Our celebrity ambassadors and supporters are committed to helping us change childhoods and change lives.
They help us to drive positive change for children and young people by raising awareness of the challenges they face and inspiring more people to join Barnardo’s to donate, volunteer, shop, and campaign with us so we can continue to be here for the children, young people, and families who need us.
Anila Dhami, ambassador
Anila is a journalist and presenter who has worked for 5 News, ITV News London, and LBC. In 2023, she was presented with an Asian Women of Achievement award.
She has attended Barnardo’s parliamentary events, chaired panel discussions and hosted fundraisers to help raise vital funds for the charity.
I believe all children deserve their chance. They’re the future and they should have an equitable start in life. I want them to thrive and to realise their own potential and believe the way we hold their hands can positively shape the foundations upon which we create society.
So, I am a proud ambassador of Barnardo’s because they aim to help transform the lives of the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK through their various incredible services which I am pleased to support.
Anila Dhami
Ambassador
Chris Harper, ambassador
An actor and director, Chris was appointed as an ambassador in 2017. He has appeared in The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, Upstairs Downstairs, Life on Mars and Call the Midwife.
He’s also appeared in Coronation Street in which his character, Nathan Curtis, was involved in a high profile child grooming and exploitation storyline.
Chris has helped raise awareness about our national campaigns on child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Playing Nathan in Coronation Street drew my attention to the vital work Barnardo’s does to prevent abuse and to support children and young people.
The Grooming of Bethany Platt storyline has affected many survivors and helped start conversations between parents and their children. When Nathan returned to Weatherfield, I knew I had another chance to shout about the vital work Barnardo’s does to prevent grooming and to support survivors.
Chris Harper
Ambassador
Daley Thompson CBE, ambassador
Former decathlete Daley is one of the UK's greatest all-round athletes. He is the holder of four world records, two Olympic gold medals, and three Commonwealth titles.
Daley has supported us for over 20 years, most notably leading our annual training day for people running the London Marathon as part of Team Barnardo’s to raise money to deliver our services supporting children, young people and families across the UK.
Just like Barnardo’s, I believe in children – all of them. The shy and quiet ones, the cheeky ones, even the ones who try to test everyone’s patience! Because, at the end of the day they are children – young minds who are trying to find their way in the world.
Children really shouldn’t be categorised as ‘difficult’ or ‘troublemakers’, they should be encouraged to believe in themselves. Only then can they ever hope to turn their lives around. That is why I wholeheartedly support Barnardo’s work.
Daley Thompson CBE
Ambassador
Debbie Bright, Fostering and Adoption ambassador
Debbie is known for appearing in ITV’s reality series, The Only Way is Essex.
She has fostered over 200 children over the past three decades and helped to raise the profile of fostering across the UK. In 2019, she was awarded the Fostering Network’s President’s Award for her exceptional contribution to fostering.
Since becoming an ambassador in 2012, she has regularly attended parliamentary events and supported our national fostering campaigns helping to raise awareness of the need for more foster carers and inspiring more people to consider caring for a child who cannot live with their birth family.
I have been a foster carer for 32 years now so know how important it is to support those who truly need it. Barnardo's has so many amazing programmes that embrace the needs of families and children. They believe that every child matters and has the right to a childhood where they can reach their full potential.
I am proud to have walked alongside such positive, compassionate, and committed people. Without Barnardo's, children would not reach their full potential enabling them to thrive into adulthood.
Debra Bright
Fostering and Adoption ambassador
Fay Ripley, ambassador
Fay is an award-winning actress best known for playing Jenny Gifford in ITV’s award-winning series, Cold Feet. She has also appeared in Doc Martin, Reggie Perrin, Hustle, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Perrin, and Moving On. She is the author of 3 cookbooks, Fay's Family Food, What's for Dinner? and Fay Makes it Easy.
Fay has supported Barnardo’s for over 20 years helping to raise money at our fundraising events, influencing change at parliamentary events, and raising awareness about our national campaigns on issues like child poverty.
I’ve supported Barnardo's for a long time because they believe in children and their right to have the best life from the beginning. There is such hope for the future if our children are a priority. Barnardo's sees all children as a priority.
Fay Ripley
Ambassador
Heather Small MBE, ambassador
One of the most recognisable voices of the 90s British music scene, Heather is the former lead vocalist of M People who achieved worldwide success with a string of hits including Moving on Up, One Night in Heaven, Proud, and Search for the Hero.
Heather is a long-standing Barnardo’s ambassador and has performed at our Young Supporters concert helping to raise money to deliver our vital services.
Barnardo’s believes in children and I believe in Barnardo's. It has been my honour to be an ambassador for several years and I look forward to many more supporting this amazing cause.
Heather Small MBE
Ambassador
Jason Flemyng, ambassador
Actor Jason is best known for starring in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Layer Cake, and Boiling Point.
A long-term supporter of Barnardo's, Jason has taken part in our Big Toddle fundraising event, visited services, and raised awareness about our national campaigns on topics including child poverty in the UK.
My journey into adulthood was supported by a loving mum who sacrificed everything and worked hard to provide me with choices as I was growing up. This is what enables children to develop into a young adult and pursue their passions.
Barnardo's helps children who don’t have choices or a good start, by helping them work out their place in life. I help them because I didn't need it, because I was one of the lucky ones.
Jason Flemyng
Ambassador
Katherine Parkinson, ambassador
Actress Katherine rose to fame with her BAFTA-nominated performance in the IT Crowd. She has appeared in Doc Martin, Humans, We Are Here, Significant Other, and Rivals.
She was appointed an ambassador in 2019 and has taken part in several challenge events raising money for Barnardo’s and supported our child poverty campaigns.
Barnardo's strives to provide children with things all children should have, making them safer, happier and healthier. I have been so impressed by seeing the work that Barnardo's does.
When I was at school I collected money in my Barnardo's money box house, and I'm so proud to still be involved with them today.
Katherine Parkinson
Ambassador
Nicola Roberts, ambassador
Singer and songwriter Nicola is a former member of Girls Aloud. She has written material for Little Mix, Cheryl Cole, and Diplo.
Nicola was appointed an ambassador in 2011 and has supported our national campaigns including raising awareness of the need for more foster carers and the prevention of child sexual exploitation.
I am honoured to work with Barnardo's and be able to lend my voice to the issues the young people in their care face. Young people find themselves in vulnerable situations mostly due to the choices of adults. To see a child with no innocence in their eyes is heart-breaking.
We must do better now to protect our children from physical and emotional abuse which can last a lifetime and shape the next generation to come.
Nicola Roberts
Ambassador
Dame Helen Mirren, celebrity supporter
Dame Helen’s acclaimed stage and screen career spans six decades for which she has been awarded multiple accolades including an Oscar, four BAFTAs, five Emmys, three Golden Globes, an Olivier and a Tony. She has been honoured with the BAFTA Fellowship, the Honorary Golden Bear, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
Dame Helen’s long-standing support for Barnardo’s work includes raising awareness for our national campaigns to drive positive change for children and young people and supporting our fundraising activities to raise vital donations to deliver our services.
I’m proud to have been a supporter of Barnardo’s for many years because they believe in placing children and young people at the very heart of everything they do.
Through the dedication and expertise of their wonderful service workers and volunteers, they protect and support children and young people so that they have the chance to lead happy and rewarding lives.
Dame Helen Mirren
Celebrity supporter
We are also incredibly grateful for support from Ashley John-Baptiste, Daniel Craig, Dame Emma Thompson, Gregor Townsend, Lydia Bright, Marcus Brigstocke, Mwaksy Mudenda, Reece James, Suzi Lee, Michelle Collins, Nina Wadia, Andy Serkis, and Lennie James.