Celebrity Patrons
STARS is lucky to have the support and backing of some high profile figure heads.
Sir Roger Moore
Born Clapham, London, 1927. The son of a London policeman. Roger Moore attended Hackford Road Elementary School and then Battersea Grammar School. Evacuated to Worthing at the outbreak of World War II. He returned to London in 1943 and after leaving school worked as a tracer/filler/office boy with the animation company Publicity Picture Productions. He was fired after a short time. In 1944 he was accepted by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and attended for three terms. He then joined the Cambridge Arts Theatre Repertory Company. In 1945 he was called up for National Service and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and then promoted to Captain in the Combined Services Entertainment. At the end of his Army service he worked as an assistant stage manager at the BBC Studios at Alexander Palace and supplemented his salary by working as an advertising model. Then came a small part in the West End production of "Mister Roberts" and understudying David Tomlinson in "The Little Hut". There followed his American debut and he appeared in "A Pin to See the Peepshow” on Broadway. It was then that Hollywood beckoned with an MGM contract. In 1957-58 he played the title role in "Ivanhoe", returning to England for a total of 39 episodes. When he returned to Hollywood in 1958 he was put under contract by Warner Bros. and starred in the TV series "The Alaskans" (36 episodes), "Maverick" (19 episodes) and in 1961 at the end of his contract he left Hollywood. In 1962 came his big break when he was cast as "The Saint", the most successful TV series at that time (114 episodes).
Roger Moore represents the terminal evolution of the Edwardian hero, the product of the English public school system capriciousness and a conspiratorial sense of humour. This was his hugely successful Lord Brett Sinclair model that followed in "The Persuaders" television series with Tony Curtis as co star. (1971-72) Then came the pinnacle of Moore's career in 1972 when he was cast in the title role of the massively successful James Bond, the greatest hero of them all. He continued in this cinematic series for a total of seven productions, slotting in a dozen feature films as the Bond schedules permitted. Roger Moore is resident in Switzerland. He has three children. Deborah (born 1963), Geoffrey (born 1966) and Christian (born 1973). A grand daughter, Ambre, was born in December 1998 (Geoffrey and LouLou) and a second grand daughter, Jessie, was born in September 1999 (Christian and Heidi). Since 1991 when he was appointed a Special Ambassador to UNICEF Roger Moore has toured the world on field trips and speaking at fundraising events. In 1999 he received the title Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF. Roger Moore was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s New Year Honours 1999.
In May 2003 a third grand-daughter, Mia was born (Geoffrey and Loulou), and a few weeks later Roger Moore was awarded a Knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his charity work.
Recent years have seen Roger Moore concentrating on his UNICEF work, but continuing to work in film, tv and on stage when time allows. Most recently he has voiced a number of animated characters in films “Here Comes Peter Cottontail”, “The Fly Who Loved Me” and “Agent Crush”. He has also appeared in London’s West End and on Broadway as special guest in “The Play What I Wrote”.
Sir Roger Moore was one of the first to offer his support to STARS during Arrhythmia Awareness Week 2009 promoting the ‘Know Your Pulse’ campaign. Days prior to the launch there was a video on YouTube showing Sir Roger demonstrating how to take your pulse and reinforcing the message that this is one of the easiest ways to detect a heart rhythm disorder.
'Know Your Pulse’ by Sir Roger Moore click here to watch Roger take his pulse!
To listen to Sir Roger Moore's experience of syncope click here
Sir Elton Hercules John
Born Pinner, Middlesex, England, March 25, 1947, Reginald Kenneth Dwight. Son of late Stanley Dwight and of Sheila (now Farebrother), changed name to Elton Hercules John.
Married Renate Blauel, Feb 14, 1984 (Dissolved Nov. 18, 1988), Civil Partnership with David Furnish, December 21, 2005. Student, Royal Academy of Music, London, 1959-64.
Singer, songwriter, musician, began playing piano 1951, joined group Bluesology, 1965-67. Since 1969 has toured across the world consistently as a solo performer and with the Elton John band. Film (appearance): Tommy, 1975. Films (voice): The Lion King, 1994, The Road to El Dorado, 2000. Appearances: Live Aid, 1985, Freddie Mercury Tribute concert, 1992, Live 8, 2005. Composer: (Broadway musical) The Lion King, 1998 (6 Tony Awards); Aida, 2000 (Tony Award for Best Original Score); Lestat, 2006. (West End Musical) Billy Elliot the Musical, 2005 (Olivier Award for Best Musical). Composer: (albums) Empty Sky, 1969; Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection, 1970; 11.17.70, Friends, Madman Across The Water, 1971; Honky Chateau, 1972; Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, 1973; Caribou, Greatest Hits, 1974; Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, Rock of the Westies, 1975; Here and There, Blue Moves, 1976; Greatest Hits Volume II, 1977; A Single Man, 1978; Victim of Love, 1979; 21 at 33, 1980; The Fox, 1981; Jump Up, 1982; Too Low for Zero, 1983; Breaking Hearts, 1984; Ice on Fire, 1985; Leather Jackets, 1986; Live in Australia, 1987; Reg Strikes Back, 1988; Sleeping With the Past, 1989; To Be Continued, 1990; The One, 1992; Duets, 1993; Made in England, 1995; Love Songs, 1996; The Big Picture, 1997; Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, The Muse, 1999; One Night Only, 2000; Songs From the West Coast, 2001; Greatest Hits 1970 - 2002, 2002; Peachtree Road, 2004; The Captain & The Kid, 2006; Rocket Man- Number Ones, 2007. Composer music (film): The Lion King 1994 (Best Original Song Acad. Award for Can You Feel the Love Tonight?) The Road to El Dorado, 2000.
- Chairman of Watford Football Club, 1976-90, president, 1990 - Onwards
- Established Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992.
- Patron - IAVI (International AIDS Vaccine Initiative), Patron - Terrence Higgins Trust, Patron - The Globe Theatre.
- Patron - Amnesty International, Scholarship Fund - Royal Academy of Music, Chairman - Old Vic Trust.
- Awards include Best British Male Artist Brit Award 1991, inducted into Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, 1994, 5 Grammy Award 1986-2000, Grammy Legend Award, 2001, Kennedy Center Honor, 2004, 11 Ivor Novello Awards, 1973 - 2000.
- Achievements include: first popular Western singer to perform in USSR, 1979; playing to over two million people across four continents, 1984-86. Made Commander of the Order of the British Empire, 1996; received knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, February 24, 1998. Released biggest selling single of all time, Candle In The Wind 1997 (over 33,000,000 copies sold), 1997. Received Honorary Doctorate, Royal Academy of Music, 2002, became Fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters and Composers, 2004. Co-written many international hit songs with Bernie Taupin (and others) including Your Song, Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock, Daniel, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Candle In The Wind, Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me, Philadelphia Freedom, Don't Go Breaking My Heart (duet with Kiki Dee), Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word, The Bitch IS Back, Song For Guy, I Guess That's Why The Call the Blues, I'm Still Standing, Nikita, Blue Eyes, Sacrifice, Circle of Life, Are You Ready For Love, I Want Love, Electricity.
Twiggy Lawson
TWIGGY is an International Model and Film Star who first launched her career in 1960's and has continued to be successful ever since. Twiggy comments:
"I must admit I had never heard of STARS or the Reflex Anoxic Seizure condition. However having recently interviewed Trudie and her daughter, Francesca, I was intrigued to discover more. At my request, Trudie kindly forwarded information. I was amazed to read the stories in various newsletters, and the information contained in leaflets. I can only begin to imagine how dreadful it is to live with RAS and syncope. The dedication and determination of Trudie to this cause are truly remarkable. I am honoured to accept the request to become a Patron and to become part of this truly worthwhile charity."
John Burton Race
Celebrity Chef John Burton Race, was born in Singapore in 1957 and spent his early years travelling and experiencing food from all over the world. His family settled in Hampshire and circumstances denied him the chance to follow his heart and craving for the art world, and so his journey into the culinary one began. He began his career as a sous chef at Les Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons, Oxford and in 1986, opened his first restaurant, L'Ortolan in Berkshire. Here he achieved and maintained two Michelin stars. In 2000, John opened John Burton Race, Landmark Hotel, London and reclaimed both Michelin stars within the first year of trading. He came to national prominence after making a TV series, French Leave, for Channel 4 about his and his family's experiences of moving to France for a year. His aim was to relearn and discover ingredients and his love of cooking after many years in the fast lane. Returning to England in 2003, John opened a new restaurant, The New Angel, in Dartmouth, the subject of a second Channel 4 series, The Return of the Chef. He has recently been awarded his first Michelin star for The New Angel. John and his wife Kim have six children: Eve, Olivia, Martha Daisy, Eliza, Charles, Amelia. John Burton Race knows first hand about the effects of syncope, as he was diagnosed with Vasovagal Syncope in 1996 and has had a pacemaker fitted.