Edge. By day, it’s a place to meet friends, entertain business contacts or escape for a quiet coffee. As evening approaches, call in for a drink after work or savour our heavenly cocktails and watch the night unfold.

• Panacea Manchester is an award winning restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of Manchester very popular with the rich and famous.  This is a great hang out to do a little celeb spotting whilst sipping an amazing cocktail, admiring the beautiful interior and soaking up the rich atmosphere.  

www.panacearestuarants.co.uk

Tel: 01625 599 200

Contact for further details:

Nicola Smith

KissPR

nicola@kisspr.net

0161 835 9267

0789 9971000

CELEBRITY v CIVILIAN CHARITY BOOT CAMP - To Feature in OK! Magazine

AT HALE COUNTRY CLUB & SPA

WHEN? 29th January 2012, 10.30am

WHERE? -  Hale Country Club and Spa, Clay Lane, Timperley

WHAT? – All Cheshire residents invited to join Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars for a celebrity vs. civilian charity bootcamp

All Cheshire residents are invited to join a host of Coronations Street and Emmerdale stars in a Celebrity vs. Civilian-style boot camp work out at Hale Country Club & Spa – in memory of Madison Allan, a 7-year-old Lancashire girl who died on Boxing Day from Neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer.

Celebrity trainer and ex-Rear of the Year winner, Scott Wright will kick start the training sessions with celebrities such as Shobna Gulati  (Coronation Street’s Sunita Alahan), Kelvin Fletcher (Emmerdale’s Andy Sugden) and original Big Brother winner Craig Phillips

Scott first became aware of Madison and her illness when he met her and her family at the Christmas light switch on in Darwin in 2008 and named his little girl Lexey Madison Wright, in memory of her.  All money raised on the day will be donated to the on going campaign to raise awareness of this form of cancer.

Participants are invited to take part in the boot camp for a small fee of £2, which will go to charity and every entrant will be automatically entered into a prize draw treasure hunt – with winning tickets for prizes such as luxury hotel stays and spa treatments strategically placed around the assault course. 

There will also be an auction to win a ‘money can’t buy’ prize - a course of personal training sessions with three trainers from the club – ex-Coronation Street, Emmerdale,  star Scott Wright, Steve Bell and ex-Wigan Warriors Rugby Player, Wesley Cotton. Hale Country Club and Spa are also offering free boot camp sessions to members who sign up pre-launch in February and March.

Richard Edmunds, Hale Country Club & Spa’s General Manager said: “We are encouraging everyone in the area to come down and take part in the celebrity work-out. It's a bit of fun, there’s a great cause behind it and we welcome contestants of all fitness levels to come down and support us.”

The much-anticipated Hale Country and Spa has announced an opening date of early March 2012. The state of the art facilities will offer membership local people and is expected to be at capacity or at least almost full, by the time the facilities are officially opened.

Notes to editors:

• Hale Country Club & Spa is a five-star Country Club, spread over three floors and will have health and fitness facilities including, a huge gym with Technogym equipment and a movie theatre room, which members can work out in front of a giant screen whilst watching the latest blockbusters.

• Classes include Bokwa fitness, Zumba, Body Pump, Yoga and Pilates and there is a luxurious 25m indoor swimming pool with a swim-through link to an outdoor pool.

• The ESPA spa facilities include Zen & Fire and Ice steam rooms, a sauna, steam and salt room experience as well as a rooftop open air spa pool and champagne bar.

• Additional facilities include a restaurant and outdoor terrace with children’s play area and child-free changing rooms are available for 800 Country Club members, who will benefit from dressing robes and slippers and a child free changing environment.

The Five Stars Appeal have secured a number of places for the Bupa Great Manchester Run on Sunday 20th May 2012. As a previous runner we would like to offer you first option to take a place.

The run is Britain’s most popular 10k with the route taking in some of Manchester’s most famous landmarks – the event is also broadcast live on the BBC!

If you wish to take part in this event we ask that you complete an entry form and forward it to us with your £50 registration fee to secure your place. We will send out sponsorship forms and a t-shirt on receipt of your completed entry form. Please call the office for your entry form on 0161 798 8936 or email laura@fivestarsappeal.co.uk

More information about the event, including the route is available at www.greatrun.org

By running for us you will help us to raise much needed funds for the charity.

“Helping Children with Life Changing & Life Threatening Illnesses”

Madison’s brave fight ended Boxing day 10.45am. She was with her mummy and daddy.

Madison was a fighter and a brave little girl, who inspired and motivated many many people.

Madison had this gift of warming the coldest of hearts and touched everyone she met, even those who hadn’t met her. We will never forget you.

A Poem For Maddi by Auntie Kim

God sent an angel to the earth

The sweetest angel too

And for such a little girl

She had so much to do.

She knew she did not have

Much time on upon this earth to stay

So she did not waste a second

She got started right away.

Her eyes were bright and sparkly,

She took in every turn

She did not miss a single thing

Because Maddi came to learn!

God sent here  to touch the hearts of those he could not reach..

She taught them courage, strength and faith, because Maddi came to teach.

Her tiny little body was so full of God above,

You felt it when you held her, because Maddi came to love.

In seven short years she managed what many never will,

When she went home to Jesus, her purpose was fulfilled.

She learned and taught, loved and played she learned her lessons well.

I know he was so proud of her when she went home to dwell.

But when I miss her oh so much I can almost hear him say,

Please understand, her work was done……

Maddi did not come to stay.

Miss you every day my beautiful little

Angel Maddi love you forever  xxxxxxxxx

Auntie Kim

SOPHIE WRIGHT CROWNED MISS FIVE STARS APPEAL 2011 AT PANACEA ALDERLEY

The Miss Five Stars Appeal 2011 modelling competition final, hosted by radio presenter Hugh Ferris, took place at Panacea, Alderley Edge on Sunday, in aid of Five Stars Appeal Children’s Charity.

Sophie Wright was presented as the winner of  the model competition by Miss Manchester 2011, Nicola McConnell and won a contract with Liquid Models, a place as a Patron of the Five Stars Appeal, as well as a holiday to Malta thanks to www.spatravel.co.uk

Nicola Smith, corporate fundraiser at Five Star Appeals Children’s Charity said: “We are ecstatic at the success of the Miss Five Stars Appeal 2011 as it really brought the community together to help such a good cause.

“We can’t thank people enough for their help, to the models for competing and helping us to raise over £5,000 on Sunday and to Panacea Alderley for once again agreeing to host our event.

“With the help of our many supporters, Patrons and Five Star Ambassadors we are continuing to hold events, sponsored runs and corporate fundraising activities throughout 2011/2012 to help children with life changing and life threatening illnesses”

Sophie Wright who is also a professional ice skater, was sponsored in the competition by Manchester Radio Online, where she currently works.

Sophie was chosen over twenty hopefuls who were selected from the online applicants and were judged over three rounds by a panel of judges including Miss Manchester 2011 Nicola McConnell, Bolton striker Ivan Klasnic, Five Stars Chairman Mandy Smith, Calum Best, Claire Gilchrist-Dick of Liquid Models and Big Brother 2011 couple Louise Cliffe and Jay McKray.

My name is Izzy and I’m nearly four.

I’ve got a twin sister called Gabby and a big brother called Charlie. Me and Gabby look a bit like each other but we’re not the same because I’ve got cerebral palsy in my legs, so I can’t walk very well. When we’re at nursery, sometimes we have to do dancing which I enjoy, but because my legs are stiff I can’t put my feet flat on the floor, I have to just watch. I have to wear special boots called Piedro boots because normal ones from the shoe shop just keep coming off. At Christmas the doctor put some special casts on my legs to try and stretch them. I had to wear them all day, even in bed! They weren’t very comfy but because they were pink I didn’t mind. What I didn’t like was when it snowed I couldn’t go outside and play with Charlie and Gabby because my wellies wouldn’t fit over them.

Mummy and Daddy have been on the computer talking to a different doctor in America who has done a lot of operations on other girls and boys so they can put their feet flat. If we get enough money I would like to go to America to see if he can fix my legs so that me and Gabby can wear the same pretty shoes and I can stop falling over all the time.

Izzy needs to raise £24,200 by November 2011 to book treatment for January 2012. The treatment will cost £50,000 in total but Izzy's family and friends have raised £25,800 so far but urgently need help.

Please call Five Stars Appeal on 0161 798 8936 if you can help Izzy reach her target by November.

Thank you so much.

Blackburn cancer battler Madison Allan on Jeremy Kyle show

By Catherine Pye of Lancashire Telegraph »

CANCER battler Madison Allan will be shown having “the best day of her life” on national television this morning.

She has been whisked away to London and treated to a shopping spree at Hamley’s toy shop for a special edition of the Jeremy Kyle Show.

She also met dance group Diversity and had a special video lesson from children’s arts and crafts television presenter, Mister Maker.

Researchers from the programme made contact with her family after reading about her plight in the Lancashire Telegraph.

Mum Samantha said: “She really enjoyed it, although she was in some pain on the day we filmed and the big lights and stage was very daunting for her.

"On the train back she told me it was the best day of her life.”

“She took a bit of persuading to get any toys but she decided on some Sylvanian Families dolls and she made her own teddy bear.

“When we met Diversity they asked her if she wanted to have a go with them, but she said no because she thought they meant doing all the back-flips.

"But they got her to do some sitting-down dancing and she thought that was great.”

Jeremy Kyle said: “Madison was an incredible little girl and it was an honour to be able to make her wishes come true”.

Madison will turn seven on Friday, and will celebrate at home with friends and family.

Law firm donates unclaimed balances to four charities

Published on 13 September 2011, by howardlake

Specialist law firm Rollits has donated unclaimed client balances in its legacy bank account to four charities, including Charity Bank. It hopes this will inspire other legal firms to make similar donations.

The company, which has offices in Leeds and York, contacted as many of its former clients as possible and returned any claimed funds. After that, with permission from the Solicitors Regulations Authority, it donated the remainder to its selected charities.

Rollits managing partner, Richard Field, said: "Unclaimed balances are common in our profession and can accumulate over the years. We were pleased to clear the backlog of unclaimed funds in such a positive way and wanted to donate the funds to charities that were making a tangible impact.

"Charity Bank's mission to transform saving into an ethical action that supports other charities and community organisations definitely met this criteria."

The Five Stars Scanner Appeal is now complete and we are delighted to inform you that the MRI Scanner is in place at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

The 200 Club was set up to help raise funds for the MRI scanner and we are delighted to let each of the 112 members know that the Roll of Honour will soon be in place at the Royal Manchester children's Hospital.

 The Roll of Honour will be this beautiful piece of artwork which will list every name of every member and will be mounted in the scanner room to enable the families, waiting for their child being scanned, to see the names of the kind hearted people and companies who have donated £1000 to be a 200 club member. These funds will potentially help to save the lives of many children. Thank you for your kind generosity.