Click here for The Ken-Friends Birthday Projects 1997-2006 Birthday Fundraising Project 2007 In 2007 the Ken-Friends marked the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Renaissance Theatre Company with their annual fundraising project. The design and production of a tote bag allowed us to send $3,200 US to Project Shakespeare. Here is Kenneth Branagh's thank-you note: "Calling all Ken-Friends! It was particularly touching this year to have all the individual birthday cards from so many of you. The display in my house has been the envy of all my friends. They like me, express astonishment at the extent of the kindess, the immensity of the sums raised over the years, and the enthusiasm of this remarkable group. I am so glad that this year I have had the chance to repay a little of this remarkable support with three films of which I'm very proud. Let me add too, that in the rough and tumble of critical reaction, the immediate support of the Ken Friends to at least be part of an early audience and make up their own minds, has been invaluable. So thank-you at the start of my 48th year for the magnificent sum you have contributed to Project Shakespeare, and for the excellent Tote Bag, which brought back so many happy memories for me. Next year I will perhaps see some of your faces in the darkness of the theatre for Ivanov. I can also promise you a major television project as an actor. Needless to say, other adventures may emerge. I hope you enjoy them all. Meantime thank-you again for the most wonderful birthday treat - the enthusiasm (and hard-earned cash) of some great folk, who I am proud and delighted to call my (Ken) Friends. Have a happy and peaceful holiday season. And once again. And again. And again. THANK-YOU. Ken Branagh" Since 1998 the Ken-Friends have have donated a grand total of $47,602 to Kenneth Branagh's charities/organizations. Not a bad accomplishment for our small "band of brothers". The Ken-Friends Birthday Projects 1997-2006 In 1997 the Ken-Friends mailing list sent Kenneth Branagh an album made up of postcards members had sent from their locations all over the world. This was the genesis for an expanded project the following year which saw the production of a Ken-Friends t-shirt and an associated fundraising effort. The money raised was donated to the Ulster Association of Youth Drama, an an organisation Kenneth has supported over a number of years, and the project coordinator, Jude Tessel, had the privilege of giving Kenneth his present in person. Read all about it and see the photos. In 1999 a new t-shirt, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the release of Henry V, was designed and produced. Get details and read Kenneth's thank-you here. In 2000 a pin, conceived in part to allow Ken-Friends who had never physically met to recognise each other (an alternative to "I'll be standing in front of the main doors holding a copy of Beginning"), was designed and produced. Get details and read Kenneth's thank-you here. The total donated to UAYD to date is US $17,849 and the donation to RADA to date is US$2,518, making a grand total of US $20,367 since 1998. In 2001 the Ken-Friends designed and produced a keychain ("t'is in my memory locked") which, along with a series of auctions of Branagh-related items held within the Ken-Friends .mailing list. helped to raise funds for our chosen charity. The amount raised this year was US $4,601, which constituted a donation to UAYD of £3,197.77. Get details and read Kenneth's thank-you here. In 2002 Kenneth Branagh's long-awaited return to the stage and the good times of the Ken-Friends Big Day Out in Sheffield in March 2002 were captured in the mug produced for the birthday fundraiser. Through this and other fundraising events a total of US $7,701 was raised and donated to UAYD, RADA and the Over the Wall Gang. Read details here. In 2003 the Ken-Friends combined their annual birthday fundraising effort with a nod to The Play What I Wrote, with a handsome themed t-shirt. The generosity of participants allowed the Ken-Friends to send $3,520 US or £2,086 GBP to Ulster Association of Youth Drama for the 2004 Ken-Friends bursaries. Get details, see the shirt and read Kenneth's thank-you here. In 2004 the fifteenth anniversary of the release of Kenneth Branagh's stunning film Henry V was celebrated by the Ken-Friends in their annual birthday fundraising effort with a commemorative mug. The generosity of participants allowed the Ken-Friends to send $4,602 US or £2,480 GBP to Ulster Association of Youth Drama for the 2005 Ken-Friends bursaries. See the mug, get details and read Kenneth's thank-you here. In 2005 the Ken-Friends marked the tenth anniversary of the release of the delightful Kenneth Branagh film In the Bleak Midwinter/A Midwinter's Tale by producing a "Midwinter" ornament for their annual birthday fundraising effort. The generosity of participants allowed the Ken-Friends to send $3,209 US or £1,826 GBP to the Ulster Association of Youth Drama for the 2006 Ken-Friends bursaries. See the ornament, get details and read Kenneth's thank-you here. In 2006 the Ken-Friends fundraising activity paid hommage to the 10th anniversary of the release of Kenneth Branagh's film Hamlet. The design and production of a bookmark allowed us to send $3,275 US to Project Shakespeare, to take a group of Catholic and Protestant children from Northern Ireland to Stratford. See the bookmark, get details and read Kenneth's thank-you here.

Kenneth dispenses pearls of wisdom to a Renaissance Award winner

Kenneth recieves pearls of wisdom from a Renaissance Award winner Ohmigosh! The now-famous Susan Lynch!