Apr 11, 2017 01:30 pm Prince Harry recently visited the University of Bath to watch trials for the Invictus Games 2017.
Prince Harry visits the University of Bath
Credit/Copyright: Royal.UK
The Prince also spent time at the University of Bath Sports Training Village to learn more about their work with The Injured Players Foundation , the official charity for rugby players who suffer catastrophic injuries on the pitch.
The Prince watched a demonstration of the World Rugby scrum project in the sports hall – a new initiative to find ways of reducing injury by engagement in the scrum. The research being conducted at the university is leading the way in helping players come back from serious spinal cord and traumatic brain injury.
Later in the morning, Prince Harry watched trials for the 3rd annual Invictus Games. This year the competition takes place in Toronto, Canada on 24 – 30 September 2017.
The Prince, who is patron of the games, watched the men’s and women’s 200m, men’s shotput and discus throwing and rowing trials.
The Prince also addressed the hopeful Invictus athletes:
“Whether you make the selection or not, you’re all part of the Invictus Games,” he said.
This year saw a record-breaking number of applicants in the UK team – with over 770 people applying for the 90 places. Those that are not selected will still have the opportunity to get involved in the broader Help for Heroes Sports Recovery programme.
European Space Agency Astronaut and Prince’s Trust Ambassador Tim Peake has donated £250,000 to help the Prince’s Trust continue changing young lives, as a result of sales through his best-selling book ‘Hello, is this planet Earth?’, published last November.
Tim also confirmed that he will be releasing a new book in the autumn entitled ‘Ask an Astronaut’ and, as with his previous book, any royalties received will be donated to The Prince’s Trust.
Tim says: “The work The Trust does, helping disadvantaged young people move into education, work or training, is something I believe is vital. I have met some of the young people supported by The Trust and I have seen first-hand what a difference the charity makes to their lives. It seemed natural to me that the proceeds I would get from my book would go towards helping such a fantastic cause.”
The cheque was presented to Tara Leathers, Director of Fundraising at The Prince’s Trust, during the Penguin Random House conference at The Barbican, London.
Tara Leathers said: “As an Ambassador, Tim has used his incredible media attention to promote our cause. And as if that wasn’t enough, he chose to donate the proceeds of his book to our work. We have been really struck by how generous and how committed Tim is to the work of The Trust. On behalf of the hundreds of young people who will be helped by the funds he has donated, we want to say a huge thank you to Tim.”
‘Hello, is this planet Earth?’, published by Penguin Random House, was a Sunday Times Number 1 Bestseller and the fastest selling popular science book since records began. It takes readers on a mesmerising tour of Tim’s historic and inspirational six-month Principia mission, based on over 150 of Tim’s stunning photographs that he took on board the International Space Station.
Tim Peake became an Ambassador in 2015, just before he went to space and the Principia mission started, and he’s continuing to highlight their work to help more young people acquire STEM skills. While in space, he also took on the Digital Virgin Money London Marathon challenge, running 26-miles on a treadmill to raise awareness of what the Trust does.
The annual event is the largest mental health fundraising and awareness walk in the country with more than 5,000 attendees walking to promote awareness, fight discrimination and help raise funds to support New York families and individuals living with mental illnesses.
“May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and May 13 is an important date for NAMINYC-Metro,” said Kinsey McManus, interim executive director, NAMI–NYC Metro. “Eleven years ago, NAMIWalks NYC started with just 1,000 participants and by 2016, we had more than 5,000 attendees and raised $600,000 to fund our important programs that help those affected by a mental health diagnosis. Our goal is to exceed those numbers this year so we can continue to offer our no-cost classes and support groups that work to create a stigma-free environment.”
The Walk begins at the South Street Seaport Promenade where participants will gather to travel over the Brooklyn Bridge and back, and then celebrate their accomplishment at a post-walk wellness fair which will include such activities as free massage, yoga, basic health screenings, raffle prizes and more. In years past, First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray and mental health advocate Jaclyn Stapp have served as grand marshal, and bands such as Boola and Controller have performed.
NAMIWalks NYC supports families and individuals with mental illness and helps to eradicate the stigma they face every day. Funds raised from NAMIWalks NYC will allow NAMI–NYC Metro to provide no-cost support and education to tens of thousands of New Yorkers with their programs including four signature, multi-week psycho-education courses; bi-monthly public education events with leading experts; and more than 20 support groups for families and friends caring for an impacted loved one facing a mental illness diagnosis.
Clinton will be honored with the American Heroes for Children Award, and will deliver the keynote speech at the event. CHF board member Jane Pauley will be honoured with the CHF Pioneers Award, and CHF co-founder Paul Simon will perform. Paul Simon will be joined by former New York Yankee and guitarist Bernie Williams.
Also being honoured at the event are CHF supporter Dr. David Dines and long-time corporate partner Morgan Stanley.
The event takes place at Cipriani 42nd Street in NYC on Tuesday, May 23.
Founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician and child advocate Irwin Redlener, M.D., Children’s Health Fund’s mission is to bring health care directly to homeless and low-income children and their families by expanding access to comprehensive and innovative primary care; eliminating “health barriers to learning” that interfere with child development and school performance; responding to the needs of vulnerable children impacted by major public health crises; and improving the health and well-being of children through advocacy and public education efforts. Over the past 30 years, the organization has provided more than 3.6 million health care encounters, often in places where doctors and health care providers are in short supply.
With Autism Awareness Month beginning, Los Angeles-based annual Autism Speaks benefit concert Light Up The Blues announces it will not be hosting an event this year.
Co-hosts Kristen and Stephen Stills said: “Stephen and I are so grateful for the overwhelming demand for tickets and support for Light Up The Blues this year. While it has left a hole in our heart, we have made the decision to not host our beloved benefit for 2017 and wanted to let all our family, friends, and fans know. After four extremely successful Light Up The Blues concerts, we will take 2017 to focus and expand our fundraising campaign efforts and resources to better serve the international autism community. We will return in 2018 energized to again Light It Up Blue.”
They invite their Light Up The Blues community network to join them by liking their Facebook Fan Page, where you can watch for future announcements and post your favorite concert moments.
Light Up The Blues Concert — An Evening of Music to Benefit Autism Speaks celebrated its 4th annual event last year at The Hollywood Pantages Theatre with Neil Young, The Rides (featuring Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Barry Goldberg), Jakob Dylan, The War On Drugs, Nikka Costa, Chris Stills and emcee Jack Black, plus three artists with autism: Nikki Nik, Soulshocka, and Kyle Cousins, and many special guests. Past years have included performances from Crosby, Stills and Nash, Ryan Adams, John Mayer, Don Felder, Rickie Lee Jones, Lucinda Williams, Brandi Carlile, Shawn Colvin, The White Buffalo, Steve Earle, Chris Stills, Spencer Harte featuring Petra Haden, Nick Guzman and Matt Savage.
Each year, the event spotlights Light It Up Blue, Autism Speaks’ annual global awareness and fundraising campaign, which is celebrated by the international autism community on April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day, and throughout Autism Awareness Month in April. Light Up The Blues celebrates the many gifts of individuals with autism, while supporting Autism Speaks in their mission to raise awareness and support their successful advocacy on behalf of all those who navigate through the journey of Autism. Proceeds from the Light Up The Blues Concert will go towards Autism Speaks’ research and advocacy efforts for families and individuals impacted by the disorder.
To date, Light Up The Blues has grossed over $1.3M for Autism Speaks.
Apr 11, 2017 06:00 am
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