Stars honoured at NSPCC Hall of Fame Ceremony

Theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber, TV presenter Fiona Bruce, Wales rugby captain Ryan Jones and TV stars Graham Cole, Beth Cordingly and Vicky Alcock were inducted into the NSPCC's Hall of Fame on Wednesday 10 June 2009.

The celebrities were recognised for their contribution towards ending child cruelty in a ceremony at the House of Commons. Michael Gove MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families was on hand to present the awards to the celebrities.

The Hall of Fame inductees and MPs were able to swap recipe tips with chef Antonio Carluccio and business tips with Tim Campbell, winner of 'The Apprentice', and were entertained by Hear Me Now, contestants on the BBC's 'Last Choir Standing'.

NSPCC director of communications John Grounds said: "The celebrities inducted into the Hall of Fame have shown huge enthusiasm and commitment to the NSPCC's aim of ending child cruelty. They have fundraised, fronted campaigns and spoken passionately about the work of the charity, encouraging others to act now to end child abuse.

"The ceremony is an opportunity for us to give them a special thank you and let them know how much we appreciate their support and dedication."

As members of the Hall of Fame, the celebrities receive a solid sterling silver award that has a unique NSPCC hallmark, a charity first. The award has been produced exclusively for the charity by Hall of Fame sponsor, the Sheffield Assay Office. 

The first Hall of Fame ceremony took place in 2004. Previous recipients include Dame Judi Dench, Tracey Emin, Nicholas Hoult and Alan Shearer.

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Celebrity Quotes:

Fiona Bruce
"How we treat our children is a reflection of the kind of society we are. If we cannot love them, speak up for and protect them, what kind of people are we? The work of the NSPCC and ChildLine is desperately important and I do little compared to what needs to be done. But I'm very honoured to be included in the Hall of Fame."

Ryan Jones
"I'm honoured and delighted to be in the Hall of Fame 2009.  I take my role as children's champion for the Welsh Rugby Union very seriously and am proud to be associated with the work of the NSPCC.

I have supported the NSPCC for over three years and it is incredibly rewarding to know that my support has played a part in ending cruelty to children. The NSPCC plays a vital role in changing attitudes and behaviours as well as delivering services for the benefit of children and young people across the UK and I hope that my involvement will encourage others to help in the fight to protect our children."

Graham Cole
"I am truly honoured to receive this Hall of Fame award. I have worked with ChildLine for over twenty years. I would like to dedicate this award to all those councillors and volunteers who make this award possible and to all those children who reach for the phone and call us. My heart is full, just to know in some small way I was there for them."

Beth Cordingly
"I was very moved to be asked to attend the Hall of Fame Awards. Being involved with the NSPCC is very important to me. Of all the work I do in television, theatre, radio and writing - being involved with the Charity is something of which I am perhaps most proud. I feel privileged to be able to promote and support them in any small way I can. Whether speaking on their behalf and helping to fundraise, learning more about the counselling services or running the marathon for them wearing their t-shirt - means a lot to me. Sadly protecting children is an ongoing battle but I cannot think of a more necessary fight."

Vicky Alcock
''I am so honoured. The work the NSPCC does is amazing and I am extremely pleased that I can help. I will never stop supporting this charity. And I hope that one day we will put a stop to cruelty to children.''

Andrew Lloyd Webber
"I was very pleased to be able to help the NSPCC's fundraising with a preview of The Sound of Music at the London Palladium in 2006. I am honoured that the NSPCC has invited me to join the Hall of Fame this year and delighted to support a charity that does so much to give children the future they deserve."

Notes to Editor

Media Contact
For more information and images from the event, please contact the NSPCC's Press Office on 020 7825 2514

About the NSPCC
The NSPCC is the UK's leading children charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. Its vision is of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. The NSPCC runs 180 projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people. The NSPCC helps over 10,000 children and their families every year.

About the Sheffield Assay Office
The Sheffield Assay Office, founded in 1773, independently tests and hallmarks gold, silver and platinum to guarantee standards of purity. It is one of the most successful of the UK's four Assay Offices. All precious metals sold in the UK have to be hallmarked by law and the Sheffield Assay Office has created and registered a unique hallmark on behalf of the NSPCC, a charity first.