My charities

I work closely with a number of charities...

Dawn and Joanne Speed, CEO Visyon

Visyon

Visyon is the leading charity in Cheshire dedicated to improving the health, in particular the mental health, of young people. Whether it's depression, being bullied, eating disorders, self harm or relationships, Visyon is there to help.

One of my big passions in life is support community spirit and make my home town, Congleton, a happy, healthy and prosperous place to live, work and play. Congleton is where Visyon all started and, as a patron of the charity, I have been thrilled to donate the wonderful Bearfoot Park premises on a peppercorn  rental. 

Visit their website

Teenage Parents

The Teenage Parents Project works with young parents aged from 16-25, and their children from 0-4 providing practical, emotional and mentoring support in the BS13 area raising awareness and aspirations through education. They offer everything from drop-in sessions, a centre with a warm and friendly atmosphere and, above all, sound practical guidance.

This was one of the three projects I became involved with during my session as Secret Millionaire and I was truly inspired by Deana Stone, a former teen mum. who now offers support and guidance to young parents. I was delighted that my donation of £100,000 helped the Teenage Parents project to become financially sound.

Visit their website

Dawn and Pudsey raising funds in the streets of Congleton

Children in need

Another local community initiative has been MyBeartown, a re-branding of Congleton, very much with a 'bear' theme (currently there are 65 giant painted bears around the streets of Congleton).

Continuing the theme, I have a very special affinity with Childen in Need and their bear Pudsy. Pudsy has featured in a number of Bear Mania events (see pic fundraising).

I was especially thrilled to donate £20,000 as a bid for Katie Melua to write and sing a song for me on Terry Wogan’s Radio 2 show – in the ‘Prizes Money Can’t Buy’ auction. Do listen to it.

Dawn with Lisa Manion, assistant manager at Wildgoose

Wild Goose Café

Wild Goose Café was one of the three community charities I met in my role of 'Secret Millionaire', the Channel 4 programme. As many as 52,000 people are homeless in Bristol alone and the  Café is a place where practical needs can be fulfilled; hot meals are available, assistance with finding accommodation, help applying for benefits and providing advice and support. The Wild Goose is open throughout the year, run by a small full-time staff and 140 volunteers.

I felt honoured to donate £125,000 to help the team and working with them literally changed my own life.

Dawn with Gill Robinson, founder of Animals Asia

Animals Asia

In countries across Asia, thousands of bears live a life of torture on bear farms, so that their bile can be extracted and used in traditional medicine to cure ailments ranging from headaches to haemorrhoids. Bears are confined in cages which vary from agonisingly tiny "crush" cages to slightly larger pens, all of which cause terrible physical and mental suffering.

Animals Asia is an organisation that helps stops the abominable practice of bear farming. To date, Animals Asia has rescued 265 bears in China and 30  bears in Vietnam.  The fight continues … with the invaluable help of the people of Congleton, known as Bear Town.

Visit their website

Dawn with caseworker Karen and Gill Rowlands, Director

One 25

One25 reaches out to women trapped in street sex work in the Bristol area, supporting them to break free and build new lives away from violence, poverty and addiction.

I first met the team during filming of Secret Millionaire and spent time with them in their van, which goes out 5 nights per week and provides nutritious food, hot drinks and a chance to talk and get advice in a safe space. Once a week experienced staff and volunteers go out on foot to speak individually with the women, especially the younger ones who are sometimes more reluctant to open up on the van in front of others.

I felt so helpless on a "traumatic" visit to the charity's drop-in centre, that I was compelled to donate £25,000 and have become a patron.

 Visit website

Dawn with Daffy, Bear of Hope, and Allie Pottinger who painted Daffy.

East Cheshire Hospice

East Cheshire Hospice cares for adults suffering from life-limiting illnesses from which there is no cure. We care for the whole person, aiming to meet all needs, whether they are medical, emotional or spiritual or around the challenges of daily-living.

It is very special for me as they cared for my dad, the great British inventor, xxx Gibbins. The bear Daffy, I called Bear of Hope and he has been very active raising money for cancer charities.

Why not donate something right now to East Cheshire Hospice?

Macmillan Cancer Support

No surprise that I support Macmillan. Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. They provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care. 

They've set themselves an impressive ambition. 

Their primary goal is to reach and improve the lives of everyone living with cancer.

Visit their website