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PRINTLionel Blair Celebrates 60 Years in Showbiz With a Charity Luncheon
Immediate Release: 1 June 2009
Stars of the stage and screen came together yesterday (Sunday 31 May) to celebrate Lionel Blair’s 60th year in Showbiz with a star-studded charity luncheon at theDorchester Hotel.
Stars of the stage and screen came together yesterday (Sunday 31 May) to celebrate Lionel Blair’s 60th year in Showbiz with a star-studded charity luncheon at theDorchester Hotel.
Vicki Michelle, Les Dennis, Rolf Harris, Burt Kwouk, June Whitfield and Su Pollard are just some of a number of celebrities who attended the luncheon to pay tribute to Lionel’s sixty-year career.
One of the actor-come-dancer’s first public performances was alongside his sister Joyce, singing and tap-dancing in London Underground Station shelters during World War Two; since then he has appeared on Name that Tune and Give Us a Clue and is a regular guest judge on Strictly Come Dancing.
Profits from the luncheon will go to grant-giving charity Elizabeth Finn Care, for whom Lionel Blair is a celebrity ambassador. Since Elizabeth Finn Care’s inception in 1897, the charity has given approximately £130,000,000 (in real terms) to people from over 120 different professions, who are experiencing financial hardship.
Rob Tolan, spokesman for Elizabeth Finn Care said: “We are tremendously grateful to Lionel Blair for raising awareness of Elizabeth Finn Care’s work in these difficult economic times. Now, more than ever, we appreciate the support he gives us.”
To see photos from the event, please visit Lionel Blair's Anniversary Lunch.
To see photos from the event, please visit Lionel Blair's Anniversary Lunch.
ENDS
For information, photographs and interviews, please contact:
Rob Tolan, Policy and Press Officer. Telephone: 020 7396 6733 or Mobile: 07853 221 767. rob.tolan@elizabethfinn.org.uk. 1 Derry Street, London W8 5HY
Notes to Editors:
- Elizabeth Finn Care is a charity that supports people struggling to cope with sudden or unexpected changes in their circumstances.
- Elizabeth Finn Care provides one-off and ongoing financial help, tailored to individual circumstances, as well as emotional support through our experienced caseworkers and national volunteer network.
- People who seek help from Elizabeth Finn Care are coping with unexpected changes in their life and the resulting financial hardship, typically due to ill health, disability or marital breakdown.
- Since mid 2008, we are increasingly helping people who are struggling financially after redundancy.
- 75% of people who seek help from Elizabeth Finn Care have some level of mental health problems.
- Since Elizabeth Finn Care was founded, we have given £130,000,000 to those in need.