Charities have paid tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of Childline and the Silver Line, who has died aged 86.
Veteran broadcaster Rantzen’s children announced her death yesterday, saying that her “legacy of compassion and understanding” would live on through the helpline services she founded.
“Mum’s work with charities and campaigning, particularly for children, older people, and the terminally ill, meant the world to her so thank you to everyone who has written to her, shared their stories with her over the years and worked alongside her,” they said.
“We hope the humour, ingenuity and audacity she brought to her work may continue to inspire you as it will do us.”
Rantzen set up Childline in 1986 and the service, now run by NSPCC, has provided more than six million children since then with counselling sessions and resources.
In a statement, NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood said: “All of us at the NSPCC and Childline are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Dame Esther Rantzen.
“Esther was a unique and truly remarkable woman who during her life did incredible things and went to exceptional lengths to ensure children and young people across the UK had somewhere to turn when they were in need of help and that their voice was heard.”
NSPCC, which took over Childline in 2006, has set up a page for people to leave a dedication and donation in Rantzen’s name.
Rantzen founded the Silver Line charity to offer a 24/7 support line for older people in 2012, following the death of her husband Desmond Wilcox, which merged into Age UK seven years later.
Paul Farmer, CEO at Age UK, said: Rantzen was a “true inspiration and spent her life working tirelessly to help others”.
“After founding the Silver Line Helpline in 2012, now part of Age UK, she has helped to support thousands of lonely older people, making sure they have someone to talk to whenever they might need it,” he said.
“Her dedication and commitment to older people is unrivalled and her legacy will carry on through the Silver Line Helpline’s work. We can never thank her enough.”
More recently, Rantzen became a vocal advocate for assisted dying and played a key role in bringing about parliamentary discussions over its potential legalisation.
In recognition of her achievements, Rantzen was honoured with the Daniel Phelan Award for Outstanding Achievement at last year’s Charity Awards.
Accepting the honour on Rantzen’s behalf, her daughter Rebecca Wilcox said: “Like everyone in the charity sector, she has always been inspired by the desire to make a positive difference and has been rewarded with wonderful friendships. And for those working alongside her, she misses you.
“For her, the magic moment happens when someone, unprompted, talks about the difference that Childline or the Silver Line or another of her charity interests has made; the difference it has made to their life.”
Cathy Phelan-Watkins, director of Civil Society Media and wife of the late Daniel Phelan, creator of the Charity Awards, said today: “What a truly inspirational woman – I am so glad we managed to celebrate her many achievements at the Charity Awards last year.
“Her focus on child abuse in particular was powerful and pioneering.”
