A TV presenter will be holding an exclusive event to fundraise for a special needs school that his son attends.
MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace is set to appear at The Queens Head in Sutton Valence alongside Hunted’s Marc Cananur.
The former greengrocer, who now lives in Biddenden, near Tenterden, is best known for presenting and judging alongside John Torode on BBC’s MasterChef.
Over the years, Gregg has been a part of several series including Saturday Kitchen, Eat Well for Less and Inside the Factory.
The TV personality was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2022 for outstanding services to Food, Broadcasting and Charity.
Next Friday (June 7), the 59-year-old will be at The Queens Head for a fundraising event.
It has been organised by Five Acre Wood, a specialist school that looks after 850 children who have complex learning difficulties.
Gregg’s five-year-old son, Sid, was diagnosed with autism in 2022 and is non-verbal.
In an interview with The Sun, the dad says they were “very fortunate” to enrol him at the school.
“He skips in every day and comes out filthy every afternoon,” Gregg said. “He’s very happy.
“He’s non-verbal and in nappies still, but communication is improving.
“There’s lots of eye contact and smiles, and a cuddle is Sid’s default position.
“He’s spending more time interacting with toys and with us, so we are optimistic.”
At the event, there will be a Q&A session with Gregg who will share insightful anecdotes and culinary tips.
Guests can take pictures and have their cookbooks signed for a £1 donation.
Fundraiser Hannah Juden said: “Gregg has always been very supportive and came to me asking if we could do a fundraising event.
“We discussed several ideas and decided we had never done something like this before.
“Instead of being held at the school, it is open to all. We hope to reach more people this way and connect with the community.”
“We are blown away by his support and are super grateful. It does mean a lot to us and our pupils.”
She added: “He is very down to earth, approachable and his support really shines through.
“Gregg is such a lovely guy and we are excited to be working with him.
“We are blown away by his support and are super grateful. It does mean a lot to us and our pupils.”
The event will also be hosted by Detective Sergeant Marc Cananur, who starred in Channel 4’s gripping reality series Hunted as a fugitive hunter.
He also took part in the Four Peaks Challenge alongside parents and staff in April.
All of the money raised from the event will go towards the renovation of the school’s double-decker bus into a specialist soft play space.
Nu-Venture owner Norman Kemp donated the vehicle last November.
Principal Peggy Murphy added: “We are very much looking forward to the evening.
“Huge thanks to Gregg and Marc for generously giving their time to support the fundraising efforts of the school.
“We look forward to welcoming our local and wider community on the evening.”
Tickets are £12.50 per person. Click here for more information.
The event is between 7pm and 9.30pm, but the organisers say guests are welcome anytime from 6.30pm.
