Johnny | Charities
Johnny has a big heart, and he is know for his charity works and humanitarian efforts. Here you can know a little more about his charity projects.
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
On January 2008, Johnny Depp was set to pay a secret visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and hand over £1 million to thank them for treating his daughter Lily-Rose last year. The actor's eight-year old girl, Lily-Rose, was rushed to hospital suffering from a mystery illness while he was filming in London. Doctors eventually diagnosed the child as having been struck down with an E.coli infection, which was causing her kidneys to fail. To show his appreciation to the children's hospital, Depp visit young patients there just before Christmas dressed in his Jack Sparrow Pirates of the Caribbean costume.
Celebrity Handprints
On 2007, Johnny add his handprint to a book that will raise money for children's charities.The book, called Celebrity Handprints by James Preston, will raise money for Children in Need and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
James Preston spent the three years compiling a collection of handprints and photographs from over 100 celebrities involved in film, television, music and sport and profiles 42 stars in the book, including Johnny.
Sheila Witkin Memorial Reunion Concert
On January 28, 2007, Johnny reunited with his former band, The Kids, at a memorial concert in honor of Sheila Witkin. She was the mother of Kids guitarist Bruce Witkin and was responsible for the South Florida concert scene in the 1970's and 80's. At the Club Cinema venue in Pompano Beach, Florida, the band performed many original songs in addition to covers of U2's "I Will Follow" and The Jackson Five's "I Want You Back".
Dustin's BRacelet
11-year-old Dustin aspired to be an actor. Before he died Dustin was awarded an honorary membership in the Screen Actors Guild by Melissa Gilbert. For Dustin, each day was an adventure and an opportunity to celebrate life. Johnny Depp supports Children's Hospice Coalition by wearing a bracelet in memory of Dustin, "the little boy who wanted to be an actor. The bracelet is inscribed Today is a gift... have fun.
"I am honored to be associated with brave little Dustin by wearing this silver and leather wrist band." ~Johnny Depp
Courage to Care Awards
On October 7, 2006, Johnny Depp was honored with a Courage to Care award for his "longtime private advocacy of children and children's charities" and "because he puts smiles on the faces of thousands of children through his great work on film". The award was presented to Johnny by Jennifer Lopez, the 2004 Courage to Care honoree. In his acceptance speech, Johnny said he was humbled by the award and thanked the doctors and nurses of the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles for their generosity. "The courage that I have seen in the eyes of these little ones, that you don't see anywhere else, is astonishing and inspiring," said Johnny in his acceptance speech.
Charity Actions
Johnny Depp has participated in several celebrity charity auctions. In 2005, Johnny donated a shirt that he wore in the film The Libertine. Johnny sent the shirt to a British fan after she wrote to him asking if he could donate something to charity. The shirt was auctioned off on the internet; the winning bid was $3,000 and was placed by a woman from the United States. Additionally, an autographed pair of Johnny Depp's briefs were auctioned off in 2004 and bought for £1600, allegedly by none other than British soccer star David Beckham, who was rumored to have had the underwear framed and hung proudly on his bedroom wall. The proceeds went to Helen & Douglas House, a UK-based charity.
Charities supported
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