Help me find the star in every child

AS a child I’d never dreamt of being an actor. Growing up in my house was like growing up in a war zone. From a young age I was surviving, just putting one foot in front of the other – I certainly wasn’t reaching for the stars.

Luckily, a chance encounter with an amateur dramatics club introduced me to a world I had no knowledge of. But what if I hadn’t had that lucky break?

I truly believe there’s a star in every child but in 2021 far too many children in the UK are being denied the chance to let that star shine. It’s hard for your imagination, your

personality, for you to come through when you’re hungry, facing neglect or abuse and struggling to make sense of who you are.

It’s heartbreaking that over 4 million UK children live in poverty, one in ten suffer from neglect and five kids in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health condition. That’s so many children who could become actors, dancers, scientists, astronauts, engineers – anything they dream they could be – whose childhood struggles mean they will not fulfill that potential.

As an ambassador for Action for Children I’m asking you to join their campaign this September to help these vulnerable children. With your help, we can ensure children have the basics – the things every child needs, like warm clothes and proper meals. Things to make them feel safe and comfortable, like a proper bed. And the things that help them reach for the stars, like supporting them with their mental health.

There’s so much you can do to help – including joining in with our new Star Jump Challenge – just visit actionforchildren.org.uk/star. There’s a star in every child – can you help them find it and let it shine?

Larry Lamb, actor and Action for

Children ambassador