Jonathan Rhys-Meyers Supports HOPE
18th August 2008
The HOPE Foundations 24-hour volunteer fast was launched today by HOPE ambassador Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. HOPE, who work for the street children of Kolkata, are organising the 24-hour fast in conjunction with the National Day of Volunteering ‘Give it A Swirl Day’, which will take place on Friday the 26th of September 2008.
HOPE is encouraging everyone nationally to get involved, get sponsored and get fasting! The foundation is hoping to have over 2,500 people abstaining on the day for the abused and abandoned street children of Kolkata.
Taking a break from his work on The Tudors to support this worthwhile event, Jonathan urged people to get involved with the fast adding, “Together we can make a difference”.
He continued: “The support of the worlds children must be nourished and by doing so everyone will benefit.” HOPE is calling on all those interested to join them on the 24-Hour Sponsored Fast and help HOPE’s work with the most vulnerable in our society - the forgotten street children of Kolkata.
Read the rest of this entry »
The American Red Cross of Greater New York is holding a special premiere of “The Children of Huang Shi” on Sunday, May 18 at 6:30pm at the DGA Theatre (110 W. 57th St.) There will be a pre-screening reception with director and cast and post screening reception. You can learn more on the NY Red Cross website, where you can also purchase tickets (starting at $100/ticket.) The premiere is being held to benefit Red Cross volunteer recruitment and preparedness training in “at risk” communities in New York City.
Additionally, Jonathan will be attending press rounds on May 15 in Los Angeles and May 19 in NYC. This is where he’s able to interview with a variety of online and TV press one after another in one place.
Source: 59walnut56, Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre
More details about Jonathan’s involvement with the Hope Foundation. From the Irish Independent:
Meyers to be face of ‘Calcutta’ charity
By Ralph Riegel
Tuesday February 19 2008
AN IRISH charity last night celebrated securing Golden Globe winning actor, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, as its international goodwill ambassador.
The 31-year-old Cork actor has agreed to work with the Hope Foundation to highlight the plight of street children in India.
Hope — which was founded in Cork nine years ago — is now involved in a total of 57 different projects in India including ventures to help street children in Calcutta.
Rhys-Meyers will now work with the charity to highlight their work — and he is expected to visit India to record a special TV documentary on the Irish charity’s operations.
The Irish star — whose mother died tragically in Cork last year — is regarded as one of the world’s top young actors.
Despite being just 30, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers has already appeared in 35 major film and TV productions and is regarded as one of the world’s brightest acting talents.
The past 18 months has marked a dramatic ascent in the actor’s fortunes with a Golden Globe award, several critically acclaimed films and a starring role in the steamy British TV series ‘The Tudors’, playing King Henry VIII.
Last night, Hope official Maureen Forrest admitted they were thrilled with the support of Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.
“He is committed to visit Calcutta and to do a documentary in Calcutta with the children. He is terribly interested in children’s rights so he has spoken very positively about trying to highlight the problems with child trafficking and child labour,” Ms Forrest said.
“He is going to be in Ireland for the next four months so he has also said he wants to work with us as closely as possible.”
Jonathan has been named the ambassador for a charity foundation that strives to help children in Calcutta, India:
Rhys Meyers to help Calcutta children
Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers has revealed his plans to champion the rights of children living on the streets of Calcutta.
The Hollywood star was unveiled at a ceremony in Dublin today as the ambassador for the Hope Foundation, a charity formed in his native Cork.
Rhys Meyers said: “I’m deeply honoured to become an ambassador for an organisation like the Hope Foundation.”
“Hope, an initiative started in my native Cork over eight years ago, has provided shelter, medical care and support to some of the world’s poorest and most mistreated children, the street children of Calcutta.”
“If I can use my name and celebrity to advance awareness of the great work the Hope Foundation does in some small way then I am delighted to be able to do so.”
Rhys Meyers plans to visit Calcutta this year to see for himself the appalling conditions the street children are forced to live in.
Hope, founded in 1999 by a group of women in Cork, works with its 13 Indian NGO partner groups to take children off the streets and improve their quality of life.
Hope director Maureen Forrest said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jonathan as our ambassador and we look forward to forging a strong relationship with him.”
Rhys Meyers was named Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama for his role in ‘The Tudors’ at last night’s Irish Film and Television Awards.
Source: RTÉ
You can find out more about the work the Hope Foundation does on their website.
The upcoming Chicago Film Festival will have a special screening of “August Rush” on October 13th at 12:00pm as part of a Family Focus showcase for films geared to family audiences. You can look into purchasing tickets online.
Like last year, Jonathan again played in a charity football match for St. Killian’s in Dublin to aid the Bray Women’s Refuge early this month. And this Saturday, Jonathan is expected to participate in a special event for Tara Heritage Day. From the Gaiety School of Acting website:
Help Stuart Townsend, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and internationally reknowned Aerial Artist, John Quigley create the worlds’ first GIANT HUMAN HARP at TARA HERITAGE DAY.
We need hundreds of people to gather at the Hill of Tara on Sunday, 23rd September from 1:30pm to 3:30pm to form the human aerial art image of a giant harp and a Tara heritage preservation message. Many of Ireland’s top harpists will accompany the performance. The event will be directed by internationally reknowned Aerial Artist, John Quigley and participants include Irish born international film stars Stuart Townsend and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as well as musicans, historians and scholars. The image will be photographed from an aircraft at 3pm. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch.
Spectral Q and the Save Tara Campaign are hosting Tara Heritage Day. Spectral Q has created similar human ‘aerial art’ images around the world including the Arctic, Antarctica, the Amazon Rainforest, London, New York, Los Angeles, Geneva, Miami, Toronto, Washington D.C., Copenhagen, New Orleans and others. To see images please check: www.SpectralQ.com. The Save Tara campaign is seeking to reroute the M3 motorway to preserve the ancient sites of the sacred Tara Valley. For more information please check: www.savetara.com.
Sources: tdonline, mouret, Gaiety School of Acting
I just ran across an ebay auction that benefits the charity Living Beyond Breast Cancer. The auction ends in 4 hours and is for a limited edition pink brush signed by Jonathan. All proceeds benefit this charity that aims to empower women affected by breast cancer.
Last night, Jonathan took part in a charity soccer game at St. Killian’s in Dublin to aid the Bray Women’s Refuge. Various cast and crew from “The Tudors” took part and went head to head in the match up. From the Bray People Newspaper, Jonathan is quoted as saying, “Yeah, it was a great night. It’s just great to get out on the evening with the lads here, especially as it’s just for such a good cause. It was great fun.” The event is expected to have raised over £1000.
More details on the modeling show where Jonny introduced the Versace collection. It was a modeling charity benefit show called the Brown Thomas International Fashion Show at the Pointe Depot. All proceeds went to the Chernobyl Childrens Project headed by Bono’s wife, Ali Hewson. (Thanks Rebecca…)
Also finally found out official word on when “Gormenghast” is set to premiere in the US. Saturday, June 10 at 8pm EST and 5pm PST, “Gormenghast” will premiere on BBC America, a cable station. The remaining episodes are to air June 17, 24 and July 1 at 10pm EST and 7pm PST. Visit their website to learn how you can subscribe to their channel.
And lastly, just a reminder that you can now pre-order the DVD of B. Monkey at Amazon.com. It’s available March 21. It will also be available to rent on VHS.
