Emma, who adopted a Rwandan teenager, has emphasised the importance of Coram’s work in providing loving homes:
“All children, not just our own, deserve a safe place, our respect and our love.
Coram provides this for many children who might otherwise go to the wall.
Please help them to hear their voices.”
Tindyebwa Agaba, Emma’s son, was a 16-year-old refugee and former child soldier when she met him at a Refugee Council event in 2002. He had escaped to the UK with an aid agency and at first found himself homeless.
With the subsequent support from the Refugee Council, Westminster Council and Emma’s family he entered the Education System, and is now working around the world as a human rights activist.
Coram Children’s Legal Centre promotes the rights of children who are refugees or migrants in the UK like Tindyebwa giving free legal advice as well as conducting research to influence UK legislation and policy.
Join Emma and sign our pledge wall now Photograph by Nick Haddow
Emma’s pledge and the pledges of over 1,300 supporters who have signed their names in support of Coram are on our 275th anniversary wall- add yours now!
The charity was founded in 1739 when Thomas Coram returned to London from abroad and was appalled by the sight of babies being left to die on the city’s streets.
Refusing to ignore the plight of London’s most vulnerable children, he gathered the names of supporters and approached the King with a petition. He was granted a Royal Charter creating the Foundling Hospital, as Coram was originally known; the country’s first children’s charity.
The Foundling Hospital provided refuge and support for homeless babies, saving thousands of children’s lives.
Coram is celebrating its 275th anniversary and continues to be a leading children’s charity, supporting over a million children and young people every year. Its services include education outreach programmes and housing and youth support, as well as adoption and legal advice.
As well as Emma Thompson, Coram’s celebrity friends include Peter Capaldi, Vivienne Westwood, Annie Lennox and Richard E Grant.
Dr Carol Homden CBE, Coram’s Chief Executive, hopes that Emma Thompson’s pledge will inspire others to get involved: “Coram provides homes for children who have nowhere to go, finding loving permanent families through our adoption service and providing supported housing for homeless teenagers.
“Emma’s pledge highlights the importance of giving children a safe place to live, something that she has experience of as an adoptive parent.
“275 years after Thomas Coram rescued babies from the streets, the lives of the most vulnerable children are still blighted by suffering and hardship.
“So, please join Emma Thompson and all our supporters, and sign our pledge wall. Together, we can help to change the world for children again.”
Will you help us continue to fight for children and young people by signing our pledge today? Signing takes only a minute and will help spread the word about our crucial work.
Useful links
More about Coram’s work in adoption