Celebrity ambassadors

Anna Maxwell Martin

Anna is an award-winning actress, known for her performances in TV, film, and theatre. She's also a passionate advocate for children and young people, and often campaigns for their futures.

In 2025, Anna championed our work to tackle child poverty by signing our open letter and raising awareness on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme.

As part of our 2025 Christmas appeal, Anna joined our festive Santaland film and helped to promote the campaign on ITV’s Lorraine.

Angela Rippon CBE

Angela is a renowned Broadcaster, journalist, and TV presenter and has been an ambassador since 1989.

Over the years, Angela has supported Action for Children in numerous ways, from hosting events, visiting our services, donating auction prizes, and shining a light on our campaigns in the media.

Most recently, Angela was the host of our prestigious Starry Night Gala.

Anthea Turner

Anthea is a television presenter and author who has been a long‑standing supporter of Action for Children.

Over the years, she has given her time to host numerous events. Anthea has also fundraised for us and continues to support our work in a variety of ways.

She is a committed supporter of our annual Secret Santa campaign and has championed many of our corporate partnerships to help raise awareness and funds to support vulnerable children and families across the UK.

Dermot Murnaghan

Dermot is a News Broadcaster and presenter, and currently anchors SKY News.

Dermot has been an ambassador since 2002, and regularly hosts events, awards ceremonies, and has campaigned to raise awareness of our services and appeals.

Emily Maitlis

Emily is a journalist, documentary filmmaker, radio presenter, podcast host, and ex-BBC Newsnight anchor.

Since becoming an ambassador in 2010, She's hosted numerous events, visited services, and regularly participates in interviews to raise awareness.

Fatima Whitbread MBE

Fatima is a former Olympian and javelin world record holder who spent the first few years of her life in children’s care homes.

She's became an official ambassador in 2023 for her dedication to fundraising, visiting services, and advocating our work in the media.

Read her blog on growing up in care.

Jenny Agutter OBE

Jenny is an award-winning actor and has been an ambassador since 2008.

Over the years she's offered immeasurable support - from hosting events, taking part in almost every Boycott Your Bed event, and championing our campaigns across national media.

Jessica Hynes

Jessica is an award‑winning actor, writer, and director, and has been an Action for Children ambassador since 2009.

She supports our work by hosting events and spreading awareness through national media.

Over the years, Jessica has raised awareness and funds by taking part in a number of challenges including abseiling, skydiving, and sleeping out at our Boycott Your Bed events.

Jimmy Akingbola

Jimmy is a British actor best known for The Tower and Bel‑Air. He hosts ITV’s Sorry I Didn’t Know and co‑founded TriForce Productions to support diverse talent.

Jimmy released the deeply personal documentary Handle With Care, which explores his experience of growing up in the care system.

He became a Celebrity Ambassador in 2025 and has supported the i-Appeal, John Lewis Partnership Gazette and our Foster Care campaign.

Larry Lamb

Larry is an actor and radio presenter and has been an ambassador since 2017.

He has been a hugely active supporter, from appearing on TV shows to discuss various campaigns and appeals to supporting corporate pitches.

Examples of Larry's support include Secret Santa campaigns, participating in Boycott Your Bed, visiting services, and taking part in national interviews.

Most recently, Larry Lamb has voiced our Secret Santa TV ad.

Mary Nightingale

Mary is a TV news journalist, broadcaster, and presenter who has anchored ITN’s Evening News since 2001.

As a passionate ambassador for Action for Children since 2002, she's supported our work by hosting events and awards ceremonies, as well as generously donating auction prizes to help drive our fundraising efforts.

Michael Buerk

Michael is a veteran broadcaster, journalist, and TV presenter, and has been an ambassador since 2008.

Michael supported the charity by winning Celebrity Mastermind and donating the proceeds to Action for Children, as well as hosting events and awards, supporting corporate partnerships, and attending Parliamentary receptions.

Ronnie Archer-Morgan

Ronnie is an antiques expert and Antiques Roadshow presenter.

Between 1950 and 1955, he was cared for by Action for Children, formerly known as the National Children’s Home.

Ronnie has tirelessly supported Action for Children by visiting our services, hosting events, and championing our work in numerous radio, press, and broadcast interviews.

Watch Ronnie talk about his experience growing up in care.

Sharon Horgan

Sharon is an actor, writer, director, and producer who has been a committed supporter of our work for many years.

She regularly lends her voice to our national campaigns and plays an active role in annual events such as Secret Santa and Boycott Your Bed.

Sharon has also shown her support during challenging times, including backing our Coronavirus crisis appeal in 2020.

Sian Lloyd

Sian is a TV weather presenter and has supported us since the early ‘90s.

Over the years, Sian has done so much to support our work including visiting many services, participating in our campaigns, and attending various events.

She appeared on Celebrity Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and generously donated the money raised from her appearance on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here to Action for Children.