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I couldn't judge awards




Carol Vorderman has vowed never to judge the Pride Of Britain Awards again, because it's too hard choosing between the finalists.

The TV presenter will host the awards for the 11th time on October 5, but revealed she didn't enjoy the task of whittling down the list of deserving nominees to choose the winners.

Carol said: "I was on the panel once, but said I wouldn't do it again after that - it was too hard - everyone on the shortlist deserves it."

She added: "My excuse is I say 'I don't think I should be on the panel' but the truth is I found it very difficult."

Carol revealed some of the winners don't even understand what they have done to deserve the recognition they get at the Pride Of Britain Awards.

She said: "They are terribly modest people, some of them exude an air that says they're not into new-age anything. You sense a presence around them, like they're so good and full of goodness, largely. Others are exceptionally brave, or so kind. And loving to everyone. They take your breath away. But they don't think they're special, in fact some are even embarrassed by it.

"They don't realise why they're there. They praise the other winners, genuinely, because they recognise what the other people have done is marvellous but they don't see what they've done as being special."

Credit: The Press Association
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23:24 • , , • 0 comments

Carol Vorderman Countdown Montage



Credit: Shelfie and Interestingweekly
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Carol Vorderman Run for the Future



Maths mastermind Carol Vorderman led the countdown to start 1,000 people on their way around the Downs for this year's Run for the Future.

Organised by Bristol Rotarians, record numbers of men, women, children and even dogs raced 5km around the Downs to raise funds for the Bristol Urological Institute's (BUI) Prostate Cancer Appeal.

Lord Mayor Chris Davies blasted a horn to start the runners, many of whom were wearing tributes to fathers, grandfathers, uncles and friends who had been affected by the disease.


He said: "This is a fantastic effort by the organisers, runners and stewards. On behalf of prostate cancer sufferers now and in the future, I'd like to thank all the runners for the funds they raise.

Ms Vorderman said: "My mum has had two forms of cancer, ovarian cancer and then kidney cancer, and both of those were caught in the very early stages, so I'm very aware of how getting tested early on can help save lives.

"Women have smear tests and so why shouldn't men be tested for this? It's been a fantastic day and there is a great atmosphere here."

Olympic runner Nick Rose was first around the course. He said: "I'm here to support prostate cancer and if running a race can do that then that's great. In the last three years this event has enabled more and more research to be done.

"The Bristol Rotary club do a great job of raising awareness for this very worthy cause."

Mr Rose was closely followed by Simon Prior, 40, and his son Luke, 11, from Burnham-on-Sea, and Victoria Kenny, 14, the first female around the course.

Wearing orange tutus Lucie Pillinger, 27, from Whitchurch, and Heidi Waldron, 27, from Stockwood, said they were thrilled to finish the race.

Ms Pillinger said: "I'm running for my Dad who has prostate cancer, this is the second time we've run and Heidi is four months pregnant so she's done brilliantly. It's been a great day and between us we've raised over £350."

Among the supporters at the event was David Gillatt, director of BUI, who collapsed on the course last year with a heart attack.

He said: "I've been banned from taking part by my wife and daughter, otherwise I'd be running. I see where the funding for this goes and it will help create better tests to identify prostate cancer and help research and treatment in Bristol."

Organiser Martina Peattie said the event had raised £130,000 in the last three years it has been running.

She said: "This is almost twice the number of people taking part than we had last year, it's fantastic really. We've had lovely weather, it's been a great day.

"As many men die from prostate cancer as women from breast cancer, but men don't tend to raise awareness like women can.

"We started this four years ago after members of our rotary club died mainly through ignorance of the disease.

"We want to raise awareness and let people know they can go and have a test. We're also really pleased to see some Afro Caribbean teams here today, as research has shown they are actually three times more likely to develop the disease."

For a full list of entrants in this year's Run for the Future see today's Evening Post newspaper.
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06:32 • , , • 0 comments

Vorderman becomes City trader



Carol Vorderman, Jonathan Ross, Rory Bremner and Lisa Snowdon took over the trading floor of a City firm to raise money for charity - and some of them even considered a career change.

The annual event, held on BGC Partners' trading floors around the world, was originally founded in honour of employees who perished in the World Trade Center eight years ago.

The celebrities were raising funds for their chosen charities including Barnados, Breast Cancer Care, Help for Heroes and The Variety Club.


The brokerage fees, commission the company takes for each trade, will be donated to the chosen causes.

Television presenter Jonathan made himself at home on the trading floor, even putting his feet up on the desk.

He shouted down the phone at one buyer: "It's yours for £10 million, take the rest of the day off.

"Get Derren Brown on the phone, he can get you the numbers in advance."

After the trade he said he had no idea what he had been doing, "but it's worth £10 million to someone".

He added: "I didn't feel like Gordon Gekko, I felt more like Gordon Brown and he might not necessarily know what he's doing."

TV presenter Carol Vorderman also seemed to take it in her stride, saying: "I love these screens with numbers on them. I could do this, I could do this!"



Credit: Daily Mail and BGC Charity Day
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