CHART-TOPPING singers Kylie Minogue and Sir Tom Jones penned their thoughts about families on postcards to raise funds for an Oxford charity.

Comedian Alexander Armstrong supported the sale of about 100 postcards at Oxford Story Museum, which feature musings from different celebrities.

The co-star of Armstrong & Miller, and host of BBC game show Pointless, revealed that the postcards had been signed by guests who had appeared on the celebrity edition of the show.

The sale was held on Thursday to raise funds for Blackbird Leys-based charity Family Links, of which Mr Armstrong and his wife Hannah are patrons.

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Family Links supports parents and teachers by training them to promote positive principles in children, such as self-esteem, discipline and empathy.

Mr Armstrong, who lives in Oxford, said they had chosen the theme ‘What does family mean to you?’ because it is the 20th anniversary of the United Nations’ International Year of the Family.

He added: “We had been going around lots of schools, getting every child to draw a postcard and we were going to do an exhibition.

“But then I had a brainwave – we realised we could ask every person who appeared on Pointless Celebrities to write something on the cards about family too.

“Everyone was really brilliant about it and the number of people who chipped in is really quite unbelievable. There were some really quite poignant ones, even quite heartbreaking.”

Writers of the postcards – which ranged from short notes to doodles – also included comedian David Mitchell, as well as Mr Armstrong himself.

He added: “At the moment, to me, family means we are about to have another baby, a fourth son, so it’s an expanding commitment. But it’s also why I do everything.”

Mr Armstrong also revealed he moved to North Oxford in September.

“You have to get used to the bells chiming, and people here are so lovely and friendly.

“You get used to London but then you are walking your dog in Port Meadow and you make enough friends for a dinner party.”

As well as celebrities’ cards, at the exhibition there were also postcards sent in by 700 schoolchildren from Orchard Meadow Primary School, Windale Primary School and Pegasus Primary School, in Blackbird Leys, and The Dragon School.

Some of the best entries were put on display as part of the exhibition at the Story Museum.

In a speech to visitors, Family Links chief executive Annette Mountford said: “The Story Museum was an inspirational place to host our exhibition and Alexander has been a wonderful patron.

“He was the one who drew in all these amazing contacts and we are very grateful to him.”

The charity said so far seven postcards had been sold, for a total of £1,600.

They included those signed by Mr and Mrs Armstrong, Sir Tom Jones and Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron.

The rest will be auctioned on online auction site, eBay.



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