The Heritage Foundation, which originally started out as the Dead Comic's Society then became Comic Heritage... honouring great comedy stars that had passed away....is another Charity our hero has been involved with for around 18 years.  The charity is run by David Graham and holds numerous functions throughout the year, raising finance for various needy charitable ventures. In the past it has given out funds to the likes of Aspire, the GOWR, the EABF, British Heart Foundation, and many others.  Sir Norman has also had a year in office as President of the Heritage Foundation and around 18 months ago was honoured with a very special 'Norman Wisdom Day', run in conjunction with the NWFC.

 

Another of Norman's money raising ventures has been his appearances with Encore Magazine's Theatre Awards to help raise finance for the Roy Castle Cancer Fund. 'Encore' is edited by Peter Foot and if you would like more information about the magazine the website is www.encorextra.com 

Norman's last stage appearance was at the Awards function, held at Croydon's Fairfield Halls in May 2007, where he got up on stage and sang part of his No.1 hit 'Don't Laugh At Me'....then promptly blew a raspberry! The audience loved him, and this was also featured in the BBC television documentary 'The Secret Life Of Norman Wisdom Aged 92 3/4' which saw Sir Norman moving into his new retirement home on the Isle-O-Man, and somewhere where he seems completely happy and very settled.  Mind you, he does sing to his captive audience every day....but they seem to love it....and he's very happy entertaining them, and with living there. 

 

Two more important charities that are close to Norman are the Macmillan Cancer Support and The Commonwealth Development Trust.

 

The Macmiilian Cancer Support, who recently benefited from him starring in the short film 'Expresso' by Kevin Powis and Martin Nigel Davey (www.expressofilm.com) and which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival was the film chosen to publicise Macmillan's "World's Biggest Coffee Morning" in which coffee mornings were held at venues all over the world, endeavouring to bring people together whilst also making money for Cancer sufferers.  The film 'Expresso' also starred a host of showbiz names including Geoffrey Hughes, Don Warrington, Finty Williams, Lucy Mans, Guy Henry, Richard Ng and many more.  It was set in a coffee house and was a collection of short sketches, based around the various people that used the same table thoughout the day. Sir Norman played a Vicar trying to get rid of a bluebottle fly that kept landing on the sermon he was trying to write. Needless to say, his comic timing was impeccable. The crew and the rest of the cast were overawed by his talent.

 

The Commonwealth Development Trust are proud to have Sir Norman as their Patron as this charity is close to Norman's heart. To help the underprivileged is always a thrill for our Norman as he spent the early years of his life struggling to get a foot on the ladder to gain some kind of success. I think at the time it probably seemed more like a matter of survival, especially in the early days when he actually walked from London to Cardiff. This Charity helps many of the countries in the Commonwealth that do not have the resources of some of the larger Commonwealth areas. There will be training, education, new forests, and a whole wealth of expertise & finance to help these underprivileged areas progress. For more details about the work the CDT is involved with, log on to www.commonwealthdevelopment.org

 

Norman has also achieved several accolades for his Charity work including The Freedom Of The City Of London, The Freedom Of Douglas (I-O-M) and The Freedom Of Tirana (Albania).  He has also guested at many Royal functions for The Not Forgotten Association, including visits to both St.James' and Buckingham Palace where he has entertained the veterans of past wars.

 

That's called 'giving something back!'  ......What a Star!

Sir Norman has also been involved, on numerous occasions, with the Enfield NHS Primary care Trust, linked up with the North Middlesex Hospital and Barnet & Chase Farm Hospital along with Age Concern. Here we see several of the publicity shots promoting Health and an Active life for the not so young.
 

Kostakis and the Enfield Primary Care Trust seem to be leading the field in giving prompt and effective treatment and rehabilitation services for the elderly, and also trying to make improvements around the house that make a home more safe and secure. All this is so beneficial for the older and more vulnerable members of the community. It is also helpful that the elderly have the right access to the right medicine, at the right dose and in the right form. It makes the aged remain a little more independent and feel safer at home.
 

As always, Sir Norman is in the thick of the publicity campaign, always ready to lend a hand, always ready to bring a smile to someone's face.