Ambassadors and Celebrity Supporters

“The amazing research the charity funds means a lot to me – as it would for any parent. The stories, struggles and smiles that they share are heart-warming, as well as crucially needed – so naturally I would like to support them by contributing my speaker fee to their work"

Mark Beaumont BEM boasts an impressive track record spanning over two decades. Not only has he conquered the limits of human endurance, including holding the Guinness World Record for cycling around the planet. Mark has joined forces with Action as an ambassador offering keynote and after-dinner speeches at events, donating 100% of his fee to Action.

Paddington Bear™ has been at the heart of fundraising for Action Medical Research for more than 40 years ever since his creator, Michael Bond, met the charity’s founder, Duncan Guthrie, in 1976.

Paddington Bear always likes to help wherever he can and so, after chatting over the matter with Mr Bond, he agreed to support Action as the charity’s official mascot. Paddington Bear’s friendly face has helped us attract thousands of new supporters who together have raised millions of pounds to help babies and children.

"There are so many different illnesses and conditions that can affect little ones and their families and I just think the work that Action does is fantastic."

Sally Gunnell is a sporting legend. She is the only woman to hold the World, Olympic, European, and Commonwealth Gold Medals at the same time!

Now a mother of three living in Sussex, she continues to devote her time to health, fitness and wellbeing. We are delighted that Sally has helped support Davina’s Big Sussex Bike Ride and attended our annual Champions of Cyclesport Dinner.

"With the help of all their supporters they (Action) have played a significant role in many medical breakthroughs for over 60 years. But there is still much work yet to do and their role is key.”

Fiona Bruce became a household name as one the country’s most authoritative newsreaders and presenters. Fiona supports the charity by hosting events and has lent her well-known voice to some of the charity’s promotional films.

In 2006 Fiona became a leading light in the charity’s Action Partners programme. She has worked alongside Action Medical Research on many projects since 1999 and she is a former Trustee and Appeal Patron. In 2014 she attended the 10 Downing Street Reception for Action Medical Research.

"Action is very close to my heart. Being a premature baby myself, I admire and support the good work that they do."

Parveen has been a friend and supporter of Action for many years. Not only has she attended many of our fundraising functions, she is also a proud member of the PB Lunch Club! A proud ‘incubator baby’, Parveen is a passionate cook, author and TV presenter. She currently enjoys sharing her style, culture and recipes on her Sunday morning ITV show ‘Parveen’s Indian Kitchen’.

We are delighted that Parveen has also agreed to be an ambassador for our BORN TOO SOON campaign.

"If anyone asks me if they should do a cycling challenge with Action Medical Research I have a very short answer. Get your cycling shorts on!”

Dermot Murnaghan is one of the nation’s best-known and most experienced news readers. He is currently one of Sky’s main news anchors, presenting Sky News with Dermot Murnaghan.

Before moving to Sky, he occupied the BBC Breakfast sofa for five years and also spent 11 years at ITN, where he was the presenter who broke the news to the nation about the sudden death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Aside from news, he has also presented the early evening quiz show Eggheads on BBC2.