A host of famous stars have revealed their favourite childhood memories in support of ActionAid’s Lick Child Poverty Action Day, which this year is on Friday 30 September 2005.

Emma Thompson, Meera Syal, Chris Tarrant, Billie Piper and Jo Brand are just some of the names who have supported the nationwide fundraiser aimed at putting an end to child poverty.

International charity, ActionAid, wants children in the world’s poorest countries to have the same happy memories.  But in today’s world there are more than 600 million children living in poverty. As the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign revealed, a child dies every 3 seconds because of being poor. Hunger, disease, and lack of water or education are all avoidable, but today they are causing terrible suffering.

TV presenter Gail Porter, also supporting the campaign, said: “All children should have the opportunity to enjoy a safe and secure childhood, free from poverty.  We’re hoping that the big kid in us will take part in all the fun and raise loads of lolly to lick child poverty for good.”
For the favourite childhood memories of a range of stars, including actors, comedians, musicians, authors and TV presenters see the list below.

Meera Syal - commedienne

“Me and me dad walking through a cornfield in the mining village in the Midlands where I grew up. My dad looked like a giant striding through a sea of moving gold and I thought he was the cleverest and most powerful man in the world”

Melinda Messenger – TV presenter

“Running around a carpet shop with my brothers.  We spent hours chasing each other in and out of the huge rolls of carpet.  It was so much fun partly because we shouldn’t have been doing it, but also because it seemed so huge.  I still love the smell of new carpets and can’t wait to chase my lads round the carpet shop.”

Miriam Margolyes - actress

“I remember May 8, 1945 when I was ten years old. It was Victory Day and my mother decided to give all the bus crews who passed our house in Banbury Road., Oxford some nice tea, sandwiches and cakes. I helped her to prepare it all and we put a trestle table on the pavement outside our house. The buses all stopped and had a chat and a bit of a laugh. It was quite sunny, everyone was happy. And I ate lots of cakes too!”

Ross Kelly – TV presenter

“Walking my black Labrador along the riverbank.  I’d wade across for a shortcut, the water would go over my well tops, and I’d squish-squish home with wet socks.  And a happy dog!”

Hugh Dennis – actor/ comedian

“Sliding from the top to the bottom of a hill in Dorset, on sledges made from old plastic fertilizer bags, with my Dad and my brother.  Smelly, but fun!”