Events

Kids Taskforce President Sharon Doughty with PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor (left), Strictly Come Dancing's Kristina Rihanoff, Kids Taskforce sporting ambassador Jermain Defoe & other football representatives at the annual Kids Taskforce gala dinner.

Kids Taskforce Gala Dinner 2009

The Kids Taskforce third gala dinner was once again held at Lancaster House in November 2009 and was the first event to be attended by our new sporting ambassador, Spurs and England striker Jermain Defoe. Newsreader Nicholas Owen reprised his role as compere for the evening and Kids Taskforce President Sharon Doughty surprised guests with a cheeky cha-cha and jive on the dancefloor, judged by Strictly Come Dancing's Kristina Rihanoff and James Goodman - the son of Strictly head judge Len. Ministers Vernon Coaker and John Healey once again attended to offer their support.

Ministers, representatives from the police and fire service and the Professional Footballers' Association receive their awards at No 10 Downing Street, together with pupils from St Andrews Catholic Primary School in Streatham.

Kids Taskforce Champion Awards 2009

Children, teachers and government ministers were among those who were honoured at two ceremonies for the Kids Taskforce Champion Awards 2009. Awards were presented at the House of Commons and at a celebration reception at No 10 Downing Street, attended by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker and Local Government and Communities Minister John Healey. Schools were asked to nominate children and teachers who deserved recognition for making an outstanding contribution through use of the missdorothy.com and Watch Over Me learning programmes.

Guests at the Kids Taskforce gala dinner with pupils from St Andrews Catholic Primary School in Streatham who performed with entertainer Bobby Davro on the Kids Taskforce single 'missdorothy.com'.

Kids Taskforce Gala Dinner 2008

The Kids Taskforce second gala dinner was held at Lancaster House in November 2008. Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker, Police Minister Tony McNulty and Local Government Minister John Healey were tied up with a late vote in the House of Commons and dashed to the event just in time to make their speeches and enjoy the main course. Newsreader Nicholas Owen once again acted as compere for the evening and singer Jane McDonald presented auction prizes at the end of the evening.

Lynda Bellingham and Jane McDonald join the head of the Kids Taskforce Sharon Doughty (centre) to cut the celebration cake, with guests including Police Minister Vernon Coaker (far left), Minister for Local Government John Healey (far right), and representatives from sponsors Reliance.

Kids Taskforce 1st Anniversary Party

The Kids taskforce celebrated its first anniversary in May 2007 with a cocktail party at the House of Lords, which was sponsored by Reliance.  The evening was hosted by Baroness Harris of Richmond with ITN newsreader Alastair Stewart as compere.  Actress Lynda Bellingham, patron of the missdorothy.com and Watch Over Me learning programmes, and singer Jane McDonald cut a celebration cake to mark the occasion.

Cherie Booth QC with guests and schoolchildren who performed at the inaugural Kids Taskforce gala dinner at Lancaster House, November 2007.

Kids Taskforce Gala Dinner

The inaugural Kids Taskforce Gala Dinner was held at the magnificent and historic Lancaster House in London in November 2007.   Cherie Blair QC attended the event along with fire and police officers and other supporters of the Kids Taskforce. BBC newsreader and Kids Taskforce supporter Nicholas Owen acted as compere and auctioneer for the evening.

Awards ceremony in the House of Commons committee room.

Kids Taskforce Awards
The Kids Taskforce was launched in May 2007 with an awards ceremony at the House of Commons, followed by the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between ACPO, CFOA and the PFA at the House of Lords.  A hundred adults and young people who had shown commitment to the missdorothy.com and Watch Over Me learning programmes were honoured with awards.