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Merlin congratulates patron Natasha Kaplinsky on Strictly Come Dancing win |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 03 July 2004 |
Merlin’s fleet-of-foot patron, Natasha Kaplinsky, has sambad her way to win Strictly Come Dancing. In a sizzling live finale on BBC One, Natasha - who donated her fee for the show to Merlin - and her dancing partner Brendan Cole won the all-important viewer vote, to steal first place.
Natasha’s decision to take part in the show was influenced by a trip to DR Congo in May this year, during which she visited Merlin’s largest programme, in the East of the country. There, she witnessed first-hand some of the devastating consequences that one of the world’s worst wars has had on the lives of local people, including women who have been brutally and systematically raped, and children who have been orphaned and in many cases, abandoned.
Natasha described her trip as “One of the most moving experiences of my life. To go straight into a show like Strictly Come Dancing after such a profound experience was a real reality check. But I’m happy that taking part has given me the opportunity to help draw attention to what has been going on in DR Congo, and to support Merlin’s work there.” In Kindu, eastern DR Congo, Natasha met with women’s groups which provide psychosocial support to rape victims, and in Beni, in the north of the region, she visited camps for people who have been left homeless by the war.
“Natasha’s support has been terrific,” said Geoff Prescott, Merlin’s CEO. “We are lucky to have a patron who is so passionate about our work, and will go to such lengths for us. I’m sure Natasha’s feet won’t have thanked her for it but Merlin, and all our beneficiaries, certainly are tremendously grateful for all her hard work.”
Merlin has continued to work during the latest crisis in DR Congo, providing essential healthcare to civilian populations in Kindu, Beni, Kalima, Punia, Kenya and Lodja. Merlin runs one of the largest NGO programmes in DR Congo, reaching over one million beneficiaries.
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