Winston’s Wish, the leading childhood bereavement charity in the UK, is eagerly anticipating the Discovery Channel’s Churchill and Me this Friday (15th May) at 9pm.

The charity features on the special programme, hosted by Hugh Dennis, which marks the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s death and 70 years since VE day.

Exploring the legacy left behind by Churchill, Dennis discovers what he means to people today.

Winston’s Wish was established after founder, clinical psychologist Julie Stokes OBE, visited the USA and Canada on a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship. Inspired by the services she saw there, she returned to the UK and set up Winston’s Wish in 1992.

‘Churchill’ quickly metamorphosed into ‘Winston’ – a bear – who became the charity’s mascot. Winston’s Wish say it is Winston’s ‘wish’ that every bereaved child should receive the help they need to cope with the death of someone important in their lives. Over 20 years later, the charity supports more than 30,000 bereaved children and young people each year.

Earlier this year, the comedian, author and presenter visited the charity’s office in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, to meet Julie, Winston’s Wish beneficiaries and staff.

Dennis explored the work of the charity in supporting bereaved children and their families after the death of mum, dad or a sibling.

Susie Gallagher, Communications Manager at Winston’s Wish, added:

“Winston’s Wish is so thankful for our links to Churchill and we are proud to be a part of his legacy. It was really exciting to have Hugh visit our Cheltenham base; he showed a keen interest in our work, and we’re all looking forward to tuning in on Friday”.

The programme begins with Hugh’s own recollections of Churchill’s funeral, as a young boy watching the flypast from the garden of his father’s vicarage, and goes on to describe growing awareness of the influence and personal style of an Englishman who dominated the 20th Century political and cultural landscape like no other.

Churchill and Me airs on Friday for 60 minutes.