Famous Dorset author becomes patron of children's charity

Acclaimed espionage author John le Carré, best known for his novels Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, has become a patron of Julia’s House, the Dorset and Wiltshire children’s hospice charity. The author was invited to join the charity’s board of patrons after he attended the Julia’s House Carols by Candlelight service in Shaftesbury at Christmas.

Julia’s House provides vital care to the families of children with life-limiting conditions. The support it provides is completely flexible and tailored to families’ individual needs, with nurses and carers delivering respite care in the family home or enabling the children they support to enjoy everyday activities out in the community. Regular sessions are also held at the charity’s hospices in Corfe Mullen and Devizes. Born in Poole and educated at Sherborne School, John le Carré taught French and German at Eton after attending the University of Bern and Lincoln College, Oxford. He served briefly in British Intelligence during the Cold War, and it was during this time that he wrote his first novel, Call For The Dead. Le Carré’s twenty-six books have been published in over 50 countries and 40 languages and continue to be loved by audiences around the world. The author said: “Julia’s House has a rare and special claim on me that I find hard to describe – perhaps it is to do with having been so lucky in our own family, with one or two minor exceptions when compared to the brave, sad misfortunes that Julia’s House confronts daily. I am very honoured to be asked to become a patron of the charity.”

Martin Edwards, Chief Executive of Julia’s House, said: “We are absolutely delighted that John has accepted our invitation and we look forward to working with him again very soonOur Patrons play a hugely valuable role in sharing the work of Julia’s House and the life-changing difference we make to local families every day.”