Ben Fogle

Ben is heading off to Ethiopia with the charity facing Africa to make a BBC documentary about the disease Noma. Due to be aired in 2010.

Ben visited injured soldiers and their families at Hedley Court near Epsom in Surrey and nearby Norton House, run by SSAFA.

‘It was an enormously humbling experience to meet real life heroes, men and women who have put their lives at risk in the line of duty’, ‘nothing I have ever done, or will ever do, will compare with the brave stoicism of these young men and women’, ‘it was un utterly compeling, enlightening and inspiring visit’ Ben was a guest of the British Forces Foundation and he hopes to visit the sister site in Selly Oak, Birmingham in the New Year.

Ben and James will leave from Edinburgh Castle at 8am on Saturday 3rd october and cycle a rickshaw non stop 450 miles to London in time for ITV’s Pride of Britain Awards on monday night (5th oct). They will be cycling for SSAFA the injured servicemen and women and their families. You can make a donation and follow their progress at www.rideofbritain.org.uk and watch their efforts on Wednesday 7th oct on ITV.

About SSAFA

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help provides practical assistance and emotional support to troops and their families as they come to terms with serious and life-changing injuries. The charity offers life-long support to servicemen and women past and present.

www.ssafa.org.uk

Don’t miss Ben talking about his latest book and adventures on Friday 23rd October at Lulworth Castle

• Castle doors open: 6.30pm
• Talk starts: 7pm
• Followed by a Q&A and signing
• Licensed bar

For more information visit www.weld-hospice.org.uk

60th anniversary, 10 days, 10 guest directors, over 440 events.
The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, 9-18 October 2009.

The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival returns from 9-18 October in a ten day 60th anniversary celebration. With its signature blend of award-winning writers, world-renowned thinkers and international star names the Festival has come a long way since its 9 events in 1949 - now attracting over 100,000 visitors to hundreds of events every year. At its heart the festival still rejoices in the joy of books, the thrill of debate and the unique interaction between writer and reader.

This year’s programme looks back over the last 60 years and questions what the future might bring: 10 Guest Directors will lead this exploration, with each programming a very special day of events. Poet Simon Armitage takes to the helm on the opening Friday, followed by theatre and film director Richard Eyre, national treasure Sandi Toksvig, prize-winning novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, scientist and broadcaster Alice Roberts, celebrated Brick Lane author Monica Ali, frontline foreign correspondent Rageh Omaar, bestselling children’s writer and Alex Rider creator Anthony Horowitz, comedian Mark Watson and acclaimed novelist Jonathan Coe.

Guest names include David Mitchell and Robert Webb, Judi Dench, Sebastian Faulks, Stephen Fry, Michael Palin, Audrey Niffenegger, Jack Dee, Jo Brand, Richard Eyre, Justin Lee Collins, Alan Davies, Rich Hall, Al Murray, The Now Show, David Walliams, Julia Donaldson, Michael Rosen, James Martin, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, James Cracknell and Ben Fogle.

For more information visit the Cheltenham Literature Festival web site.

For bookings contact the Box Office: 0844 576 7979