Jeremy Irons
Actor
“There is a ‘truth’ in giving, a truth about humanity, a truth which reveals itself through a simple act of goodwill. The truth is that we have the potential and the power to do so much good in a time of great need to make a tangible difference. As a patron of The Hope Foundation I am asking you to experience a truth and the joy of giving. Our deeds can shape the world around us. Incredibly, each of us can make a difference to all of us for the betterment of mankind. It us up to me, it is up to you, it is up to us. Thank you.”
Christopher Biggins
Actor and TV Presenter
“HOPE allows us to be aware of the deprivation that street-connected children endure in Kolkata, India, and allows us to do something about it. That is why I am thrilled to be an Ambassador of such a worthy charity. We can have the creature comforts at home, but let’s not forget the children who desperately need our help.”
Shelley King
Actress
Shelley was born in Kolkata and has visited HOPE projects in the city to see first-hand how important the charity’s work there is.
Shelley said: “I feel privileged to be an ambassador for the children of Kolkata. I will do everything I can to make people aware of the work of The Hope Foundation and the urgent need for donations.”
Andrea Catherwood
Award winning broadcaster and presenter
We are delighted that Andrea not only lends her name to the charity but also takes a “hands on” role, assisting us with our media work and campaigns, and sponsoring two children in Kolkata. Andrea has also visited Kolkata to see HOPE’s work first hand and made a BBC Radio 4 documentary about HOPE’s role in the Street Children Cricket World Cup in 2019.
Reza Beyad
Multi-lingual entrepreneur, philanthropist, and fund-raiser
Reza is deeply committed to public service and the voluntary sector. He sits on the Board of several charities including the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital Development Board.
Reza has maintained an unwavering commitment to supporting the most vulnerable through his charity programmes. He works for mainly children’s charities and has a passionate belief in the “healing powers of robust compassion”.
A practicing Muslim, Reza went to a well-known Jesuit School in Kolkata; and one of his main interests is to engage in constructive inter-faith dialogues and help build bridges between different faiths and communities. His own faith underpins his efforts to create a more caring, just, and inclusive society.
In 2014, he was given the “Freedom of the City of London”.
Reza has been married for 40 years and has three grown up children; all very successful in their respective fields.
Alison Oliver
Actress
"Having the chance to visit HOPE’s projects and connect with the children and communities they support was truly eye-opening. It’s an honour to witness the incredible work HOPE are doing in Kolkata and remarkable to see how far the donations stretch and what HOPE has been able to create with that support."
Sue Perkins
Accomplished presenter, writer, actor, director, and comedian.
Among her many accomplishments, Sue has several successful BBC travelogues under her belt including Japan With Sue Perkins (2019), The Ganges with Sue Perkins (2017), The Mekong River with Sue Perkins (2014) and Kolkata with Sue Perkins (2015). In the programmes The Ganges and Kolkata with Sue Perkins she visited HOPE’s projects, and also featured HOPE’s work in her book East of Croydon. In 2022, Sue generously dedicated her winnings from Celebrity Catchphrase to HOPE.
Watch a video of Sue visiting Kolkata.
Dame Judi Dench
World-renowned and highly revered English film, stage and television actress
“I am aware that the plight of the street-connected children in Kolkata needs our immediate attention and I had no hesitation in becoming a patron of The Hope Foundation, in the hope that I might be able to help in some way.”
Alistair Morrison
Celebrated portrait photographer
“I have had the excellent fortune to be involved, through my photography, with a number of charitable ventures over the years, and am extremely proud to have been asked to be a patron for HOPE. It remains our collective responsibility and obligation to make the world’s children our priority and to find our own individual ways to contribute to their safe future. We have a duty to create as safe an environment as possible for our children, a notion that is supported wholly by The Hope Foundation”.
Simon Low
Principal of The Yoga Academy
“I believe that Yoga is India’s greatest gift to the world. Yoga Academy teachers, trainees and I are coming together to give something back. We are raising awareness and funds for The Hope Foundation’s work for India’s street-connected children through donation yoga days and classes, fundraising events and sponsorships.”
Julian Shah
Consultant Urologist, University College London Hospitals, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
“I am absolutely delighted to be a patron of such a worthwhile charity.”