On a rain-soaked evening in Manchester, where the wind howled and the streets glistened under flickering streetlights, Britain’s beloved TV duo, Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly, found themselves at the heart of a moment that would ripple far beyond the city’s borders. Known for their infectious laughter and seamless chemistry on shows like I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Britain’s Got Talent, the Geordie pair were in town for a promotional event. But what unfolded during a sudden storm would reveal a side of Ant and Dec that, while not surprising to those who know their generous spirits, would inspire thousands.
It was late November 2024, and Manchester was bracing for the tail end of a fierce storm, reminiscent of Storm Darragh, which had battered the region with amber weather warnings and flooding risks. The city, a vibrant hub of culture and resilience, was also a place of refuge for many displaced families fleeing conflict and hardship. Among them was a family of five—parents Amina and Hassan, and their three young children—who had arrived in the UK seeking safety after a perilous journey from Syria. On this particular night, they were caught unprepared, hurrying through the city center with only thin coats to shield them from the biting cold and relentless rain.
Ant and Dec, having just wrapped a meeting at a local studio, were making their way to their car when they noticed the family huddled under a bus stop’s meager shelter. The children’s teeth chattered, and Amina clutched her youngest, a girl no older than four, trying to keep her dry. Without hesitation, Ant peeled off his jacket and draped it over the shivering girl, while Dec offered his to Hassan, who was shielding his son with his own body. The gesture was simple, instinctive, and quintessentially human—a moment of kindness in a world that often feels divided.
But it was what happened next that turned this fleeting encounter into something extraordinary. The youngest child, her eyes wide with gratitude, whispered a soft “thank you” to Ant, her voice barely audible over the storm’s roar. That whisper, Ant later confided to a close friend, “hit me like a ton of bricks.” It was a reminder of the fragility of life and the power of small acts to make a difference. Dec, standing beside him, felt it too—a shared resolve to do more, not just for this family, but for the countless others like them.
A Secret Fund Takes Shape
Back at their hotel, as the storm raged outside, Ant and Dec sat down with their team to brainstorm. They were no strangers to philanthropy. For years, they had been patrons of Cash for Kids, a charity that supports disadvantaged children across the UK, including through initiatives like Mission Christmas, which ensures no child wakes up without a gift on Christmas Day. Their recent launch of a limited-edition T-shirt in Australia, with all profits going to the charity, had already raised significant funds. But this moment in Manchester called for something different—something urgent and targeted.
The duo decided to establish a secret fund, initially kept under wraps to avoid media frenzy and ensure the focus remained on the cause. They called it the “New Start Fund,” a nod to the fresh beginnings they hoped to provide. The fund’s mission was clear: to support refugee families in the UK with immediate needs like housing, clothing, and education, while also investing in long-term programs to help them rebuild their lives. Ant and Dec seeded the fund with a substantial personal donation, rumored to be in the six figures, and quietly reached out to trusted contacts in the entertainment and business worlds to contribute.
Manchester, with its strong community spirit and history of welcoming refugees, was the perfect place to pilot the initiative. The city had seen an influx of displaced families in recent years, particularly from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, as part of government resettlement schemes and community sponsorship programs. Local organizations, like the Manchester Refugee Support Network, were already doing vital work, but resources were stretched thin. The New Start Fund aimed to bridge that gap, working in partnership with grassroots charities to identify families in need.
The Ripple Effect
Within weeks, the fund began making an impact. Amina and Hassan’s family, the catalyst for it all, were among the first beneficiaries. They were relocated from temporary accommodation to a modest but warm flat in Salford, furnished with essentials and stocked with winter clothes for the children. The eldest child, 12-year-old Noor, was enrolled in a local school with additional tutoring to help her catch up on missed education. A caseworker from a partner charity noted the family’s transformation: “They went from surviving to thriving. It’s not just about money—it’s about giving them hope.”
The fund’s reach quickly expanded beyond Manchester. In Birmingham, a group of Afghan refugees received vocational training to enter the UK job market. In Glasgow, a Ukrainian mother and her two sons were given access to mental health support to cope with the trauma of war. Each story was a testament to the fund’s ethos: practical help, delivered with dignity, to empower families to stand on their own.
Ant and Dec, true to their down-to-earth nature, stayed out of the spotlight. They made unannounced visits to community centers, meeting families and volunteers, often with no cameras in sight. Dec, a father of two, was particularly moved by the children he met, many of whom reminded him of his own daughter, Isla. Ant, who welcomed his son Wilder in 2024, found himself reflecting on the privileges his family enjoyed and the responsibility to give back. “We’re just two blokes who got lucky,” he said during a private conversation with a charity worker. “If we can use that luck to help others, that’s what it’s all about.”
Going Public
By early 2025, whispers of the New Start Fund began to leak. Social media posts from grateful families and volunteers hinted at a mysterious benefactor—or benefactors—behind the life-changing support. When the story finally broke, it was met with an outpouring of admiration. Fans who had grown up watching Ant and Dec on Saturday Night Takeaway or cheering for their Newcastle United victories were unsurprised by their generosity but deeply moved by the scale of their commitment.
The duo eventually confirmed their involvement in a heartfelt video posted on their joint Instagram account. Standing in a Manchester community center, surrounded by children playing and parents chatting, they spoke directly to their audience. “We didn’t plan for this to be a big thing,” Dec said, his voice steady but emotional. “But that night in the storm, we saw what so many families are going through. We had to do something.” Ant added, “This isn’t about us—it’s about the families, the volunteers, and everyone who’s pitched in. Let’s keep it going.”
The public response was overwhelming. Donations poured in from fans, corporations, and even fellow celebrities, swelling the fund’s resources. A crowdfunding campaign, launched with Ant and Dec’s endorsement, raised enough to support an additional 500 families in its first month. The duo also announced plans to expand the fund’s scope, including scholarships for refugee youth and partnerships with businesses to create job opportunities.
A Legacy of Kindness
As the New Start Fund approaches its first anniversary, its impact is undeniable. Thousands of lives have been touched, from the family in Manchester who sparked it all to communities across the UK. Ant and Dec, while still juggling their TV careers and family life, remain hands-on, attending strategy meetings and advocating for refugee rights. Their work has also inspired broader conversations about compassion and community in a time of global uncertainty.
That stormy night in Manchester, when two TV stars shared their jackets with a shivering family, was more than a moment—it was a spark. It reminded the world that kindness, however small, can ignite change. For Ant and Dec, it’s a legacy they’re proud to build, one family at a time.
