Charity Support

Quentin is a long-standing supporter of numerous charities, some of which work to promote understanding and engagement in art and literacy, as well as organisations which support threatened peoples and animals across the globe. Here are details of some of the good causes which Quentin supports:

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration

Formerly known as House of Illustration, this is the UK's only centre dedicated to illustration. It organises exhibitions, talks and events; and in 2026 plans to re-open at New River Head in Islington as 'The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration'.

Visit charity's website

Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity

Quentin Blake is President of Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity. It began as the Roald Dahl Foundation in 1991, and was set up to help children and young people with serious, rare blood or brain conditions. The Charity funds a team of specialist 'Roald Dahl' nurses, providing vital support and care in these areas thoughout the UK.

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Farms for City Children

Farms for City Children aims to enrich the lives and develop the potential of children from urban areas by giving them the opportunity to become farmers for a week on a working farm in the heart of the countryside. The Charity was founded by Clare and Michael Morpurgo over forty years ago and now, on three different farms, provides this experience for over 3,000 children a year.

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Survival International

Quentin is a long-standing supporter and Ambassador for Survival International, which seeks to give a voice to threatened tribes and peoples across the globe.

Visit charity's website

Quentin is also a patron of:

South Ken Kids Festival

South Ken Kids Festival promotes the best of children’s literature and fosters exchanges between authors and illustrators from both sides of the Channel in its annual week of events in South Kensington, London.

https://southkenkidsfestival.co.uk/

The Owls Trust

The Owls Trust rescues owls and birds of prey in North Wales and the North West of England, providing sanctuaries to rescued birds and an education programme which provides outreach to schools.

https://theowlstrust.org/

Hastings Contemporary

Independent gallery established as a charity displaying the excellence of British art, contributing to the artistic and economic development of Hastings. Quentin Blake is the gallery's first Artist Patron.

http://www.hastingscontemporary.org/

Hastings Storytelling Festival

Opening the wonderful world of storytelling to everyone, providing events, performances and a schools programme in the annual November festival in Hastings, East Sussex.

http://hastingsstoryfest.org.uk/

Eastside Educational Trust

Eastside’s mission is to develop the creative thinking of children and young people across London through direct participation in the arts, culture and creative programmes.

http://www.eastside.org.uk/

The Big Draw

Working to widen understanding of drawing’s value as a tool for learning at all ages, creating opportunities for artists, and increasing schools’ engagement with drawing.

http://thebigdraw.org/

The Book Bus

The Book Bus works to improve literacy in Zambia, Malawi and Ecuador by providing books, storytelling materials and libraries for children and teachers.

http://thebookbus.org/

Association of Illustrators

The AOI champions illustrators with education, promotion and campaigning to achieve a thriving industry for us all.

https://theaoi.com/

Everybody Arts, Halifax

Art School, Gallery and Artist Studios providing opportunity and engagement with art for all ages and abilities.

https://www.everybodyarts.org.uk/

Action for Children's Arts

Campaigning for children’s right to the arts, connecting children’s arts practitioners and celebrating children’s arts in the UK.

http://www.childrensarts.org.uk/

The Kids Network

The Kids Network is a community of children and young professionals connecting through fun, friendship and hardship for positive social change.

https://thekidsnetwork.org.uk/