SEND TO A FRIEND
PRINTIs anybody there?
Immediate Release: 2 April 2009
AS SHE PREPARES FOR THE RELEASE OF HER BRAND NEW FILM STARRING MICHAEL CAINE, SYLVIA SYMS EXPOSES THE ISOLATION OF MILLIONS OF BRITS LIVING IN POVERTY
AS SHE PREPARES FOR THE RELEASE OF HER BRAND NEW FILM STARRING MICHAEL CAINE, SYLVIA SYMS EXPOSES THE ISOLATION OF MILLIONS OF BRITS LIVING IN POVERTY
2009 has been a lean year so far for most of us. If you haven’t felt the pinch, you’re more than likely in fear of feeling it and are no doubt shopping more smartly, being far more careful about your savings and putting in extra effort at work to impress the boss. But what would happen if you did lose your job? Do you know how long your money would last before you faced severe financial difficulty? Would you be embarrassed to ask for help and do you even know where to look for it? Could you ever see yourself living in poverty?
For a huge 13 millions Brits, living in poverty is a reality. That means that one in five of us may be missing meals, unable to afford to heat our homes or living in unsuitable accommodation. Many have been in full time employment and have been made redundant or had to give up work due to personal illness or a family member becoming sick. A large proportion of people living in poverty are older, so may no longer be able to work to lift themselves out of financial difficulty. To highlight this huge and growing problem, actress Sylvia Syms is calling on the public to devote just a few hours of their time to help raise awareness of this issue and collect vital funds to support Elizabeth Finn Care, a grant-giving charity that supports people who were once self-sufficient, but who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in need of help.
Sylvia will also be speaking about her new film – ‘Is Anybody There’ – in which she stars alongside Michael Caine, Set in 1980s seaside England, the film tells the story of ten-year-old Edward (Bill Milner) whose parents have turned their house into a retirement home. The boy lives a lonely existence until he meets the latest arrival at the home, retired magician Clarence (Michael Caine), and the two discover the magic of living life to its fullest. Sylvia is also starring in a new ITV1 Drama, Collision, and later this year will appear in an episode of Miss Marple – Blue Murder.
As a major star of stage and screen with credits including ‘The Queen’, ‘The Tamarind Seed’, ‘Absolute Beginners’ and a recurring role in Eastenders, Sylvia Syms OBE is a true member of the British acting aristocracy. In recent years, she has also branched out into Producing and Directing. As a supporter of Elizabeth Finn Care, she is encouraging ordinary people to help others who have been overcome by circumstances, and are now facing a life of financial hardship. Making a difference is easy – all you have to do is pop the kettle on, invite a few friends round and hold a ‘Big Tea Cosy’ party to raise vital funds to relieve the poverty in our midst and the isolation it brings.