Rachael Stirling Online

Rigg backs orphanage

Posted by Bonnie at 12.00am

A Bath charity which helps children in India get out of a life of poverty has a new celebrity patron.

Avengers star Dame Diana Rigg and her daughter Rachael Stirling have given their official support to Kerala Crafts.

The charity, which was set up in 2001, imports banana fibre baskets, bags and purses from the Vimala Welfare Centre in the southern Indian state of Kerala. These goods are then distributed to shops and Fairtrade outlets, with all the profits going back to the centre.

It also works with the Valsalya Bhavan or House of Affection orphanage, which is run by the centre, and is aiming to raise £75,000 to help build new accommodation for the girls there.

Kerala Crafts founder Christine Snow, from Oldfield Park, said the two new patrons were already getting actively involved in the charity's good work.

She said: "Diana lived in northern India for the first eight years of her life, where her father was a railway executive.

"Rachael visited the orphanage in February this year while on holiday in Kerala and said it was the highlight of her time in India. Between them Diana and Rachael have sponsored three of the girls."

Actress Felicity Kendal is also a supporter. Anyone wishing to support the charity should contact Mrs Snow on 01225 319642.

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A few interviews… but not with Rachael!

Posted by Bonnie at 5.54pm

Thank you all for your patience lately. I haven't been able to keep the site updated as I would've liked, as I've been so busy with the charity auction and also with things in my personal life, however I am slowly making updates here and there.

Just a few interviews added today, but not ones with Rachael…

Dame Diana Rigg was recently interviewed by the press as she's appearing in a new play in London, "Pygmalion". She mentioned Rachael in a couple of her interviews and I have added them to the site: 'The nature of fame has changed – it's so invasive now' says Diana Rigg and Dame Diana Rigg: Why I'm happy to leave no turn unstoned.

Similarly, Oliver Chris was also interviewed in early May, and mentioned Rachael. I have added that interview too: The Big Interview: Oliver Chris.

I'm hoping to do a more substantial update soon!

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Auction now OVER – but we're still not there yet!

Posted by Bonnie at 1.04pm

The charity auction ended last weekend, and in total, thanks to everyone's generosity, we managed to raise £2,179.71 from the auction alone, with an additional £1,428.04 (so far!) in donations at our page at http://www.justgiving.com/rachael-stirling/

We are now up to £3,607.75 in total – who is going to get us to the £4,000 mark?!!

If you haven't already donated or bought something in the auction, please spare a few moments and do so at http://www.justgiving.com/rachael-stirling/ if you can! Rachael and I would REALLY appreciate it.

If you are curious to see how much the auction items sold for in the end, and to see the names of the people who bid on everything, please go to http://www.rachael-stirling.com/charity/ where I have posted these details.

We would both like to thank you for your continued support in reaching the ultimate target of £5,000 which we hope to achieve before 31st July 2011, our deadline.

Many thanks
Bonnie and Rachael xx

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BBC Radio 4: Loose Ends (4 Jun 2011)

Posted by Bonnie at 12.00am

Rachael appeared on BBC Radio 4's talk show Loose Ends to interview television's Fairy Jobmother, Hayley Taylor.

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