Thinking of the best celebrities to book for your next charity event?
It’s not difficult to feign interest in a cause or charity in order to drum up some extra publicity and make yourself look good when you’re a celebrity, but for many in the celebrity world, giving back is much more than a gesture.
There are some celebrities who go above and beyond in donating not just money but time and care to the charities they care for, and here at talent management agency MN2S we’re lucky enough to have some of them on our books and available to book for all sorts of events.
From Fatman Scoop’s unlikely soft spot for those experiencing homelessness, to Amir Khan’s selfless dedication to good works and Dame Mary Peters’ hard work on behalf of multiple charitable causes, there’s plenty to recommend these celebs as people with a diverse range of interests, often outside of what they are famous for.
Check out the celebs below who’ve gone above and beyond for charity – could one of them be the ideal speaker for your next event?
American hip-hop artist Fatman Scoop is more famous for his mega track, Be Faithful, which was at number one in the UK and Ireland and also made a splash in the Australian market, but he’s also no stranger to getting involved in a little charity work.
The native New Yorker recently paid a visit to Manchester-based homelessness charity Mustard Tree to see what the organisation does, sitting in on a production by the drama group, looking around the art studio and listening to a scheme participant rapping in the music studio.
He said of the project: “I have a lot of respect for the people who come to Mustard Tree because they have the courage to ask for help and want to make a change in their life.”
It’s a far cry from the glamourous life of a jet-setting hip-hop star, but it’s proof that however superficial the music business may be, some people care about more than just appearances.
Amir Khan
If you’re looking for someone who embodies giving back, then Amir Khan is the chap you’re after – what he does for charity is less about show than it is a calling. The former champion is a professional boxer, but if you didn’t know better it would be easy to think charity work is his full-time occupation.
In 2004 when the Olympic champion was just 17 he became involved with efforts to raise money for those affected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami and since then has visited Kashmir to distribute food following a devastating earthquake and in 2013 held a fundraiser for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan, raising more than £50,000.
It’s not just raising cash that he gets involved with however, the Bolton lad has also been involved with campaigns to promote railway safety, improve the criminal justice system in the UK and encourage men to help end violence towards women.
Dame Mary Peters
You don’t become a Dame for lack of trying, and Dame Mary Peters certainly deserves that title. Not only did she pick up several Commonwealth Games medals but she also scored an Olympic Gold Medal in the 1972 Summer Olympics at a time when her personal life and training was seriously affected by political trouble in Northern Ireland.
Since retiring she has not allowed herself to be limited to just one charity, patronising several worthwhile causes. It’s no small commitment to serve as a trustee on the Outward Bound Trust as she does, but she also patronises the Springhill Hospice in Rochdale, helping to drum up funds and publicity.
With so many celebrities on the booking roster here at MN2S, it’s easy to find someone with an interest in and passion for the charity or cause that you’re trying to promote who could tie in well as a public speaker for your charity event. Contact us to find out more about booking the celebrities that we represent.