Gwyneth hails ex-addict's success - Mar 19 2008
Film star Gwyneth Paltrow has paid tribute to a reformed heroin and crack addict who has set up a business educating thousands of school children and prisoners on the dangers of drugs and binge-drinking.

Ian Fisher, 20, from the Wirral, Merseyside, won the Learning and Skills Council Young Achiever Award at a ceremony organised by the Prince's Trust and attended by the Prince of Wales, who established the charity more than 30 years ago.

Gwyneth said: "Ian has shown remarkable will-power and strength of character to overcome drug addiction and prison. I am personally humbled by how such a young man can put his past experiences to good use and help others avoid similar problems."

She added: "I am a great admirer of The Prince of Wales. The work he has done through his charity to help young people is quite remarkable."

Kevin Spacey, Richard E Grant and Stardust's Charlie Cox were among those gathered at the event at London's Odeon Leicester Square.

Fellow actor Damian Lewis presented the RBS Community Impact Award to a team of unemployed young people who revived a Second World War memorial garden in Witton, Birmingham.

Damian said: "Civilians who died in the World War II heavy bombing were often buried without a permanent tombstone. I think the young people from this Prince's Trust team did an amazing thing, providing a crucial place for relatives to remember their lost ones."

Gwyneth films charity video - Feb 29 2008
Gwyneth Paltrow has recorded a video for Unicef to help raise money to prevent children being born with the HIV virus.

The 35-year-old actress agreed to take part in the charity’s campaign after some gentle persuasion from friend Jemima Khan.

Jemima is urging world leaders to honour their 2007 pledge for Aids funding that would allow all pregnant women with the virus to receive treatment and care to ensure that their babies are born free from HIV.

"I asked Gwyneth if she would agree to do a voiceover for the film, as she is a mother with a global profile who I know is a supporter for Unicef," Jemima told People.com

The video, which can be found online at www.unicef.org.uk, sees the mother-of-two narrating a four-minute dramatisation of a Simon Armitage poem about the unwanted "gift" of mothers passing on the virus to their unborn children.

"I hope that this new short film will raise awareness and funds about this issue and Unicef will be able to reach every woman with the vital care and medicines they need," Gwyneth said in a statement released during the film launch.

Gwyneth: Madonna is so generous - Feb 8 2008
Gwyneth Paltrow paid tribute to her friend Madonna’s generosity, as she stepped out for the Queen of Pop’s New York Gucci benefit to raise funds for Malawi.

"She’s always been committed to helping," Gwyneth - who wore a pink dress with a huge bow - told Access Hollywood.

"In a big picture way, she’s the most generous person in the world and she’s always thinking about how she can help.

"Malawi’s become very close to her heart, obviously as her son is from Malawi, and she’s spent a lot of time and dedication doing what she can, and it’s really nice to support them tonight."

The Material Girl admitted it had taken eight months to put together the star-studded event, which raised millions of dollars for Unicef and her non-profit organisation, Raising Malawi, the country where she adopted her son, David Banda.

"I feel incredibly honoured and blessed, and I can’t believe it’s happening," said Madonna. "I feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility."