Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Rippon has been “telling anyone who will listen” about a Wellington charity which supports people living with dementia, during the BBC show’s live tour across the UK.
Angela is patron of Reminiscence Learning and has been accompanied on tour by Archie, the charity’s mascot.
Archie is a scarecrow who – in the human form of charity chief executive Fiona Mahoney and her Archie Project Team – visits schools nationwide, both online and in-person, talking to children about dementia.
Angela said: “Archie has been everywhere with us – he’s had his picture taken in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and London and he’s been dancing with all the stars.
“I’ve been telling everyone about the fabulous work the charity does with people who have dementia and Archie is an important part of that.”
When the show came to the O2 in London, former BBC reporter Clinton Rogers, an ambassador for Reminiscence Learning, met Angela backstage to hear how she is using the tour to get the message across.
Clinton said: “Angela is such an enthusiastic and energetic patron for the charity. What she does is really fabulous.
“And the meeting was quite an experience. Our chat was in a ‘secret room’ at the O2, built at the behest of Lady Gaga – a condition for appearing there!
“Quite a place it was too with garish padded chairs and pendant lights in the shape of whiskey, gin and wine bottles. But then this is Lady Gaga!”
If you would like to know more about the charity and the services it offers, please visit www.reminiscencelearning.co.uk or call 01823 66 86 76.
MAIN PHOTO: Angela and Clinton pictured together at the O2. You can watch Clinton’s interview with Angela, below.