On 28th March there was a Red Carpet screening of Andy Serkis' latest movie, Netflix release: Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle starring the Christian Bale, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, Freida Pinto and Andy himself.

At the event Andy announced the #SerkisFamilyChallenge - an ardous 17-day trek they are doing to Everest Base Camp #EBC16 to raise money for Best Beginnings! See fabulous photographic, video and written updates from Andy and Lorraine as they undertake their trek AND sponsor them on their #SerkisFamilyChallenge here.

Heartfelt thanks to our friends at The Everyman Cinema as well as Best Beginnings' Ambassadors, TV Presenter and Campaigner Charlie Webster, who MC'd the event and the Influencer and Model Aliia Roza who generously organised the evening to introduced her friends and contacts to the work of Best Beginnings.

See a video of the announcement of the #SerkisFamilyChallenge #EBC16 below:

During the Question and Answer session with Andy Serkis after the Movie Charlie Webster drew the audience’s attention to the incredible opening scenes of Mowgli and how communicative Mowgli was as a baby, highlighting the importance of the early years in children’s brain development and why she also supports Best Beginnings. See the video from the Q&A here:

Andy Serkis said

"Becoming parents is one of life's biggest challenges - it's a journey like no other, terrifying at times but unimaginably rewarding. Lorraine and I know how important the early years of a child’s development are, and so we have decided to undertake this extraordinary family adventure to raise money for Best Beginnings, so they can support more families in need, across the country, through that crucial time.”

Lorraine Ashbourne who was also present said

“Andy and I have been proud Ambassadors of the charity for many years and were delighted to help launch Best Beginnings’ multi-award-winning Baby Buddy app to support parents to give their children the best start. We are now taking our commitment to support the charity up a level, literally and figuratively, as we trek with Sonny and Louis to Everest Base Camp. £16 could help Best Beginnings support a family for a year with Baby Buddy and every donation, however small makes a difference, so I encourage everyone to sponsor us and encourage their friends and family to do the same”

Visit here their appeal page.

See here the amazing photos taken from the event:

Lorraine Ashbourne, actress and Andy Serkis, actor and director both Best Beginnings ambassadors;

  

Charlie Webster and Eunice Olumide                     Alison Baum and Dr Ranj

  

Left to right:
Shabira Papain (Best Beginnings COO), Alison Baum (Best Beginnings CEO), Bridie Hutsby (from Charlotte Tilbury), Liane Hoskyns-Brown (from Balmain Hair Couture), Eunice Olumide (Supermodel, Commentator and Best Beginnings Ambassador), Ching He Huang (TV Chef and Food Writer), Aliia Roza (Best Beginnings Ambassador, Influencer and event organisers)

 

Left to Right
Charlie Webster (Social Campaigner, TV Presenter and Best Beginnings' Ambassador, Eunice Olumide (Social Campaigner, Super Model and Best Beginnings' Ambassador), Andy Serkis (Actor, Director and Best Beginnings' Ambassador), Dr Ranj (Paediatrician, TV Presenter and Best Beginnings' Ambassador), Lorraine Ashbourne (Actor and Best Beginnings' Ambassador)

Left to Right:
Eunice Olumide, Aliia Roza and Aliia Roza's friend.

           You can see that the launch event was featured by our friends at HELLO! Magazine

Please sponsor the #SerkisFamilyChallenge #EBC16 and then shout out about it on social media!

Together we can make a difference for future generations!