Our Story
Creating a brighter future
In the United Kingdom, 3.9 million children (one in every four) are held back because they live in poverty.
At Sponsorstars, we believe that every child is unique and deserves the chance to dream, to achieve incredible things and to look forward to a wonderful future.
Sponsorstars was created by women from the education sector, who had seen firsthand the disadvantages children faced on a daily basis at schools due to lack of food, warm clothing, and resource.
Help us to change children’s life chances and educational attainment and sponsor a child in the United Kingdom today.


Meet The Team
From the head office and our all-important trustees to our cherished ambassadors, there is a big team committed to helping realise Sponsorstars vision.

Anna Maxwell Martin
Anna Maxwell Martin is an actress from stage and screen. Best known for her work on screen in BBC's 'Motherland' and ‘Line of Duty’ and at the National Theatre in ‘His Dark Materials’ and ‘Consent’. She has won Baftas for her work in ‘Bleak House’ and Channel 4’s ‘Poppy Shakespeare’. Most recently she has played Monica in Joe Penhall's play ‘The Constituent’ at The Old Vic and appeared in the BBC series ‘Ludwig’. As an ambassador of Sponsorstars she is a strong advocate for ensuring that all children have access to quality education adapted to their needs.

Bobby Seagull
After a career in the City as a trader for Lehman Brothers, and then as an accountant with PwC, Bobby is now a school maths teacher. He presented a BBC series “Monkman & Seagull’s Genius Guide to Britain” and published a book “The Life-Changing Magic of Numbers”. Bobby co-founded OxFizz, a social enterprise that supports students applying to university as well as being a trustee for the youth leadership charity, UpRising.

Katie Marshall
Katie Marshall is an award-winning 17-year-old Soprano. Since she started Classical singing at 6 years of age, Katie has performed at the O2, sung on Warner Music’s ‘Christmas at Downton Abbey’ album with the Downton Abbey & Broadway actor Julian Ovenden, and duetted with the King’s singers’ Paul Phoenix. She was nominated for a CLASSIC BRIT Award (Sound of Classical Poll).

Georgia Laidlaw
Georgia has undertaken various roles in both the charity and social care sectors. With a background and degree in Psychology, Georgia has a strong interest in the development of children. Understanding the importance of early education, she is passionate about ensuring all children are given equal education opportunities. Having been involved from the beginning, and watched the growth of Sponsorstars, Georgia is excited to further her fundraising efforts and help to make a difference.

Fiona Thompson
Fiona enjoyed a working life in television, as a writer, BBC producer and director, though volunteering in her children’s primary school gave her just as much enjoyment and satisfaction.
She is thankful for an education that gave her choice and opportunity and wants to work towards making that true for every child.

Hazel Annikin
Hazel has more than 25 years of work experience ranging across public and private sectors, including multinational companies in both Fast moving consumer goods and Luxury goods sectors. Her experience to date has been in Logistics, Finance and Sustainability and she has worked with colleagues worldwide to improve training and knowledge. She is passionate about the opportunities which can be available through education and strongly believes in the fundamental human right of everyone having equal access to education. Already a sponsor, Hazel decided to become a Trustee in order to give her time to help Sponsorstars further their work in helping disadvantaged children reach their full potential.

Johanna George
Johanna is a passionate and dedicated Assistant Headteacher at a London Primary School, with decades of experience. She is committed to ensuring all children receive opportunities to enable them to reach their potential. As a working teacher, Johanna understands the importance and positive impact of basic requirements such as access to healthy food and school uniform, on a child’s life and future opportunities.

Edmund Orme
Edmund is the Deputy Head Teacher at a preparatory school in Southwest London. Responsible for overseeing the academic provision, he is deeply committed to fostering progression and challenge across all areas of education. Driven by a passion for helping every pupil flourish, Edmund ensures that each student has the opportunity to showcase their strengths and explore their interests. He was especially eager to take on the role as Trustee at Sponsorstars, recognising the fundamental importance of ensuring young learners are fully equipped to thrive in their education.
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Alan Kelly
After a long and successful career with ExxonMobil, Alan is now Chairman of the Board of Visitors at Wake Forest University Business School, on the Worldwide Board for Junior Achievement and a member and former Marketing Committee Head of the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.
Our Corporate Sponsors
Contact us today to find out more, or for any media-related enquiries. Our offices are open Monday-Friday from 8am-7pm.
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