A view to a thrill

The stars turned out on Sunday night for a special tribute to James Bond author Ian Fleming, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year had he not sadly died from a heart attack in 1964 at the age of 56.

The evening at the London Palladium raised funds for the British Heart Foundation, and our Chief Executive Peter Hollins was in attendance to make a thank-you speech to the sell-out audience. Here he writes about the night...

"It was a great evening with a whole host of Bond stars, made even better by the excellent organisation which the BHF team had put into playing its part in the evening, and the fact that we had so many volunteers who had given up their Sunday evening to pass around the hat (well, bucket actually) to collect donations for us.

"I had the opportunity to thank the audience, and it’s not every day that you have the opportunity to share a stage with Stephen Fry, Jeremy Irons, Daniel Craig, Beverley Knight and about twenty ex-Bond girls, nor to be introduced by Duran Duran (albeit on film!)

"But, for me, the least star-struck of people (or simply out of touch according to my kids), the high spot of the evening was unquestionably a hug from Joanna Lumley.

"Accepting lots of money for the BHF and meeting my youthful crush, as I admitted during last year’s Valentine’s campaign, in person - how much better can life get?

"I only hope my wife doesn’t read this."

Calling all James Bond fans!

For one night only, we’ve got a licence to thrill, delight and revel in all things 007!

2008 celebrates the centenary of Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond novels, who died from heart attack in 1964. He was just 56.

As a grand finale to the centenary year, a glamorous, star-studded gala night is being held in aid of the BHF. The event takes place at 7.30pm, Sunday 5th October, at the London Palladium.

Hosted by Joanna Lumley and Stephen Fry, the evening features stars from the worlds of film and theatre, as well some of the biggest names in music performing their favourite Bond themes.

A sneak preview clip from the new James Bond film, A Quantum of Solace, along with other special surprises will ensure that it is an evening not to be missed!

Check out our website for full details of the event.

Buy tickets online from See Tickets or by calling 0844 4124657.

007 joins the fight against heart disease

He came up against many of the world's baddies in his time. But none of them was as formidable as his latest opponent - heart disease.

Now James Bond is taking on Britain's biggest killer as the family of 007 creator and author Ian Fleming, who sadly died of a heart attack in 1964, stages a series of fundraising events in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

The first of these events has just taken place in Kent, where more than £17,000 was raised at a charity golf day and auction at the Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Sandwich.

The Ian Fleming Centenary charity event celebrated the author’s life - he would have been 100 this year if he had survived. Ian Fleming played regularly at the Royal St George’s golf course and enjoyed his last game of golf at the club the day before he died, aged 56.

More than 38,000 people die prematurely of heart disease each year in the UK. The Fleming family put the event together to help us in our fight against this devastating disease.

After the day’s play, Ronnie Corbett (pictured above with the Fleming family) hosted a dinner which was attended by Bond Girl Tania Mallett, who played Tilly Masterson in Goldfinger.

The BHF spends over £100 of every minute of every day on vital heart research and they rely totally on donations of time and money to fund their work.

Sara Jane Woods, our Head of Community Fundraising, "We’d like to thank Lucy and Kate Fleming and all the people involved in the Ian Fleming Centenary golf day, who supported the BHF. They play an important role in the battle against heart disease."

What was your favourite James Bond 007 novel or film? Post a comment below and let us know!