One of Liverpool's best loved children's TV stars, 'The Art Attack Man' Neil Buchanan, has just painted an image especially to raise funds for the Alder Hey Imagine Appeal. Entitled A Little HOPE, the endearing original has been reproduced into 495 limited edition stretched canvases.

The enchanting and nostalgic pieces of art are ready to hang and 10 per cent of the sales price of each image is being donated directly by Art Attic Publishing to the Alder Hey Imagine Appeal.

Neil Buchanan said: 'Having worked with children for two decades I would like to give something back and have saved A Little HOPE especially for the Alder Hey Imagine Appeal.'

The picture, which features a little boy earnestly praying at the end of his bed, whilst his big sister sneakily peers over her shoulder to check her younger brother is 'doing it properly', sees the two trademarks of Neil's paintings coming to the fore - namely humour and nostalgia!

The cheeky Liverpudlian who says he is 'a sucker for nostalgia' loves nothing more than painting 'a bit of a gag' into his paintings. To order A Little HOPE visit http://neilbuchanan.co.uk/a_little_HOPE.htm

Neil Buchanan said: 'As a performer I want my pictures to perform for you and I hope that A Little HOPE will make you smile! Every night we would pray for health, happiness, peace and love ... 'cos where there is love - there is always HOPE.'

Neil will also visit Alder Hey children's hospital on Friday 7 October between 2-3pm to view the amazing Alder Hey Arts programme. Neil will personally dedicate and present A Little HOPE to be hung in the hospital. To order A Little HOPE visit http://neilbuchanan.co.uk/a_little_HOPE.htm 

Nicola Roberts is fronting a new fashion campaign with a difference to raise money for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal. The Girls Aloud star turned solo artist revealed how pleased she is to support Alder Hey, "I am really excited to be fronting the Clothes Throw 2011 campaign! I'm an avid supporter of Alder Hey Imagine Appeal. I visit Alder Hey and the patients there really touch my heart.'

The Clothes Throw is in its third year but has been able to expand greatly with the help of Liverpool ONE. Alongside Nicola a host of celebrities and retailers have donated clothes and accessories to raise money for the children's hospital. Daniel Craig has donated his suit from the Casino Royale tour; Sienna Miller and Dame Shirley Bassey are also amongst some of the celebrities while Liverpool ONE retailers including Imagine Patron Kirsty Doyle, Jones Bootmakers and John Lewis have donated to the Clothes Throw.

Nicola explained that anyone can get involved, 'There are three ways you can help with the Alder Hey Clothes Throw: donate clothes, hold your own Clothes Throw party or attend any of the official Clothes Throw events in Liverpool ONE.' Everyone can help by finding something in their wardrobe they no longer wear and donate it.'

Before the campaigns even launched, a number of the charities followers on Twitter have already signed up to hold their own Clothes Throw parties. The idea is that it's swishing with a heart. A guilt free way off updating your wardrobe while giving some previously loved items that may no longer fit a new home. The Clothes Throw is very 'now' in the age of austerity; vintage is massively on the rise as is the customisation of clothes and accessories. 

People can sign up to hold their own Clothes Throw parties at home, work, or larger venues buying their no longer worn clothes and accessories from each other. Fashion expert Joanne Watkinson, Womenswear buyer for my-wardrobe.com who personally supports Alder Hey Imagine Appeal explained, 'The Clothes Throw is the perfect guilt free indulgence, combining fashion, shopping and celebrity and all for an amazing charity, I can't think of a better reason to get involved!'

Everyone who signs up to throw a party will receive a Clothes Throw party pack with everything they need to know about throwing the perfect fundraising party. The pack also includes 'The Clothes Throw Style Bible' a short publication edited by fashion insiders delving into other people's wardrobes looking celebrities of all ages, Autumn/Winter 2011 wardrobe essentials from those who grace the catwalks at international fashion shows and shopping for vintage tips for men and women.

Chris Done, Senior Fundraising Manager for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal added, 'To have the support of Nicola Roberts and Liverpool ONE is amazing for us. They are the perfect partners to help us expand the Clothes Throw. Alder Hey is the first choice provider of care for more than 80% of the UK's healthcare commissioners and we are responsible for the health of more children than any other UK hospital. We hope the whole of the UK will get behind us and we'd love to see Clothes Throw parties popping up all over the country! Every pound and penny raised from The Clothes Throw will go directly to the Alder Hey Imagine Appeal.'

There will be an official week of Clothes Throw events in October in Liverpool ONE's Palm Sugar and a pop-up Clothes Throw shop in a secret location in Liverpool ONE. The week will be a series of glitzy catwalk shows, fashion workshops and the chance to buy some amazing clothes!

To find out more information or to support the Clothes Throw go to www.theclothesthrow.com or visit Liverpool ONE information centre

The unique gold coin which portrayed former Beatle John Lennon on the obverse was sold for a staggering USD 96,600 at auction in London. The coin, part of the 'Great Britons' series from Alderney in the Channel Islands portrayed John Lennon and was issued in 2010, which would have been the 70th birthday of the iconic singer.

The coin, originally issued to collectors in both cupro-nickel and sterling silver from the Royal Mint in the United Kingdom was minted as a one-off 22 carat gold strike and presented to Yoko Ono Lennon, for her assistance and support of the Great Britons series as well as consulting on the portrait used on the coin. When told of the extraordinary amount the coin reached at auction, Yoko stated: 'As Honorary Patron of the Alder Hey 'Imagine' Appeal I am delighted with the amazing amount raised from this coin. I know it will make a real difference to some of the 250,000 children and young people they see at the hospital every year'.

After a bidding contest which included collectors from Asia, America, Europe and the Middle East with interested parties bidding over the telephone and via the internet, a bid of GBP 58,000 (USD 93,300) was achieved by telephone bids with lightening speed after the opening bid of GBP 4,000 (USD 6,400) and was eventually out-bid by an interested party in the room. The successful winner bid a staggering GBP 60,000, securing the unique one of a kind numismatic treasure to cheers and clapping.

Bonham's began the bidding by stating that there had been substantial interest in the unique gold coin after it had been the subject of attention from the press and featured in a live interview on CNN's 'The Brief' two weeks before the scheduled auction. The successful bidder so far remains anonymous but expressed their pleasure at having won the item with smiles and acknowledgement of the cheers from a stunned crowd. The coin had been dubbed 'the star attraction' by the auctioneer and after only six more lots, the auction was concluded.

CRICKET hero Andrew Flintoff donated £600,000 to fund a children's rehabilitation unit at Alder Hey. The former England cricket captain was today set to open the centre at the West Derby children's hospital and the project has been carried out by the AF Foundation, a charity Andrew set up with his wife, Rachael. It raises money to build and develop child rehabilitation and physiotherapy units throughout the UK, but Alder Hey was chosen as their first project. The unit will treat children who have suffered from a range of serious injuries and conditions. 

Andrew - nicknamed Freddie - said: 'We are delighted and so very proud to be able to open our very first flagship unit. 'It is thanks to all the fundraising by our supporters who have enabled this to happen. We are at the start of a fantastic journey which will make a huge difference to children all over the country.' 

Chris Done, fundraising manger at Alder Hey, said: 'It is just fantastic when you see what they have done to the place, it is completely transformed. 'We are delighted they chose to open their first flagship unit here at Alder Hey. It was a big space before, but did not have the equipment. Now it is so bright and there is so much for the children to do. Andrew has spent so much time in physio himself so he know what it is like, he knows how boring it can be and how much you have to do.' 

The charity has worked closely with specialised rehabilitation teams, consultants and patients to create a blueprint for the centre. Charity bosses said most rehabilitation units have highly-skilled staff, but the buildings and facilities are often overlooked when it comes to funding. The AF Foundation's aim is to redesign and refurbish these units and supply up-to-date equipment.

Alder Hey Imagine Appeal Patron Sheree Murphy and Channel 4 Racing presenter Emma Spencer competed in a tapas challenge last night at an event 'Under Starters Orders' to raise money for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal. Over £15,000 was raised for the charity in the Salt House Tapas. Sheree came out on top getting 100% of the vote for the tastiest menu. Model and Echo columnist Amanda Harrington and actress Suzanne Collins competed to make the best cocktail and Amanda's cosmopolitan came out on top. The night was hosted by Simon O'Brien and Andrew Lancel and Kim Tiddy stopped by to serve guests. Auction lots included a signed picture of Imagine Patron and last years Grand National winner AP McCoy which went for £2,200. 

The event was part of Alder Hey Imagine Appeal's Grand National fundraising as they've been chosen as the official charity of the John Smith's Grand National for the sixth year running. Hotels such as Hard Days Night and the Marriott and restaurants around the city have signed up to add a £1 donation to bills over the racing period for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal.