Broadcast originally in August 2009

We are delighted to report that our patron, Zoë Wanamaker CBE, read the Radio 4 Appeal for us on Sunday 2nd August at 7.55am and 9.26pm, and again on Thursday 6th August at 3.27pm.  You can still listen to the appeal here on BBC’s iPlayer.

Zoë has won numerous awards for her acting career and starred in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone where she played the famous Madam Hooch.  Her most recent regular appearances are as Susan Harper in the hit BBC comedy series, “My Family”, which is incredibly popular and has now run for several years.

Zoë was also the recent subject of the BBC programme “Who Do You Think You Are”, where she traced her paternal family tree and the decision of her father, American actor Sam Wanamaker, to flee to the UK to escape the anti-communist McCarthy witch-hunts.   In the course of the making the programme, Zoë gained access to her father’s FBI file, which revealed the level of scrutiny Sam was under and the very real risk of imprisonment he faced.

Zoë  says:  “I had supported PoC for many years, but became more actively involved after I was approached by the charity to attend a Reception in St. John’s Wood in 2002 to mark their 40th anniversary.  I read some poetry written by former prisoners the charity had helped, and then subsequently was delighted to accept the invitation to become a Patron.

I have since supported fundraising appeals, attended and spoken at events and signed letters on the charity’s behalf.  I also spoke at the launch of our 500 Club in December 2004, encouraging others to subscribe to £35 per month to join the 500 Club.  This year we are aiming to recruit 100 members to the Club – so far we have reached 40 members, which is already a commitment of £20,000 annually.  More Club members are needed, so for more information go to our 500 Club page and help us change lives.”

×

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe