Jonathan Rhys-Myers Announced As HOPEs Ambassador

Jonathan Rhys-Myers took a break from his busy schedule to announce his latest role, as ambassador for the Irish charity, the Hope Foundation, a charity set up to help the street children of Kolkata

As an ambassador, Jonathan hopes to help raise the profile of the charity and their continuous efforts working with street children.

Jonathan plans to visit Calcutta this year to see for himself the appalling conditions in which the street children live and the tireless efforts and work carried out by HOPE.

On becoming an ambassador for the Hope Foundation, Jonathan said: “ I'm deeply honoured to become an ambassador for an organization like The Hope Foundation. HOPE, an initiative started in my native Cork over eight years ago, has provided shelter, medical care and support to some of the world's poorest and most mistreated children, the street children of Calcutta. If I can use my name and celebrity to advance awareness of great work the HOPE does in some small way then I am delighted to be able to do so. I want to salute the efforts of all those who work tirelessly for The Hope Foundation and to it's director Maureen Forrest and to wish them continued success in the very important work that they are doing on behalf of some of the world's most vulnerable children."

The Hope Foundations aim is to restore basic human rights to the street children of Calcutta. Children forced to exist on the streets and in slums areas with no form of shelter- being born, washing, eating, sleeping and dying on the streets, alone and uncared for. There are many injustices in the world, but few can be so harsh as a child’s future stolen, her life over before it has even begun.

Founded in Cork in 1999, HOPE supports over 57 projects including fives homes, a HIV/AIDS hospice and a drugs rehabilitation centre and a hospital for the street children.

HOPE battles against child labour and child trafficking to highlight the unimaginable suffering the estimated 250,000 street children have to endure. In 2007 Maureen Forrest director of the Hope Foundation won International Person of the Year for her dedication and work.

Speaking at the launch, Maureen Forrest said: We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jonathan as our ambassador and we look forward to forging a strong relationship with him.