Celebrity Ambassadors
WellChild is privileged to have a diverse and talented group of Ambassadors who contribute in many ways. They help to raise our profile, introduce us to new supporters and increase awareness of WellChild and the challenges that sick children and their families face on a daily basis.
Although WellChild has been helping kids for over 30 years, some people are still unaware of the scope of work we do. We find it inspirational that our Patron, Ambassadors and supporters are prepared to use their time to help spread the word about WellChild to benefit the children who so desperately need our help. Children across the UK continue to benefit from their time and generosity.
We are very proud to announce our newest WellChild Ambassadors, Sarah Barrand, Gillian McKeith and The Candle Thieves.
Read an interview with one of our celebrity supporters, Joe Pasquale, telling us why he loves WellChild here.
Meet our fabulous Ambassadors
ADELE PARKS
Famous author Adele Parks has kindly agreed to become the latest WellChild Celebrity Ambassador.
Following her attendance at the 2011 WellChild Awards, best selling author Adele has agreed to promote and support WellChild in our work with seriously ill children and their families.
Adele has sold one and a half million copies of her books in the UK and they have been translated into 25 different languages. She has published nine novels in nine years, all of which have been Times Top Ten bestsellers.
DUNCAN BANNATYNE
We were thrilled when Duncan very kindly agreed to become a Business Ambassador for WellChild in 2008. Ever since, Duncan has been a fabulous supporter of WellChild and like all our Ambassadors has freely given his time to attend our WellChild Awards for a number of years as well as single-handedly funding our WellChild Nurse, Melanie, in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria.
Most people know Duncan as a panellist on BBC Television's Dragons' Den. His strong opinions and sharp comments to the programme's would-be entrepreneurs have made him one of the most popular Dragons in the Den. Outside of his TV appearances, Duncan is one of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs.
Please see www.bannatyne.co.uk for further information.
SCOUTING FOR GIRLS (SFG)
We were over the moon when Scouting for Girls accepted our invitation to attend our 2009 WellChild Awards, so you can imagine how happy we all were when they agreed to become Ambassadors!
During the 
summer, the boys decided to cycle from London to Brighton on children's "chopper" bikes in aid of WellChild and completed their fundraising with an acoustic concert at Komedia in Brighton. Scouting For Girls raised almost £20,000! Well done to you all.... and a huge thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
More information about SFG and their news can be found at Scouting For Girls
LAURA HAMILTON
Like Ian, Laura came on board as a founding Ambassador following her appearance at our 2007 WellChild Awards since when she willlingly gives her time to support us in many ways.
Our thanks go to Laura for coming along to the grand opening of David Lloyd Kids - one of our charity partners - at Raynes Park in March 2010. Laura joined staff from David Lloyd Leisure and one on our WellChild Awards winners, Kelsey, and his family for a fabulous day. Laura also hosted the England vs Algeria World Cup screening event for us.
Laura is best known as the female face of children’s TV channel Nickelodeon, and is currently appearing in Skating on Ice. Further information about Laura can be found at Laura Hamilton
BENEDICT ALLEN 
Benedict is one of Britain's leading adventurers and became a WellChild Ambassador in 2009.
Uniquely in television, Benedict’s philosophy is to genuinely immerse himself in extreme or alien environments, going alone and learning from indigenous people. As The Sunday Times put it: “Filming whatever actually happens, without all the hidden paraphernalia of a film crew, and whether in danger or lonely or undergoing various exotic rituals, he has effectively taken the viewers’ experience of adventure as far as it can go.”
Benedict's involvement with WellChild follows his appearance at the 2009 WellChild Awards. Additional information about Benedict's adventures can be found at Benedict Allen British Explorer Author Filmmaker and Public Speaker
IAN WAITE
In 2007, Ian became one of our founding Ambassadors, and ever since has always been more than generous in giving up his time to attend our WellChild Awards which honour the bravery and courage of the UK’s sick children and the carers who look after them.
Ian is probably most recognised for his role as one of the professional dancers on The BBC's hit show Strictly Come Dancing. He has built up a following of dedicated fans and has become a highly respected and recognisable figure and personality in the world of dance.
We are very proud that Ian is one of our long-standing celebrity Ambassadors!!
If you would like to read more abourt Ian's career, please visit Ian Waite
MARK FOSTER
Like many of our Ambassadors, Mark was inspired to become involved in WellChild after attending our Awards. Mark re-visited his Strictly Come Dancing days by taking to stage with Chris Hollins and Stavros Flately for an impromtu performance at the 2010 WellChild Awards!
Mark has also agreed to take part in the London 2011Triathlon to raise funds for us. To read all about Mark's amazing career visit Mark Foster
EMILY MAITLIS
Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis is a keen supporter of WellChild for many years and has recently become a WellChild Ambassador.
As an experienced news journalist BBC presenter Emily Maitlis is very used to reporting on stories about the tough side of life and on tales of heroism. But hearing the stories of the courageous children who WellChild supports brought a tear to Emily’s eye.
Here she tells us why the charity is so close to her heart.
KARREN BRADY
For many a year, Karren was known as the first woman in football for her role as Managing Director of Birmingham
City Football Club and turning the Club’s fortunes around. However, more recently Karren
took over from Margaret Mountford as an adviser to Lord Sugar on the BBC TV show The Apprentice.
Karren has been involved with WellChild as an Ambassador for many years.
For a more detailed account of Karren's ventures please visit her webiste Karren Brady
BEN RICHARDS
Ben graciously accepted to become a WellChild Ambassador in September 2009 having presented an award with his colleague Gary Lucy at our WellChild Awards. Ben previously played Justin in BBC Medical drama Holby City and Bruno Milligan in Footballers Wives. Ben also featured as a regular judge on the the BBC show Strictly Dance Fever.
Ben has had an extensive career in musical theatre with a range of leading roles in London's West End and on tour including starring opposite Don Johnson in Guys and Dolls, playing Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever at the London Palladium and the leading role of Jerry Lukowski in the London Cast of the hit musical The Full Monty. You can read more about Ben at Welcome to benrichards.com
JODIE SWALLOW
Jodie courteously wore the WellChild logo on her race-kit during 2009 having become a WellChild Ambassador in 2008.
In the triathlon world Jodie is well known for some of her outstanding achievements including: her three London Triathlon victories, several top five World Cup finishes, two junior European Championship gold medals and three National Triathlon Championship titles.
More information about Jodie can be seen at I follow the Swallow
SARAH BARRAND
Sarah was so moved by our WellChild Awards that she offered to become more involved in what we do; Sarah very kindly agreed to become an Ambassador and is already gathering support for us.
As an actress, Sarah may be best known for her role as Shannon Donnelly-Lawson in Footballers Wives and its ITV2 spin-off Footballers' Wives: Extra Tim. Sarah is currently in The Kid showing in cinemas across the country.
GILLIAN McKEITH
Like Sarah, Gillian attended our 2010 Awards and was humbled by the bravery shown by so many of the children. As the internationally acclaimed Holistic Nutritionist and presenter of You Are What You Eat hit Channel 4 series that took the nation by storm. Gillian most recently appeared in I'm a Celebrity, Get me out of Here.
Raised in Scotland, Gillian now travels extensively giving lectures and seminars to packed audiences. Her life long mission is to share her information and make the world a healthier place.
THE CANDLE THIEVES
Welcome to the world of the Candle Thieves – a very wonderful, weird and whimsical place. Deep thinkers can lose themselves here in gentle, poppy pleasures, and enjoy soft-hearted sentiments with sinister undertows. The band that made this world together is the brainchild of two serious songwriters, who wear big, thick-framed glasses, walk out onto the stage to the sound of the Jaws theme tune, set off bubble machines, and play glockenspiels, toy pianos, shakers and snares. They summon up the spirits of Eels, Sufjan Stevens, and the Lucksmiths in their sounds, but make wonderful songs that are utterly their own.
But who are these strange characters? They are Scott McEwan and the mysterious man who hides behind the moniker, The Glock, – two sixth form friends from Peterborough, who studied music together at college. They lost touch with each other when they left the school gates, and started to pursue the rock and roll dream. Scott McEwan became the lead singer of a rock band, while The Glock played in a Keane-like pop group that had a top 40 hit. Both have toured the world and tasted the high life, but both craved the chance to make music that was more simple and intimate.
The Candle Thieves performed at our 2010 Awards and like so many others, the courage and bravery of the children touched their hearsts and they agreed to become Ambassadors.
updated 12 January 2011
