TV secret millionaire, Lyn Cecil, boosts charities where volunteers ‘glow’
Recruitment boss’s praise for groups after spending a week undercover for Channel 4 show
Published: 13th May, 2011
by ANDREW JOHNSON
THREE Islington charities are tens of thousands of pounds better off thanks to Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire programme.
Lyn Cecil, who lives just a few miles away in Primrose Hill, was the mystery benefactor on the show, which will be screened next week.
The recruitment boss – who had to remake her fortune from scratch after an accountant made off with up to £1million nine years ago – went undercover to visit a theatre company, a charity for the elderly and an advice centre for disabled children, adults and their carers.
Lyn, 63, told the Tribune how leaving the comfort of her Primrose Hill residence for the down-at-heel accommodation during her week undercover in Islington wasn’t an inconvenience once she met the people who devote their lives to helping others.
“They took me just 3.6 miles away to the Seven Sisters Road,” she said of the filming which took place in October. “The number was chalked on the door and it was above a closed restaurant.
“You know it’s going to be tough, moving out of your normal happy bubble – most of us are in a bubble.
“I was lucky in that I wasn’t in a prison like one of the other millionaires, it was just London. But not the London I knew.
“But the one shower in four days, and using a beaten up kettle for hot water becomes an irrelevance once you start to meet the people who run these charities everyday. They are special people, and it sounds like a cliché, but they have a glow about them. You see saints with a halo and it’s like that. Unhappy people are the ones who only think about themselves.”
One of those “glowing” people is Jean Wilson. She works for Centre 404 in Camden Road, Holloway, which was founded 50 years ago by the parents of children with learning disabilities. Jean, who thought Lyn was a new volunteer, was described as “very gutsy” by the millionaire, who added: “She used to run her own business but because of her children she does voluntary work. She’s a very gutsy, bossy lady. We clicked.”
The charity found itself several thousand pounds better off thanks to Lyn.
“I could not believe I was conned,” said Jean. “It touched my heart to think that for once someone was thinking about family carers.”
Another organisation to benefit was the Islington Community Theatre in North Road, which is run by artistic director Ned Glasier. The charity is for children who would normally struggle to afford drama classes.
“Ned looked after 150 kids, and he knew something about all of them,” said Lyn.
And the Callie Lunch Club in Caledonian Road, which serves hot meals for the over-50s, also received a windfall. For some it is the only time they see anyone else all week. The club is run by Derek Marjoram, 59, who stepped up to take the reins two years ago when it was threatened with closure.
“The lunch club was a great crowd of people,” said Lyn. “Derek is a really interesting character. He was on the streets for 20 years.
“He’s very gutsy and does a lot for others.”
Explaining her reasons for choosing the three charities, Lyn added: “It was their desire to help.
“These people have a glow. There’s a special energy, warmth and unselfishness. The experience does change you. I’ve seen them all a few times since filming the programme and we still email.”
• The Secret Millionaire will be shown on Channel 4 on Tuesday May 17 at 9pm.