Award winning stars, broadcaster Ayo Akinwolere and actor Imelda Staunton CBE, have been announced as national homelessness charity Crisis’ newest Ambassadors.  

Broadcaster Ayo has supported Crisis for a number of years and even took an icy plunge as part of the charity’s winter Icebreaker events to raise money for the charity. Most recently, Ayo supported the charity’s Christmas campaign last year where he provided entertainment for guests at Crisis’ Christmas services and featured in the charity’s Christmas fundraising film encouraging viewers to support their work.  

Harry Potter, and soon-to-be The Crown, star Imelda has supported Crisis for the last ten years. Imelda has been a regular attendee at Crisis events during this time, visiting Crisis’ services to learn more about Crisis’ work in ending homelessness, and has supported the charity’s A Safe Home campaign to call for a change in the law to ensure people fleeing domestic abuse can access homelessness support from their local authority. In recent years, Imelda has also volunteered at the charity’s Christmas services, alongside her family, serving lunch, chatting with guests and providing support for people experiencing homelessness at one of the toughest times of year.  

The recent pandemic has shown more clearly than any event in our history just how important a secure home is and why everyone should have one. As Ambassadors, the pair will play key roles in supporting Crisis to help the charity raise awareness of its mission to end homelessness for good, including supporting this year’s 50th anniversary of Crisis at Christmas campaign.  

Ayo Akinwolere said: “I jumped at the chance to support Crisis and I’m really looking forward to being part of the Crisis family. Homelessness is a really complicated and complex situation across Britain, but with the right approach we can end it. There’s a lot of work still to be done and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to help raise awareness where I can.”  

Imelda Staunton CBE said: “I have been a supporter of Crisis for many years and I’m excited to have recently become an Ambassador. Homelessness is still a major issue in this country and I’m happy to do anything I can to support Crisis in their efforts to put an end to homelessness once and for all.”  

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have Imelda and Ayo join us as Ambassadors. Both have provided invaluable support to Crisis over the years and have been key voices in helping us continue our work in supporting people out of homelessness, and in our mission to end homelessness for good. We look forward to working with them both more closely in the future.”