Brian Blessed backs wildlife campaign launched in memory of Olivia-Violet
A giant of stage and screen has backed a campaign set up in memory of a schoolgirl killed by a drink driver.
Brian Blessed, star of Hollywood films including Flash Gordon and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves as well as numerous Royal Shakespeare Company productions, was on stage with his one man show at Theatre Severn on Wednesday night.
After his performance he went outside to meet his fans and among them were Tracey Morgan and Joanna Reeves, mother of Olivia-Violet Reeves, the 11-year-old who was killed in June when she was struck by a 4x4 driven by Shrewsbury pensioner Roger Goodall.
A keen environmentalist, Olivia-Violet wanted to be a marine biologist when she grew up.
She would have celebrated her 12th birthday this month and to coincide with this her friends and family set up the #helplivhelp social media campaign asking people to help change the planet.
During his performance in front of a sell out crowd, Brian spoke of his work with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a charity which Olivia-Violet had raised money for.
Tracey said: "He was fantastic and has been a hero of Joanna's and mine since the 1980s when we were growing up.
"After the show we approached him and told him all about Liv and what she wanted to do. He listened intently and I think it was the first time he shut up all evening. He seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say when we told him about what had happened and why we had set up #helplivhelp.
"It was just so nice to speak to him. He was so chuffed to hear about how we had been raising money for the WWF. He does a lot for them and he was more than happy to pose with a sign about the social media campaign we have launched.
"It was astounding to think he is in his 80s. He has achieved so much and he has made a difference in this world. Joanna was very touched that he would take the time to listen to us. Liv would have been over the moon to think he had heard about her and that he was behind us. I am going to get in touch with his agent as soon as I can and hopefully he will be able to help us from here on in."
Goodall, who had been drinking from a bottle of wine while in his car, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Last month Olivia-Violet's family learned they could not appeal the sentence.
