Pantomime dame Ben Roddy has agreed to champion the children’s educational charity, the KM Charity Team.

Ben Roddy, who plays Dolly the Cook in the Marlowe Theatre’s current production of Dick Whittington, has become an Honorary Patron for the KM Charity Team, which runs a number of school-based services including the county’s Walk to School campaign and the popular primary school reading scheme, Buster’s Book Club.

Ben, who lives in Canterbury, said: “I'm delighted to become an Honorary Patron of the KM Charity Team and will look forward to supporting their excellent work in the future"

This season marks his eighteenth consecutive pantomime at the Marlow Theatre as dame. Mr Roddy has also worked extensively across theatre, radio, television and film for many years.

He has been a supporter of the KM Charity Team in 2016 and will now step up his activity motivating the 60,000 children who use either the charity’s award-winning Super Wow! scheme to encourage green travel to school or Buster’s Book Club home reading challenges.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the KM Charity Team, said he was thrilled that Ben had agreed to take on the ambassadorial role, adding: “Ben has been a huge hit with the children taking part in our initiatives when he has visited schools on our behalf so we are delighted to have his continuing support.”

KM Charity Team’s educational work is supported by Mini Baby Bel, Specsavers, 3Rs teacher recruitment, Countrystyle Rcycling, Volker Highways, Gallagher Aggregates, Eurostar, Whitefriars, Kent County Council, Medway Council, London Borough of Bexley, Orbit, Jelf and Golding Homes.

To find out more visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk

Ben Roddy appears in Dick Whittington alongside Steven Mulhern and Lloyd Hollett. The show runs until Sunday 8th January. For more information and to book tickets, visit marlowetheatre.com or call the box office on 01227 787 787.