Supporting Charities

Heather has been supporting charities since 1989. Causes she holds very close to her heart. 

Heather has worked hard throughout her life in order to place herself in a position that she may offer help and support to others. 

Heather first became involved in her lifetime of charity work by donating her time and energy to people in need of the former Yugoslavian War. Since then, Heather and her team have helped raise millions of pounds by supporting the disabled community and animals across the globe.

Charities Heather supports: -

Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation (VIVA)

Heather became a Patron for the animal welfare charity Viva in 2005.

Viva! campaigns for a vegetarian/vegan world and is an active, vivacious organisation fighting to stop cruelty and harm to animals.

In addition to this they also monitor the latest animal related research from all over the world in regards to environmental and development issues. They argue for change with hard science.

Viva also organises demonstrations, local campaigns and provides the general public with information and necessary support to ensure they know what’s happening and encourage them to change their diet. The best way to protect animals is to stop eating them!

They rely on public donations for their campaigns and outreach.

Appearing on US hit TV show, 'Dancing with the Stars' in 2007, Heather donated all her proceeds for the show to Viva.

Adopt-A-Minefield

As Co-Founder, Patron and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, Heather supported Adopt-A-Minefield by raising awareness about landmines, landmine survivors and much needed funds.

From 2000 - 2006 Heather helped to raise $18.5 million, which was used to clear a staggering 21.5million square meters of land littered with minefields. It helped to fund 64 landmine survivor projects and 70 landmine survivor assistance schemes and has assisted more than 400,000 amputees.

Exceed

Exceed, formally known as the Cambodia Trust. In 1996 and 1999 Heather visited Cambodia to help raise awareness by making a documentary on the troubles in Cambodia. Heather accompanied the Duchess of Kent on a fact finding mission for the charity, Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO). VSO established schools of prosthetics and orthotics in 4 different countries across Southeast Asia.  

A flagship school in Cambodia offers students from other countries in the region the chance to attend.  Graduates of the programme can integrate into the ranks of health care professionals and put their newfound knowledge of prosthetics and orthotics to work. 

Calvert Trust

The Calvert Trust is the inspiration of John Fryer-Spedding, whose vision was to enable people with disabilities to benefit from outdoor activities in the countryside.

With over 35 years of experience in delivering challenging outdoor adventure holidays for people living with disabilities, it's the ideal place for families with disabilities to discover what it is they can do individually and together. Heather was fortunate enough to help this great charity through fundraising activities. 

Easter Seals

Since 2008 Heather has been a board member of Easter Seals, New York and supports their efforts whenever she can. Easter Seals provides exceptional services, education, outreach, and advocacy so that people living with autism and other disabilities can live, learn, work and play in their communities. Easter Seals has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for more than 90 years.

From child development centres, physical rehabilitation and life skills training for people with disabilities. Easter Seals offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life's challenges and achieve their all-important personal goals.

Elected as an Easter Seals New York Board Member Heather offers her leadership, fundraising experience and advise to help Easter Seals communicate and raise funds so they can continue all the great work that the staff and army of volunteers are doing on a daily basis. Recently Heather has donated enough money for them to build a school.

Hunts Point Alliance for Children (HPAC)

Supporting the charity in the role of Honorary Chairwoman.

Hunts Point Alliance for Children, works with families to support the education and progress of the children of Hunts Point NY, USA. Heather donated  $1million to their infrastructure, combined with healthy food items.

Retreat Animal Rescue

In 2009 Heather became a Patron of Retreat Animal Rescue, whose mission is to provide a safe shelter for unwanted animals and offer a helping hand to support injured animals. Animal welfare is something that is close to Heather's heart, having campaigned for the ethical treatment of animals on numerous occasions, supporting charities such as, The Human Society and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

New York Coalition for Healthy School Foods (NYCHSF)

A non-profit organisation focused on educating schools to eat healthily by introducing plant based foods and nutritional education into schools. Heather gave her support to this great charity as she believes in eating healthily and being vegan. In Heather's case, becoming vegan helped her overcome a very difficult period of her life. One of the best starts a child can have is if they are educated on the benefits of eating healthily at a young age. They then have the stepping stone to go on to lead a long and healthy life.