Thursday 14th September, 2000

Stars Draw On Store Of Talent To Save Red Squirrel

Celebrities including Sir Paul McCartney, the Duchess of York and Sir Michael Caine have been showing off their artistic flair in aid of the endangered red squirrel.

More than 200 stars agreed to take part in a "scribble a squirrel" competition to raise awareness of the plight of the mammal, which could become extinct in England in the next decade. The pictures range in quality with some stars clearly more artistic than others.

Sir Paul’s effort is in proportion and gently shaded. But Sir Michael Caine’s line drawing is less accomplished, a fact he readily acknowledged, saying: "Good job I’m an actor." The pictures are to be auctioned on the Internet during Red Squirrel Week.

The auction will run for two weeks and will raise money for the North East Wildlife Trust and The Calvert Trust, charities which both work to raise awareness of the dangers facing the red squirrel in England.

Others whose pictures will be auctioned include Phil Collins, Sir Elton John, Barry Manilow, Sir Norman Wisdom, Richard E Grant, Rolf Harris, Sir Richard Branson and the Duchess of York.

Follow Up:

People celebrated National Red Squirrel Week by bidding for a red squirrel drawing created and signed by their favourite celebrity. With over 100 unique drawings in all, many included signed photos and personal messages from the celebrities themselves.

Profits for the framed drawings will go towards the work of the North East Wildlife Trusts, and The Calvert Trust, Kielder in the North East of England.

The Wildlife Trusts are comprised of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Durham Wildlife Trust and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust. Together they represent a major force for wildlife in North East England, and form part of the Red Alert campaign to save the endangered red squirrel.

The Calvert Trust provides activity holidays for people with disabilities of all kinds, at a residential centre in Kielder Forest. The charity’s mascot is Calvert Squirrel.

To see some examples (sadly not Richard’s contribution) click here.

Contributors to the celebrity auction included:

Artists

Geoff Dunbar
Keith Shackleton
Quentin Blake
Raymond Briggs
Rolf Harris
Tony Hart
William Hewison

Comedians

Adrian Edmondson
Alan Davies
David Baddiel
Frank Skinner
Griff Rhys Jones
Ian Hislop
Jenny Eclair
John Sessions
Nigel Planer
Rory Bremner
Victoria Wood

Music

Barry Manilow
Elton John
Jimmy Nail
Paul McCartney
Phil Collins
Twiggy

Other

Duchess of York
Esther Freud
Jilly Cooper
Ranulph Fiennes
Richard Branson
Will Self

Politics

Ann Widdecombe
Betty Boothroyd
David Steel
Glenda Jackson
Lord Irvine
Neil Kinnock

Soaps

Denise Welch (Coronation Street)
Johnny Briggs (Coronation Street)
Karen Drury (Brookside)
Liz Dawn (Coronation Street)
Louis Emmerick (Brookside)
Pam St Clement (Eastenders)
Paula Tubrook (Emmerdale)
Samantha Giles (Emmerdale)
Shaun Williamson (Eastenders)
Sue Jenkins (Brookside)
Thelma Barlow (Coronation Street)
Tiffany Chapman (Brookside)
Vince Earl (Brookside)
Wendy Richard (Eastenders)
William Roach (Coronation Street)

Sport

Aaron Hughes (Newcastle United Football Club)
Carl Cort (Newcastle United Football Club)
David Moorcroft
Davor Suker (Arsenal Football Club)
Geoff Boycott
Lawrie McMenemy
Sally Gunnell
Shay Given (Newcastle United Football Club)
Sid Waddell
Steve Ovett
Walter Smith

Stage & Screen

Alan Ayckbourn
Brian Blessed
Carl Davis
Charles Drake
Darcey Bussell
Diana Rigg
Donald Sinden
Edward Woodward
Helena Bonham Carter
Jane Asher
Jean Boht
Jenny Agutter
Judi Dench
Juliet Stevenson
Kenneth Branagh
Liz Fraser
Martin Jarvis
Michael Caine
Michael Winner
Norman Wisdom
Ralph Fiennes
Richard Briers
Richard E. Grant
Sean Bean
Timothy West
Tommy Steele

TV & Radio

Ainsley Harriott
Alan Robson with photo
Alan Titchmarsh
Bill Oddie
Bruce Forsyth
Charlie Dimmock
Chris Tarrant
David Bellamy
David Jacobs (BBC Radio 2)
Desmond Morris
Felicity Kendal
Gary Rhodes
Ian McCaskill
Jeremy Beadle
Jessica Holm
Jimmy Savile
Joanna Lumley
John Peel (BBC Radio 1)
June Whitfield
Kate Adie
Keith Chegwin
Ken Bruce
Kevin Whatley
Lloyd Grossman
Lorraine Kelly
Mariella Frostrup
Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 1)
Matthew Kelly
Michael Barrymore
Michael Fish
Michael Parkinson
Nicholas Parsons
Nick Ross
Patrick Moore
Penelope Keith
Richard Wilson
Robson Green
Sandy Gall
Simon King
Tim Healey
Tony Robinson