My Story

Read my interview with Arts Emergency here

This is possibly the scariest thing I've ever done!! I'm not a long distance cyclist and never got anywhere close to 100 miles before but up for a challenge and I have such admiration for Arts Emergency that I couldn't say no :)

On 29th May myself and 3 others will be riding 100 miles as part of Ride London to raise money for Arts Emergency. £1000 enables a young person to undergo a year of mentoring and to be part of their network until the age of 26 with all of the support that that entails.

Arts Emergency are a wonderful charity aiming to level the playing field within the arts and humanities. An alternative to an old boys' network, made up of arts professionals in all sorts of fields across the country, they support young people from disadvantaged and excluded backgrounds to create better access to these career paths for all. I think they're incredible and with them you know that every penny and offering is really making a difference. I've never come across a charity quite as proactive and determined as them to make an active change within these industries.

I feel immensely lucky to be working as an actor and have felt first-hand how industries like mine are hard to crack unless you know people. Doors shouldn't be closed to our young people based purely on this. The arts (and as a result, all of our lives!) become enriched when people of all different backgrounds are able to contribute - things become far more exciting!

I love to cycle round London and the freedom of being on a bicycle. But this is something else! I've never raced before, only just got the gear and normally cycle on a big ol' Dutch bike! The training is hardcore and psychologically I imagine the 100 miles will be a challenge, but please donate to this wonderful charity, if you can spare the cash, and all will be worth it! Advice most welcome too!

Love, Ella x