Spread the Love – not Covid – with the 2020 Charity Gifting Appeal

Trying to remain just as cool, calm and collected as the man himself, I recently had a one to one with Hollywood superstar Samuel L Jackson (silent scream).

Fresh from celebrating Django Unchained’s win at the BAFTAs, presenting an award on the night and hosting another charity event two days before that – phew! – this was a man on total form, friendly and animatedly talking about his latest fundraiser.

Launching the Affinity Real Estate Shooting Stars Benefit 2013 at the Moet and Chandon offices in London, over a glass of bubbly (what else?), Jackson spoke enthusiastically about the golfing event in June where those prepared to part with a certain amount of cash can putt holes alongside celebrity players.

Pushing Jackson to say which A-list players he’d like to get on board – Luke Wilson and Alice Cooper have taken part in the past – he replied: “People like golf and people tend to open their pockets to play with, I guess, famous people… and they have a good time and it’s a great way to engage with people in the community and to help raise awareness among certain charities.

“We’re talking to a lot of people – so we’ll see what happens. We don’t really bring people onboard because they’re good golfers, we bring them because they’re good people. You have to be social, people come to have a laugh, make friends and take photographs, so we try to chose people who are personable and wanna come and have a good time.”

Jackson’s mother passed away last year after battling with Alzheimer’s, so funds raised from this year’s event will go towards the Samuel L Jackson Foundation and fund research into Dementia and Alzheimer’s, as Jackson added ‘that could be me one day’.

The Affinity Real Estate Shooting Stars Benefit takes place June 14-15. www.shootingstarsbenefit.com

One of the nicest ladies in showbiz, it’s always a pleasure to catch up with singer, Britain’s Got Talent judge – and most importantly, fellow working mum Alesha Dixon.

Bumping into her at the Little Black Dress cocktail party, in the glamorous surroundings of Piccadilly’s Hotel Café Royal, she broke the news that she’s joined the online retailer and fashion brand’s board of directors.

Fresh from releasing her latest album Do It For Love, Dixon spoke of her desire to see Little Black Dress develop into ‘more of a lifestyle brand’, for the company to forge links with charities such as domestic abuse charity Refuge and plans to create her own collection early next year. And so, yet another string to add to her bow.

Dixon, who’s mum to daughter Azura Sienna (who recently turned two), was all smiles as we discussed our little ones, using the words ‘it’s great, isn’t it?’ to describe parenthood.  Well, I couldn’t have said it better myself! Juggling motherhood and the world of work is never an easy one, but it always helps to do it with a smile!

www.aleshadixon.com     www.littleblackdress.co.uk

 

There’s nothing I hate more than not being able to see clearly – I’m the one who complains if I have to eat in the dark, or I’ll be the one muttering if I can’t see the performers on stage at a concert – I’m definitely a visual kinda gal!

But, this didn’t stop me from heading to the launch of the RNIB’s (Royal National Institute of Blind People’s) See Through Sound gigs, where music lovers are given ‘sim specs’ (glasses that simulate reduced vision) to wear to provide an insight into what it’s like living with sight loss.

With the fabulous Newton Faulkner and former Made In Chelsea alumni Andy Jordan taking to the stage at The Venue in Great Portland Street, while wearing the ‘sim specs’ I had the opportunity to simply focus on the music.

Grabbing a quick chat with Andy following his performance he explained he was supporting the cause as many of his family suffer from eye defects.

Happy to use his musical talents for the RNIB launch, he told me: “I’m just enjoying life. I think I’ve moved away from Made In Chelsea now – I’m just me! Enjoying doing my music – and surfing.”

He even admitted: “I don’t watch MIC – I never did even when I was on it.”

And his thoughts on the recent fallout between former MIC besties Stephanie Pratt and Lucy Watson?

“I didn’t know Stephanie and Lucy had fallen out but to be honest I don’t give a f***. They’ll do whatever they can to get more Twitter followers and Instagram likes.”

Ouch!

Well, concentrating on putting the days of MIC well and truly behind him, Andy will be among performers at the See Through Sound gig at Cadogan Hall on October 14.

Get your ticket at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.cadoganhall.com.

NO matter how hard I try, with two kids my flat is ALWAYS overflowing with toys! So, if like me you’ve had enough, why not give the British Heart Foundation a call?

The charity which funds vital heart research, has put together a dedicated team to come to your door to collect up all those unwanted pre-loved toys.

From Monday April 8 to Friday April 12, a fleet of van drivers will be on hand to pick up toys – both big and small – simply give them a call to book.

To add a personal touch, they’re encouraging you to label up the item and write a little about the toy, so its new owner can find out where it came from – a fun activity to get the children involved in!

There’s also the chance to get active on social media with the hashtag #MyToyStory to talk about the toy you’re donating.

Last year, the event raised a massive £3m!

To book a free toy collection, call 0808 250 0220