(Image: Victoria Jones / PA Wire)
Geri Halliwell has paid an emotional tribute following the death of British icon Dame Esther Rantzen.
An event celebrating Childline’s four decades took place in London on Wednesday, a week on from the broadcaster and campaigner’s death at the age of 86 after a cancer diagnosis.
Ms Halliwell, who lives on the Oxfordshire border near Banbury and is an ambassador of Childline, said Dame Esther had “worked tirelessly to found Childline 40 years ago” and “would want us to honour her work” by ensuring it carries on.
Her death prompted tributes from celebrities, campaigners and Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who said she “changed countless lives and gave a voice to people who often went unheard”.
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Dame Esther, who spent 21 years fronting BBC consumer affairs show That’s Life!, founded Childline – to provide counselling for young people – after a temporary helpline opened for viewers affected by a programme about a toddler who had starved to death was swamped with callers.
The calls mainly came from children suffering sexual abuse they had never been able to disclose to anyone else, giving Dame Esther, who studied at Oxford University, the idea for a specific helpline for children, open 24/7 throughout the year.
Ms Halliwell, addressing guests at the event ahead of Childline’s official 40th anniversary on October 30, said: “Of course, there’s no way to discuss the incredible work of Childline without mentioning the inspirational Dame Esther Rantzen, who worked tirelessly to found Childline 40 years ago.
“I first met Esther following the death of my dear friend George Michael in 2016. After George died, it was Esther who told me how much he had donated to the charity over the years, and it blew me away.
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“I wanted to continue George’s legacy and, after an encouraging conversation with Esther, approached the charity and soon became a Childline ambassador. I’m proud to have had the opportunity to work with volunteers and colleagues who help hundreds of thousands of children in need each year.
“I’ve been very fortunate to be friends with Esther for a decade, and I know how proud she was of Childline. I think it is so important that we work to continue her legacy.
“Children and young people need us more than ever, and I know Esther would want us to honour her work and continue the vital, important work that Childline does.”
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NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood described Dame Esther as a “unique, inspiring and truly remarkable woman” who had “dedicated so much of her time and energy to ensuring there was always somewhere to turn and someone to talk to for children in need of help”.
He said Wednesday’s event was an opportunity for people to come together “to pay their own tribute to Esther, look back over the last 40 years and look forward to the next decade and beyond for the service”.
Childline, now part of the NSPCC children’s charity, has delivered more than six million counselling sessions.