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  1. Home
  2. Patrons and Ambassadors

Patrons and Ambassadors

Royal Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales

Royal Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales

HRH The Prince of Wales has been Royal Patron of Child Bereavement UK since 2009. Read more

Published: 1st October, 2016

Updated: 6th February, 2025

Author:

Founder Patron: Julia Samuel MBE

Founder Patron: Julia Samuel MBE

Julia Samuel helped launch and establish the charity, and continues her role as Founder Patron. Read more

Published: 1st September, 2016

Updated: 7th August, 2023

Author: Jenny Angliss

Founder Patron: Julie Stokes OBE

Founder Patron: Julie Stokes OBE

Julie Stokes is founder of Winston’s Wish (now part of Child Bereavement UK). Read more

Published: 1st August, 2016

Updated: 19th May, 2026

Author: Kerry Waite

Vice Patron: Barbara Want

Vice Patron: Barbara Want

Winston’s Wish (now part of Child Bereavement UK) supported Barbara and her twin sons when her husband died in 2006. Read more

Published: 29th July, 2016

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Kerry Waite

Ambassador: Duchess of Richmond and Gordon

Ambassador: Duchess of Richmond and Gordon

The Duchess of Richmond and Gordon is the former President of Winston's Wish (now part of Child Bereavement UK). Her father died when she was 4 years old. Read more

Published: 12th July, 2016

Updated: 20th May, 2026

Author: Kerry Waite

Ambassador: Gary Andrews

Ambassador: Gary Andrews

Gary's wife died unexpectedly in 2017, leaving him sole parent to their children Lily and Ben. Following Joy's death, he documented everyday life with a Doodle Diary. He used Doddles to explore the family's grief and process their feelings. His doodles have since gained a huge online following. Read more

Published: 1st July, 2016

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Kerry Waite

Gary Barlow OBE

Gary Barlow OBE

Gary and his wife Dawn’s baby daughter, Poppy, was stillborn in 2012. Read more

Published: 1st June, 2016

Updated: 12th May, 2023

Author: Jenny Angliss

Mary Berry DBE

Mary Berry DBE

Mary has supported many Child Bereavement UK for many years. Mary has a personal affinity with the charity as her son William died in 1989, aged 19. Read more

Published: 1st May, 2016

Updated: 14th November, 2024

Author: Jenny Angliss

Will and Mel Campion

Will and Mel Campion

Will and Mel have supported the charity over many years including Will previously serving on our Board of Trustees. Read more

Published: 12th April, 2016

Updated: 12th May, 2023

Author: Kirsty Wood

Daniel Casey

Daniel Casey

Daniel became a Patron after seeing the support his friends and their son received following the death of their daughter in 2008. Read more

Published: 1st April, 2016

Updated: 14th February, 2022

Author: Jenny Angliss

Randolph Churchill

Randolph Churchill

Great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, Randolph has been a Patron of Winston's Wish (now part of Child Bereavement UK) for many years. Read more

Published: 29th March, 2016

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Kerry Waite

Lady Lucinda Dashwood

Lady Lucinda Dashwood

Lady Dashwood hosts Child Bereavement UK's annual Snowdrop Walk at West Wycombe Park. Read more

Published: 1st March, 2016

Updated: 8th July, 2024

Author: Jenny Angliss

Alexander Dickinson

Alexander Dickinson

Alexander has been a supporter of Child Bereavement UK since the death of his elder son, George, in 2000. Read more

Published: 1st February, 2016

Updated: 13th August, 2024

Author: Jenny Angliss

Emily Eavis and Nick Dewey

Emily Eavis and Nick Dewey

Glastonbury Festival organisers, Emily Eavis and her husband, Nick Dewey, became patrons of Winston’s Wish (now part of Child Bereavement UK) in March 2019. Read more

Published: 29th January, 2016

Author: Kerry Waite

Jon and Simon Dyer

Jon and Simon Dyer

Jon and Simon Dyer are joint Managing Directors of F.A. Albin & Sons Family Funeral Directors. Read more

Published: 1st January, 2016

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Joey Essex

Joey Essex

Joey Essex starred in TOWIE and has appeared on I'm A Celebrity. His mum died when he was 10 years old. Read more

Published: 1st December, 2015

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Sarah Farquhar

Sarah Farquhar

Sarah Farquhar became involved with Child Bereavement UK after her friend's son was seriously injured in a boating accident, in which his father and sister were killed. Read more

Published: 1st November, 2015

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Rio and Kate Ferdinand

Rio and Kate Ferdinand

Kate and Rio Ferdinand became Patrons of Child Bereavement UK in 2020. Read more

Published: 5th October, 2015

Updated: 10th December, 2025

Author: Jenny Angliss

Ben and Marina Fogle

Ben and Marina Fogle

After their son Willem was stillborn in 2014, Marina and Ben have talked openly about loss, grief and how to talk to a young family about bereavement. Read more

Published: 1st October, 2015

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Camilla Geffen

Camilla Geffen

Camilla has been a supporter of Child Bereavement UK for many years, passionately believing in the accessibility of high-quality support and training. Read more

Published: 1st September, 2015

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Will Greenwood MBE

Will Greenwood MBE

Former Rugby Union player Will Greenwood became a Patron of Child Bereavement UK following the death of his son Freddie. Read more

Published: 1st August, 2015

Updated: 21st January, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Katherine Handy-Woods

Katherine Handy-Woods

Katherine found Child Bereavement UK when looking for advice on how support her two young children after their father died by suicide. Read more

Published: 14th June, 2015

Updated: 4th August, 2025

Author: Jenny Angliss

Sahar Hashemi OBE

Sahar Hashemi OBE

Sahar Hashemi started her career as a solicitor and went on to build Coffee Republic, the coffee bar chain, and later Skinny Candy, the guilt-free confectionery brand. Read more

Published: 1st June, 2015

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Patricia Hodge OBE

Patricia Hodge OBE

Patricia first became involved with Child Bereavement UK when her children were very young. Her commitment was underlined by the early death of one of her son’s school friends. Read more

Published: 1st May, 2015

Updated: 15th May, 2023

Author: Jenny Angliss

Liz and Richard Houghton

Liz and Richard Houghton

Liz and Richard received support from Child Bereavement UK after the loss of their eldest son, Will, in 2016, aged 20 and have been active supporters ever since. Read more

Published: 30th April, 2015

Updated: 30th January, 2024

Author: Kirsty Wood

Ambassador: Kate Jones

Ambassador: Kate Jones

Kate is a secondary teacher and best-selling author. Having received support first hand, Kate is keen to share the work of the charity to support children and teachers in schools in her ambassador role. Read more

Published: 29th April, 2015

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Kerry Waite

Nick Knowles

Nick Knowles

DIY SOS frontman Nick has hosted BBC1 prime time Saturday night quiz shows Break the Safe, Secret Fortune, and Who Dares Wins. Read more

Published: 15th April, 2015

Updated: 23rd September, 2024

Author: Rakhee Sharma

Lang Lang

Lang Lang

A globally celebrated piano virtuoso, Lang Lang has sold millions of albums around the world, topping classical charts and achieving simultaneous mainstream success. Read more

Published: 31st March, 2015

Updated: 15th January, 2026

Author: Rakhee Sharma

Penny Lang and Debbie Isaac

Penny Lang and Debbie Isaac

Penny and Debbie have supported the charity for many years after being introduced to the charity by a friend who was bereaved of his daughter. Read more

Published: 29th March, 2015

Updated: 15th May, 2023

Author: Kirsty Wood

Ambassador: Mark Lemon

Ambassador: Mark Lemon

Mark's father was murdered when he was just 12 years old. As an award-wining children's author, publisher and podcaster, Mark is using his success to help bereaved children cope with their grief and loss. Read more

Published: 8th February, 2015

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Kerry Waite

Gina Levett

Gina Levett

Gina Levett lost her 10-year-old sister, Dee Dee, when she was aged 11. She was deeply affected by her death and feels an overwhelming desire to help Child Bereavement UK. Read more

Published: 1st February, 2015

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Natasha Marsh

Natasha Marsh

Classical recording artist and performer Natasha Marsh has performed at the charity's Christmas Carol Concerts at Holy Trinity Brompton as well as local events. Read more

Published: 1st January, 2015

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Mark Seldon

Mark Seldon

Mark been involved with the charity since its beginning in 1994, initially in a purely professional capacity, then, in 2002, joining the Board as a Trustee for 12 years. Read more

Published: 14th September, 2014

Updated: 27th June, 2025

Author: Jenny Angliss

Matt and Emma Smith

Matt and Emma Smith

Matt and Emma Smith were supported following the death of their 9½ week old daughter, Nyah, and subsequent miscarriage of their second daughter, Skye. Read more

Published: 1st September, 2014

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Sylvia Tidy-Harris

Sylvia Tidy-Harris

Sylvia witnessed first-hand the devastating effect the sudden loss of her 39-year-old brother Nick had on her and his family. Read more

Published: 1st August, 2014

Updated: 19th June, 2024

Author: Jenny Angliss

Alan Titchmarsh MBE

Alan Titchmarsh MBE

Alan Titchmarsh, has supported Child Bereavement UK in a variety of ways over several years and formally announced his Patronage of the charity in 2011. Read more

Published: 1st July, 2014

Updated: 13th May, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Carolyn and Paul Turner

Carolyn and Paul Turner

Carolyn and Paul were supported by Child Bereavement UK following the death of their 21-month-old daughter Jessica in 2008. Read more

Published: 1st June, 2014

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Jason Watkins and Clara Francis

Jason Watkins and Clara Francis

In 2011, Jason and Clara’s two-and-a half-year-old daughter Maude died of sepsis. Read more

Published: 1st May, 2014

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Claudia Winkleman MBE

Claudia Winkleman MBE

Claudia Winkleman is a well-known broadcaster who has supported Child Bereavement UK at a number of fundraising events and represented the charity at the BGC Charity day. Read more

Published: 15th April, 2014

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Ray Winters

Ray Winters

Chief Executive of Mitsubishi UFJ Trust International, Ray Winters became a Patron in 2009. He and his young family received support from the charity following the sudden death of his wife Tina in 2006. Read more

Published: 1st April, 2014

Updated: 14th February, 2022

Author: Jenny Angliss

Louise and Paul Woodbridge

Louise and Paul Woodbridge

Louise and Paul became involved with Child Bereavement UK following the death of their beloved two-year-old twins Betsy and William in 2004. Read more

Published: 1st March, 2014

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Antony Worrall Thompson

Antony Worrall Thompson

Antony Worrall Thompson has supported Child Bereavement UK at a number of fundraising events. Read more

Published: 1st January, 2014

Updated: 29th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

Back to top

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  • Download our PSHE lessons on loss and bereavement

    Download our free PSHE lessons and resources for schools on loss and bereavement for Key Stages 1-4. These have been developed by teachers and bereavement support workers.

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  • Supporting bereaved children and young people

    Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they can show it in different ways. Find out how you can help them and more about child grieving.

  • Children's understanding of death at different ages

    Guidance on children's understanding of death at different ages and stages of development.

  • Explaining to a child that someone has died

    Guidance on explaining to a child that someone has died.

  • Explaining death and dying to children

    Explaining death and dying to children

    Guidance for teachers and parents on talking to children about death and dying,

  • Grieving for a child

    No parent expects to face the death of their child. See our resource for support and guidance on grieving for a child.

  • When a grandparent dies

    When a grandparent dies

    The death of a grandparent is often a child or young person’s first encounter with the death of someone important. Parents have a great deal to manage when their own parent or carer dies.

  • Child Bereavement UK training

    Child Bereavement UK designs and delivers training for professionals in health and social care, education, the emergency services and the voluntary and corporate sectors, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.

  • Contact us

    Contact us

    Contact details for our Helpline, departments and services.

  • Adults bereaved as children

    Adults bereaved as children

    How being bereaved as a child can affect your life as an adult and where you can find support.

  • When your baby dies

    When your baby dies

    When a baby lives only a short time or dies before birth due to miscarriage, SUDIC, stillbirth or a painful decision to end the pregnancy, people may assume that the loss is not important. This is simply not the case.

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Books and resources

Books and resources

A list of books and resources relating to grief and bereavement and what may help. Read more

Published: 21st October, 2021

Updated: 19th May, 2026

Author: Harriet Hieatt-Smith

Others' stories

Others' stories

Find out more about the experiences of bereaved families we have supported and professionals we have supported and trained. Read more

Published: 30th November, 2021

Updated: 7th April, 2025

Author: Emma Van Allan

Understanding grief

Understanding grief

Most people who are bereaved experience grief, which involves feeling lots of different emotions in response to the death of the person. Read more

Published: 7th April, 2025

Author: Kirsty Wood

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