......... for disability charity auction
Frank Williams is amongst a group of celebrities who have decorated walking sticks for an online auction to raise funds for the work of national disability charity, The Disabled Living Foundation.
Stars of sports, music, film and TV are amongst a number of high profile personalities who have decorated walking sticks for an online auction supporting the work of the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), a national charity providing information on disability equipment. The customised walking sticks will be auctioned on eBay in the lead up to Christmas, with bidding taking place from the 9th – 19th December 2005.
Amongst the walking sticks up for grabs are ones decorated by Annie Lennox, Graham Norton, Emma Thompson, Sir Ian McKellen, EastEnders’ star Michelle Ryan, Formula 1’s Frank Williams, players from Everton FC and Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats.
Winning bidders will receive a signed certificate along with their funky walking stick, which could be the jewel-encrusted sparkly stick by Graham Norton, the Kennedy clan tartan stick by the leader of the Liberal Democrats or F1’s Frank Williams’ customised stick with a signed racing glove and chequered flag.
Actress Emma Thompson comments, “Being disabled should not mean being disqualified from having access to every aspect of life. The DLF provides solutions to these challenges and I am very honoured to be included”. She continues, “Doing the stick took me HOURS and I still have sticky hands!”
Steve Hawe, Head of Marketing and Fundraising at the DLF comments, “We hope that by asking celebrities to decorate walking sticks people will be reminded that the right equipment can make a real difference to the lives of older and disabled people. We are hoping the auction will raise as much money as possible and increase awareness of our free national Helpline service that provides impartial advice and information on equipment solutions.”
The auction begins at 15.00 (GMT) 9th December, and ends at 15.00 19th December. To take part in the auction please visit http://members.ebay.co.uk/aboutme/dlfauction
The walking sticks were kindly donated by Sunrise Medical. . Auction items from:
Joan Bakewell Chemical Brothers Everton FC Helen Fielding Judge Jules Charles Kennedy, MP Annie Lennox Robert Lindsay Sir Ian McKellen Anne McGuire, MP Graham Norton Leslie Phillips Michelle Ryan Frank Skinner Alison Steadman Emma Thompson Frank Williams Tim Yeo, MP
Disabled Living Foundation The Disabled Living Foundation is a national charity that provides information and advice to older and disabled people, their carers and healthcare professionals on all aspects of equipment/assistive technology for advancing independent living.
The DLF operates a Helpline offering free and impartial advice to older and disabled people and their carers, which is open Monday – Friday, 10am-4pm on 0845 130 9177 (textphone 020 7432 8009).
The DLF also operates the South East’s largest Equipment Demonstration Centre, where visitors can try our items of equipment with the help of a therapist.
