Moore has a licence to fill charity coffers
By John Besley for Canoe Network, 11th Dec 1996

Roger Moore doesn't say "live and let die" anymore.

The onetime James Bond has turned all his secret-agent charm toward a good cause - inspired by the humanitarian pursuits of his friend, the late Audrey Hepburn.

"I'm deeply ashamed of myself," the former 007 confessed to a crowd of 600 Ottawans, who paid $40 each to have Moore appear for their eyes only.

"I was busy with my own agenda," he said of his early career. "Audrey Hepburn opened my eyes."

Moore was in town yesterday to raise awareness for iodine deficiency disorders, which affect more than 1.5 billion people in developing countries.

Lack of iodine is the world's largest cause of brain damage and mental retardation, Moore said.

Ottawa's Kiwanis Club brought Moore in as part of a campaign to raise $75 million for UNICEF's program to end IDD by the year 2000, mainly by putting iodine in salt.

They presented Moore, the honorary campaign chairman, with a cheque for $204,000.

During his visit, Moore got Ottawa's best movie-star treatment. He met with Prime Minister Jean Chretien, and Mayor Jacquelin Holzman proclaimed yesterday Roger Moore IDD Awareness Day.

Moore said he told Chretien "Canadians are remarkable (because) your generosity knows no bounds, you give from your pockets and your hearts."

He also toured Corel Corp., where Michael Cowpland gave the Kiwanis Club a collection of electronic photos to sell on the Internet. Sales of $200,000 a year are expected.

© Canoe Network 1996-2005

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