Musical star Anna-Jane Casey (AJ) joins actors Daniel Radcliffe, Sally Lindsay, and skating stars Jayne Torvill and Robin Cousins as an Ambassador for Demelza
Anna-Jane Casey (AJ), actor and musical theatre star, who is currently starring as Sybil in the West End version of 1970s comedy classic Fawlty Towers, has been announced as a Celebrity Ambassador for Demelza.
Demelza provides outstanding clinical care and emotional support to children with serious or life-limiting conditions, and their families, in South East London, Kent and East Sussex.
A keen runner, AJ was approached by Robin Cousins, Olympic Figure Skating Gold Medallist and good friend, to run the London Marathon back in 2021 in aid of Demelza, a charity he has supported passionately for over 14 years.
AJ said:
I first met Robin when he came to the press night of ‘Mack and Mabel’ at Chichester Festival Theatre back in 2015 and we’ve said hello at various theatrical events over the years. When he asked if I would run the marathon in 2021 as a representative for Demelza, obviously I said yes”.
Robin said:
“AJ is a force of nature always willing to jump in and I don’t think NO is in her vocabulary. When I asked her if she would run the marathon for Demelza, she didn’t hesitate, and the connection was cemented”.
Since then, AJ has supported the charity by reading at Demelza’s annual celebration of Christmas at the iconic Canterbury Cathedral – the Archbishop of Canterbury is a Vice President of Demelza – attending a parliamentary reception at the House of Commons and an open day at the hospice in Sittingbourne.
It was at that very open day that AJ and Robin hatched a plan to produce a musical extravaganza in Ramsgate in aid of Demelza. Robin and AJ, who has starred in Cats, West Side Story, Chicago and Cabaret, called in favours from their talented friends and put together “Love is in the Air”, featuring show-stopping performances from Olivier award-winner and former Eastender, Jenna Russell, West End stars Amy Lennox (Cabaret, Opening Night), Shannon Taiwo (The Lion King), Christina Bianco and Kim Ismay.
That evening, on the stage of the Granville Theatre, Robin invited AJ to become a Celebrity Ambassador for Demelza and she was delighted to accept.
AJ said:
“I was stunned when Robin asked me to join him as an Ambassador for Demelza and didn’t hesitate in saying yes! It is such a fantastic charity and I’m honoured to be a part of Team Demelza!”
Hayley Richardson, Demelza’s Deputy Chief Executive, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome AJ on board as a Celebrity Ambassador. She has been a huge support to us over the last four years, raising awareness of what we do as well as funds and we cannot wait to work with her in the future.”
The “Love is in the Air” event where Demelza officially welcomed AJ as an ambassador raised over £5,000 which is only the beginning of the incredible support AJ promises to bring to Demelza in the coming years.
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About Demelza:
- Demelza delivers extraordinary care for extraordinary children who are facing serious or life-limiting conditions, throughout Kent, South East London and East Sussex. We’re here for them and their families with expert clinical, emotional and practical support at every step – from first diagnosis and for as long as we’re needed.
- Our support is as unique as every family we help, and designed to wrap around their specific requirements and circumstances: from creative therapies and short breaks, to practical and emotional support for families and siblings, and care towards the end of life.
- Our specialist nursing and care teams provide expert advice on complex symptoms and medication regimes and are here every day and every night, all year round.
- We support families wherever is best for them: in our hospice or in their homes, online, at school and in local communities. When they need us most, we’ll be there; to reassure, to guide and to care. By their side when they feel isolated, and helping to celebrate the joy in family life, making precious memories during challenging times.
- Demelza believes in care that doesn’t back down. We are Demelza.
Find out more about Demelza at www.demelza.org.uk, follow the charity on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/demelzacharity, @DemelzaCharity on Twitter and @demelzacharity on Instagram
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