Nick Owen in conversation in with Sir Michael Parkinson

Sir Michael Parkinson, one of Britain’s most loved broadcasters, topped the bill at the Botanical Gardens,Birmingham, to help raise money for the Journalists’ Charity.

As special guest at the charity’s annual fund-raising lunch in the Midlands, Sir Michael spoke of his favourite (and some more uncomfortable) encounters with the world’s most famous people.

He held an audience of 300 people spellbound as he and Nick Owen of BBC Midlands Today explored a career in journalism that began 60 years ago.  Sir Michael’s only regret, he recalled, was that he never managed to secure an interview with Katherine Hepburn, one of his all-time favourite actresses.

The lunch, sponsored by top Midlands business entrepreneur Eamon Gaughan’s JEEG Global Group, has raised just over £15,000 for the charity.

Sir Doug Ellis OBE
Sir Michael Parkinson CBE.
Stuart Lawton, The Torque Project (Main sponsor)

“All charities are finding it difficult to raise funds at the moment,” said Midlands chairman Laurie Upshon, “And with recent headlines making uncomfortable reading for our trade, we have found it even more difficult.”

“But we have been given a massive boost. Sir Michael had the audience enthralled and we knew we would have a sell out from the moment he agreed to be our celebrity speaker.”

Gerry Armes, Honorary President, Journalist Charity, West Midlands District.
Sir Doug Ellis OBE, life vice president
Julie Bailey, Emirates, sponsor.
Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE guest speaker.
Bill Hagerty, Chairman Journalists Charity.
Laurie Upshon, Chairman, Journalist Charity (Midlands)