Our Patrons
Circle is fortunate in having the support of it’s patrons.
Scots actor David Tennant, political journalist Andrew Marr, film-maker Richard Jobson, writer and performer Arabella Weir and writer Maggie Darling pool their varied skills to help the charity in its work in Scotland.
David is best known for his role in Dr Who.
He was born and brought up in the West of Scotland and is acclaimed for many roles, including his television performance as Casanova.
David Tennant
‘I was blessed with a safe and happy childhood. It is unacceptable to me that any child in Scotland should grow up in poverty or neglect. I am delighted and honoured to be supporting Circle in Scotland as they spread their invaluable work across the country.’
Richard was born in Fife and brought up there and in Edinburgh. He was lead singer of seventies punk band The Skids before moving into film-making. Among his award winning films are 16 Years of Alcohol and the Purifiers. His most recent release A Woman in Winter was premiered in Edinburgh to raise funds and the profile of fsu Scotland (the former name for Circle).
Richard Jobson
‘You have to remember, I am one of those kids who lived through this. I know first hand that if you do have the right support then you can come through the other side. Circle provides that support to Scotland’s kids.’
Andrew was born and raised in Scotland and is a distinguished broadcaster and journalist. He has been the BBC ‘s Chief Political Editor and now presents his own Sunday morning show, replacing Sir David Frost. He hosts Start the Week on Radio 4 and is the author of a series of successful books on politics.
Andrew Marr
‘I used to do quite a bit of volunteering work in Edinburgh, half a lifetime ago! It’s my favourite town on the planet but it has always been much too good at hiding poverty and despair behind it’s formal face; and I am delighted to help a charity that has dared to look around the corner.’
Arabella is a comedy writer and performer whose family roots are in Scotland. Her best-selling book Does My Bum Look Big in This followed a successful stint as sketch writer and performer on the Fast Show. She is the mother of two small children.
Arabella Weir knows full well the tremendous difficulties of bringing up kids and says:
‘It doesn’t take too much imagination to understand why Circle’s work, reaching out to families in trouble, needs support from those of us who have been lucky enough to draw a longer straw.’
Maggie was born and brought up in Edinburgh, had a long successful career in journalism, as a staff writer for the Glasgow Herald, Sunday Standard and Daily Record, as well as publishing in the Guardian, Sunday Times and Observer and a variety of other publications. She also trained in radio journalism. She continues to write and to live in Edinburgh.