We are thrilled to reveal that TV favourite and Strictly Come Dancing legend Anton Du Beke has now raised over £250,000 for The Sick Children’s Trust and our ‘Homes from Home’.
Anton reached the remarkable milestone on Thursday 5 June, when his golf fundraiser at Burhill Golf Club brought in more than £35,000. It was the latest in a dazzling mix of fundraising events, personal generosity and heartfelt dedication since becoming an ambassador for our charity in early 2023.
In just over two years, Anton has hosted sell-out golf days and glitzy afternoon tea events, drawing on his showbiz sparkle to rally support for the charity. His efforts have directly funded 6,250 nights of free ‘Home from Home’ stays, keeping families together when they need each other most.
Incredible support
In a further show of personal commitment, Anton even donated £15,000 of his own money after missing his target during a celebrity appearance on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. That act alone helped provide 375 nights of comfort for anxious parents needing to stay close to their child’s hospital bedside.
Prior to becoming an ambassador, Anton hosted The Sick Children’s Trust’s BBC Lifeline Appeal in 2022, which generated over £30,000 in public donations as we celebrated our 40th anniversary. Anton said:
“The Sick Children’s Trust is an incredible charity doing vital work to support families at the most difficult time in their lives. Having visited the ‘Homes from Home’ on numerous occasions, I’ve seen first-hand just how much it means to parents to have somewhere safe and supportive to stay when their child is in hospital. I’m honoured to play a small part in making that possible, and I’ll keep dancing, golfing and fundraising for as long as I can!”
With ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the country, we support more than 3,200 families each year with a warm, welcoming place to stay just minutes from their child’s hospital bed. It costs our charity £40 to support a family for one night, meaning Anton’s contributions have made a lasting difference to thousands of people facing the toughest of times. Chief Executive Jane Featherstone said:
“Anton’s energy, compassion and unwavering support have blown us away. From his incredible events to his personal donations, he has gone above and beyond to help keep families together during their child’s hospital treatment. The difference he has made is truly extraordinary, and we cannot thank him enough for raising crucial funds and awareness about how our ‘Homes from Home’ support families at their time of need.”
Anton Du Beke presents Jane Featherstone with a cheque for £15,000.
