Suffolk Libraries announces its first ever patrons!

Suffolk Libraries is delighted to announce three prominent Suffolk residents as its first ever official patrons.

Emma Freud, Michaela Doherty and Gina Long have kindly agreed to lend their name and support to Suffolk Libraries.

Emma Freud is Executive Producer of Comic Relief, was a co-creator of Make Poverty History and the Live 8 concerts and was awarded an OBE for services to the charitable sector. Michaela Doherty is the Managing Director of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park. Gina Long MBE is founder of The GeeWizz Charitable Foundation, a philanthropist, entrepreneur, freelance journalist, and global charity campaigner.

All three have been impressed by the impact Suffolk Libraries makes on local communities in Suffolk and have been happy to lend their patronage to help the organisation spread the word about its work.

Emma Freud said:

“I thought I knew what libraries in the UK were all about - I was entirely wrong. The 45 Suffolk libraries are really special - run by a charitable trust, independently from the council, they exist as a centre of support, warmth, education and connection for our communities.

“They’re not just here to lend inspiring books (though they do that too) - they are busy, vibrant, crucial centres of activity... tackling loneliness for parents and young children, or tackling isolation for the elderly, running classes to help adults become more employable, hosting Citizens Advice sessions for ALL citizens, as well as craft clubs, film clubs, theatre events, gardening lessons, conversation sessions for non-English speakers, and a stack of events to nurse the creativity of an entire country.

“As Executive Producer of Comic Relief, I’ve spent the last 30 years campaigning on behalf of projects that make a difference to the lives of people across the UK. I am now truly honoured to support this incredible network of 'Super-Libraries' with their vision to make life better for all the residents of Suffolk.”

Michaela Doherty said:

“As a mother to four girls I’m passionate about nurturing children’s literacy. I am equally keen to support the local community through safe and meaningful meeting places. I’m proud to support Suffolk Libraries in providing these spaces in a warm, accessible and friendly environment - at the same time supporting a charity that works tirelessly to improve the wellbeing of others.”

Gina Long said:

“I have a strong belief that our libraries should be loved, nurtured and supported in the long-term, without the invaluable services that they offer being jeopardised. Libraries are the fundamental foundation of our community which helps literacy, wellbeing, the reduction of social isolation along with adding multiple other benefits people can enjoy.”

Bruce Leeke, Chief Executive of Suffolk Libraries added:

“We’re delighted to have our first ever patrons on board! Suffolk Libraries has many avid and passionate supporters across the county who can see the incredible difference we make in our communities and believe in what we do. It’s fantastic that such well-known local people have pledged to support and champion what we do as it can only help us to get the message out to even more people about the work we do.”

More about Emma Freud:

Emma is a seasoned interviewer, a reporter for BBC Radio 4 and won ‘Columnist of the Year’ award for her series of articles in the Telegraph on living in New York. For the last 25 years, she's worked with Richard Curtis as either script editor or co-producer of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Notting Hill, Love Actually and Yesterday.

More about Michaela Doherty:

Michaela and her husband Jimmy first set eyes on Pannington Hall Farm in 2002. Both in their early 20’s they dreamt of a full restoration, returning the totally derelict farm back to a fully working, thriving livestock farm with a focus on traditional farming methods.

In 2003, The Essex Pig Company was born. Creating a small onsite butchery and farm shop, Michaela and Jimmy began turning their forest-fledged, free-range pork into premium, rare-breed sausages and bacon. From humble beginnings it has now developed beyond their wildest dreams into a Wildlife Park, restaurant, wedding venue, flower and vegetable garden and a beautiful farm shop.

More about Gina Long:

Gina was awarded an MBE for services to the charity sector in December 2015. She was also made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Suffolk in October 2018. Among her many charitable achievements, she has raised nearly £7 million. Gina founded one of the first global online auctions, the Ultimate Charity Auction which has raised more than £2.1 million since its inception in 2011.

Gina recently worked alongside John and Imogen Sheeran on the Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction raising £506,000. This success funded the much-needed redevelopment of three playgrounds at the Thomas Wolsey Ormiston Academy in Ipswich. Zest, part of St Elizabeth Hospice also received funding for a specialist nursing team.

Gina mentors and supports other charities such as Sarcoma UK. She lives on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds with her husband Andrew, who is a farmer, and their ‘blended family’ of seven children.

To find out more about each of our new patrons you can visit our patron page here.