Our celebrity team
We were the official charity of the Flora London Marathon 2009 and were delighted to have a number of celebrities helping to achieve the aim of recruiting 1,000 runners – our biggest team ever! Everyone who took part in the marathon for The Children’s Trust also helped us to celebrate our 25th anniversary.
To find out more please ring The Children’s Trust’s marathon team on 01737 365018.
Our team was…
Gino D’Acampo
Italian-born, celebrity chef Gino makes regular appearances on Ready Steady Cook and Saturday Cooks. He has written two cookery books - his second book has recently been published called Buonissimo!
Lucy Evans
Lucy started her acting career in the West End of London before moving into television. She is best known for her role as Lauren Wilson, sister of Violet Wilson in Coronation Street. She has also appeared in Holby City, and drama series Rocket Man.
Jenni Falconer
Glasgow-born National Lottery television presenter Jenni is a regular reporter on GMTV and has recently been signed up for two new television shows - Fantasy Homes By The Sea and The Property Show.
Jenni’s proudest moment was winning reality television show Only Fools on Horses in aid of Sports Relief which raised over £250,000.
Picture is copywrite of GMTV
Suzanne Dando-Reynolds
Former Olympic Gymnast and British Gymnastic Champion, Suzanne Dando, ran the Marathon for the second time in 2008 having vowed “never again” after taking part in 1982. Together with her husband, Adam Reynolds, she ran with 18-year-old Alfie, who spent 10 months at the Trust in 1999, on a rehabilitation programme, following an horrific road traffic accident which left him severe head injuries.
She said: “I was inspired by a very moving speech made by Alfie and, when I heard his amazing story of recovery and that he intended to take part in the marathon, I felt that this was an opportunity for us to show our support. My husband and I want to help raise awareness of The Children’s Trust’s rehabilitation centre for children with acquired brain injuries. Running in the marathon is a massive challenge, but it is nothing compared to the challenges that children, like Alfie, face on their road to recovery, so we hope we can really help to make a difference and raise lots of money.”
Mark Griffin
Known to many as Trojan from the popular television series of Gladiators, Mark has recently been filming for a new series Gladiator: The Legends Return. After being chosen to play Action Man in a US television series, he now co-writes and stars in theatre productions.
Priya Kaur-Jones
Is GMTV’s Newshour newsreader and can currently be seen presenting the 6am and 6.30am bulletins. A lover of travel, Priya has undertaken various treks including the Himalayas and the base camp of Everest.
Priya is a fan of most sports and is a keen fitness fanatic. She recently signed up as the 4th Beatle, accompanying Lloyd Scott in the Yellow Submarine in support of The Children’s Trust.
Sally Kettle
Sally is the first woman to have rowed across the Atlantic (East-West) – twice – with no previous rowing experience! It takes courage and determination to face 40ft waves, gale force winds and shark attacks, but Sally has plenty of that. She has written a book called Sally’s Odd at Sea and is an inspirational and motivational speaker.
Louis Mariette
Famous celebrity milliner, Malawi-born Louis is known for his stunning creations of headwear – having made the most expensive hat ever – a £1.5 million diamond and platinum creation. His bespoke creations have been worn by celebrities including Jerry Hall, Jodie Kidd, Lisa Butcher, Sophie Dahl and Isabell Kristensen. Louis has supported The Children’s Trust for several years.
Nat Roni
Nat presents BBC’s children’s programme Cbeebie’s Boogie Beebies. Also an actress and singer, she has performed in productions on the West End Stage including The Lion King and Ain’t Misbehavin. Nat is currently writing a children’s book.
Lloyd Scott
Best known as being one of the Flora London Marathon’s most memorable and remarkable participants, Lloyd has previously completed the event in a deep-sea diving suit. In 2009’s event he will be taking part in a specially constructed Yellow Submarine and will be joined by three like-minded runners to form the Beatles!
Lucy Speed
Lucy began her acting career at an early age and is possibly best known for her role as Natalie Evans in BBC’s EastEnders. Since then, Lucy has appeared in the BBC drama Dangerfield, Casualty, The New Adventures of Robin Hood, Holby City and is most recently starring in The Bill.
Giles Vickers-Jones
Giles currently hosts ITV At The Movies and presents for a variety of channels including E! Entertainment covering movie premieres in the UK. He has written three books: The Best Day of My Life, 7 Worst Men in London and How to be a Model, which will be published in 2009. Giles also writes a weekly movie column for Love It magazine.
James Crossley
Champion UK bodybuilder and best known for his participation in Gladiators as Hunter, James is now a personal trainer to the stars and an actor and presenter in his own right. He is also the trainer for the Fulham Adventure Boot Camp.
Unfortunately due to injury James was not able to take part in the marathon.
For media enquiries regarding The Children’s Trust’s celebrity team please contact the Ruth Allsopp on 01737 814159. Email: rallsopp@thechildrenstrust.org.uk