Toby Anstis becomes charity ambassador

The Heart network’s mid-morning presenter has been appointed as the first official ambassador of the station’s Have a Heart charity.

Toby Anstis will work to help raise awareness and create publicity for the project and also acts as a role model for the thousands of children and families it supports each year.

Have a Heart has raised over £750,000 in the two years it has been running and aims to improve the lives of children living in communities where Heart broadcasts. For 2012 the appeal is supporting the work of ChildLine as it marks its 25th anniversary.

Heart owners Global Radio tell us that Toby has been a passionate and dedicated supporter of Have a Heart and has visited numerous hospitals and hospices in his spare time to see first-hand how the money raised by Heart listeners is making a real difference to the lives of children across the country. He also led a team of cyclists on a 100km night-time bike ride from London to Brighton and has been one of the main anchors for the Have a Heart on-air appeals.

Dalton Leong, Managing Director of Have a Heart said: “I am delighted that Toby has accepted the invitation to become our first Ambassador as we focus efforts on exciting times ahead, partnering with ChildLine. He already demonstrates his commitment to making a positive difference to the children and young people we support and I sincerely hope that his high profile will help increase awareness and much-needed funds for our charitable work.’

Toby told us: “To become Have a Heart’s first official Ambassador is a real honour. It’s been a privilege to meet some of the kids and families we support and see first-hand the life-changing work funded by Have a Heart – all made possible by the amazing generosity of our listeners. I’m thrilled that we’re supporting ChildLine over the next year as we look to help thousands more children across the UK.”