Celebrity night of fun at Firefly will give families a helping hand
By Vicki Robinson Health Reporter
THEY'RE more used to propping up the bar...
But – for one night only – a bunch of celebrities will be serving behind one instead.
And as well as dishing out drinks to customers, they will be raising vital cash for charity.
TV stars, presenters, models, actors and actresses will be taking part in Stars Behind Bars, a major event being staged in Leeds in March.
Backed by big-name celebrities, it aims to raise thousands for the Sick Children's Trust, which runs a special home at St James's Hospital, Leeds, for parents of seriously ill children.
The event has previously been held in London, but for the first time one is being held in Leeds.
In the past, names like Michelle Heaton, from chartbusting pop band Liberty X, and TV presenter – and one-time girlfriend of George Clooney – Lisa Snowden have given their support.
So have Jake Maskall – EastEnders' Danny Moon –
and Kate Lawler and Maxwell Ward, from Channel 4's Big Brother.The line-up for Leeds is a closely-guarded secret until the night itself – March 2– but promises some equally well known celebrities.
Maxwell said he was thrilled to get involved in an earlier event: "I thought it was about time I did my bit for charity and gave something back after my Big Brother experience.
"What a top night. I was more than happy to get behind the bar and serve drinks in aid of such a good cause."
Jake Maskall added: "Stars Behind Bars has been a great success. Everybody has a grin from ear to ear."
The Leeds event is at Firefly, Park Row, from 7.30pm. You can find out how to snap up your tickets next Wednesday in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The Sick Children's Trust provides home-from-home accommodation for the families of sick children while they receive vital hospital treatment, often far from the family home.
It has a 16-bedroom unit close to the Gledhow Wing at Jimmy's and has several other sites across the country. Nationally, it helps up to 3,600 families every year.
The charity, which does not charge for its services, is funded entirely by voluntary donations. It costs the SCT £25 to house a family for a night, and families are able to stay for as long as they need to.
Look out in the YEP for more details on Stars Behind Bars or log on to
http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org for more information about the charity.
vicki.robinson@ypn.co.uk
01 February 2006
leedstoday
