Benidorm’s Steve Pemberton wins £13k for Lancashire children’s charity close to his heart on Weakest Link

Steve, who is an ambassador for Derian House Children’s Hospice and grew up in Chorley, not far from the hospice building, said: “It’s an incredible cause and I’m delighted to give them that money.”

The former Saint Michael's Church of England High School pupil made it all the way to the final round on the latest The Weakest Link, hosted by comedian Romesh Ranganathan, alongside fellow celebrity contestant, BBC Still Game’s Sanjeev Kohli, and was crowned the strongest link on Saturday 17 January.

“That last round was like all the other rounds combined. It was really tense, but I’m really pleased - and really pleased for the charity,” Steve continued.

“Derian House Children’s Hospice, is in Chorley, Lancashire, which is where I’m from. They support children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. I grew up very close to the site where Derian House now stands. In fact, I used to play football on the field beside where the hospice is now. Derian House is well known in the area and nationally for providing the very best care for children and their families – and I am very proud to support everything they do.”

Multi award-winning actor and producer Steve is a long-standing supporter of Derian House, the hospice that cares for 400 families each year, and has made several generous donations to the charity over the years.

He is also an executive producer of Derian House documentary, ‘The Little Things’, which is available to watch on Amazon Prime in the UK and the US.

Steve joined fellow celebrities Cherry Healey, Sian Welby, Jason Mohammad, Ashley Storrie, Dean McCullough, Sanjeev Kohli and Charley Marlowe on Saturday night’s show.

Caroline Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “Steve is a fantastic ambassador for Derian. The money raised will make a real difference to the children and families who rely on our care, and we are so thankful that he has chosen once again to shine a light on the work we do.

“Care is free to families at Derian House, but it will cost £6million to run the hospice this year. The charity only receives around 30% of government funding, meaning it relies on kind-hearted supporters to raise 70p in every £1.”

Derian House, based in Chorley, Lancashire, cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West, helping them to make the most of every moment.

Find out more: www.derianhouse.co.uk