Ioan's Favourite Causes
I thought I would start this thread, as news has surfaced that Ioan is patron (with Matthew) of TrustPA, a charity set up to raise funds for research into spinal injuries, following a rugby accident which paralysed a friend of theirs from Cardiff. You can read more at..... http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/Celebrities-rugby-player-PA-s-cause/article-461507-detail/article.html

Ioan and Matthew have been patrons of TrustPA for the past 6 or so years. Matthew especially has been pretty involved in fundraising and events. Another oldie, but back in the day he supported Tenovus by taking part in one of their informational videos. Also I believe he and Matthew donated some items to be auctioned off to aid the tsunami relief effort a few years ago. Oh and I remember something about a helpline for teachers in Wales??? or something like that. Though again, this was a long time ago.

Add to the list, the artwork he bought earlier this year on The Apprentice. The proceeds from the auction gave money in support of wounded soldiers.

Such kind hearts,----the BOTH of them,heh Stevie,GG,and Jess?

Seems Ioan's latest cause is Barack Obama........ (thanks to Nobody) http://www.mrpoplife.com/2009/01/very-latest-sighting-of-ioan-gruffudd-at-dream-bigger-studio-for-a-recording-for-a-barack-obama-vide.html

That sounds interesting. Maybe we'll get to hear the "message" some day. Sure is a cute picture of him.........

I am proud Ioan does charity. :) Hehe and I was curious to see if you would talk about his "new!," interest for Obama. You are. I wonder if he is really a "fan" of the new president or just trying to get pubblicity. In your opinion? Thanks for the untagg picture!

Well, it's just my opinion, but I think Ioan would be genuinely supportive of Obama. He seems to have been brought up to be kind and considerate, which has sometimes landed him in hot water and I think had he been a McCain supporter, he would have kept quiet about it. I daresay there is an element of publicity about all those who participated in the ad - it's the nature of their profession, afterall :cool: Personally, I like that he has shown his hand.......

THANK YOU for your opinion. Right, about the advertisement. They are actors, they need it anyway. About the "side he picked", I guess yes. He would have been criticized if he used to support Mccain and now the winner, haha.

Agreed on the element of publicity. I don't know what to think about his his taking sides. Perhaps he decided to be in the vid for Obama to wish good luck to the US president-elect and would have done the same for McCain, if McCain had won instead of Obama. I think that as US resident, this is something perfectly acceptable for Ioan to do. However, as he is not a US citizen, I think it was wise of him to keep quiet about US politics before November 4, 2008.

To me, a message of support to any incoming President whether a citizen or a resident, a supporter or opposed pre- election is a good thing. Once an election is over as a citizen of the U.S., I hope that the President makes wise choices and does what it best for the majority of the residents. It's a hard enough task, but worse without some support, especially at first. If later actions prove to be a problem, that is when you protest. So, it's nice that Ioan giving Obama a message of congratuations and support.

I guess that there are many people - no matter whether they are US citizens or not, or whether they are US residents or not - who would like to give Obama messages of congratulations and hope that he will make wise decisions and do a good job while he is the President of a country that has so much influence on world events, and this is okay. I also think that there are many people who don't live in the US who had their idea about whom they would have liked to see at the head of the US before the election actually took place. I just don't know if it is appropriate of someone who is not a US citizen and, therefore, can't vote in a presidential election in the US to take sides pre-election. In the end, it is up to the US citizens - whether they live in the US or abroad - to decide where they would like their country to go to. BTW, even if you live in the US, it is easy for foreigners to go back to the country they are originally from, if they don't approve of the direction their 'host country' has taken.

If you are curious what was made of the message to Barack Obama, here is the link to it: http://www.myspace.com/presidentialpledge

Thanks Frances. Those are great pledges. I hope that people will live up to them even if President Elect Obama disappoints when he is in office. One person can't do much of anything by themselves. We all have to take responsibilty for our world. Nice message.

In fact, I liked how Obama kept repeating "Yes, we can," because I think that a President is just a human being and can't do miracles, no matter how intelligent and wise s/he is, and s/he can only succeed if everyone does his/her bit to contribute to a country's well-being.