Huge congratulations to our wonderful Patron, Joanna Lumley OBE, who has been made a Dame in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. “Joanna’s work with often little known charities is exceptional” says our Founder Patricia Parker OBE. “If anyone deserves to be honoured it is dear Joanna. I hope she will not mind my saying that it is not just her name which she gives to Kids for Kids, but she is enormously generous to us too, and I know we are one of many charities she supports. Joanna is loved across the country and rightly so. This honour is long overdue and there could not be a more deserving, unassuming, lovely person to become a Dame.”
Joanna Lumley has been honoured for services “to drama, entertainment and charity” and we cannot thank her enough for everything she has done to support Kids for Kids over the years.
During lockdown recently, Joanna led our ‘Draw a Goat for Darfur’ children’s competition with her beautiful ‘Dandy’ Goat to help us entertain children here, but it is her indefatigable support for children in Darfur that is so inspirational. She often hosts our magical Candlelit Christmas Concert in London and her Readings – all chosen by her – hold us spellbound. Patricia says “Dame Joanna deserves this accolade just for all the support she gives Kids for Kids – add all the other, often obscure, causes she supports, and you will see why we are so very proud of our wonderful Patron”.
Joanna Lumley said her damehood was “extraordinary” and “completely unexpected”.
She initially thought the formal letter was bad news, but “burst into tears” when she realised it was offering her an honour. “It was an extraordinary shock,” she told BBC News. “I put my head in my hands and sobbed like a baby.
“Then I thought, how has this happened? Is it a mistake? I truly was completely thrown by it, and thrilled to bits, and so touched.”
We are delighted for Joanna and would like to wish her all the best for a very happy 2022.
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