Stephen Tompkinson - Philanthropy / Public Service

Philanthropy / Public Service

In June 2012, Stephen recorded a brief video statement for JoiningJack.org, a fundraising effort toward research to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a fatal genetic disorder that affects children.

In March 2012, he supported the Westminster Carers Time Bank by attending a luncheon in London as the group's special guest. The event was designed to attract new people interested in contributing their time to help others in the community in various ways. The group considered the event "a resounding success," as over 100 people attended and 30 new carers signed on.

In February 2012, he lent his support to former Newcastle United footballer Robbie Elliott, by participating at the launch of the Robbie Elliott Foundation in an event held near St James' Park in Newcastle. Stephen revealed that Robbie had helped him with a rigorous exercise regimen to put him in shape for filming Harrigan. He was keen to get behind the Bike for Bobby charity cycle ride Robbie intends to do — "3,500 miles, 8 clubs, 4 countries, 1 Sir Bobby Robson." Money raised will be split between the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Stories captured along the trip route — from Lisbon to Newcastle — will be made into a documentary narrated by Stephen and premiered in London in late 2012. (Watch Trailer)

In late 2011, he recorded an advert for Text Santa, a charity initiative set up by ITV to support nine UK charities at Christmas. The advert was broadcast repeatedly during December, leading up to ITV's two Text Santa holiday specials. Stars of other ITV shows made similar adverts. In January 2012, it was announced that £4,120,000 was raised for the various charities. (VIDEO: Text Santa Advert: Stephen Tompkinson)

Also in 2011, the Benfield Motor Group, the largest independent motor group in North East England, gave a substantial cash infusion to the Live Theatre in Newcastle. The money will be used to support the wealth of education and outreach work to be carried out by the Theatre over the next five years. He was asked to participate in the naming ceremony for a special room at the Theatre devoted to writers, as a space for them to gather their thoughts and draw inspiration. Stephen said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time performing at Live Theatre over the last few weeks and when I was asked to help name this room I was delighted to be of assistance....Having a writers' room is vital because without them actors would be speechless."

In March 2011, he supported the Hallmark Cards for a Cure™ Mothers Day campaign when he handed over a £25,000 donation for a breast cancer research project at Newcastle University.

In 2010, he filmed a public service video in which he visited the award-winning Langley Green Hospital, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Crawley, West Sussex. He delivered an anti-stigma, anti-discrimination message and praised the work of the acute care staff who help patients on the road to recovery from mental illness.

In 2009, he gave his backing to Chester Zoo’s £225m project to become the largest animal attraction in Europe. He took a break from filming his African Balloon Adventure to take a closer look at the 110-acre zoo and its plans to create a conservation bio-dome titled "Natural Vision." He also provided the voiceover on the promotional video Chester Zoo — A Fantastic Day Out, which is featured on the zoo's website. After meeting staff and touring the zoo, Stephen said, "We particularly enjoyed seeing behind the scenes in the orangutan enclosure and the baby black rhino. Feeding the lemurs and the penguins was a real highlight. I am delighted to be associated with Chester Zoo and the important wildlife conservation work they contribute to all around the world." (VIDEO: Chester Zoo: A Fantastic Day Out)

In 2008, he became an Ambassador for Project African Wilderness (PAW), a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to protect and restore the Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve in Malawi. He threw his support behind a bike ride the group had organized to draw attention to their conservation work. He said:

"After spending several months in Africa filming, I'm reminded how beautiful and fragile the environment is. We take for granted that it will always be there but, without organisations such as Project African Wilderness dedicating time, resources and passion to maintain conservation reserves such as Mwabvi, Africa would be a different place. I admire people who give up their time to join the cause and raise money to support a charity, and this bike ride is the ultimate test and will be a truly amazing experience. Well done to those people who have already signed up to ride across north Malawi and to those people thinking about it — what are you waiting for!!"

In June 2006, he attended an event at the Trafalgar Hotel in London titled 'A Smile is a Gift', to support children and families affected by HIV.

Over the years he has participated in Comic Relief's Red Nose Day. In 2001, he was one of the team describing the work the charity does in Britain, helping victims of early Alzheimer's or teenagers who are HIV positive. In 1997, Stephen and Dervla Kirwan did a Comic Relief sketch titled Ballykissdibley — with Dawn French and the cast of The Vicar of Dibley — in which they played their Ballykissangel characters, Fr. Peter Clifford and Assumpta Fitzgerald. (VIDEO: Ballykissdibley Comic Relief)