Without publicity or press, Ant & Dec started covering school fees, rent, and counseling for 12 teenagers in the foster system. But at a high school graduation in Liverpool, one of those teens pulled out a crumpled speech — and what he said about “two strangers who became my family” made even the headteacher cry…👇🎓💬
The Quiet Gift of Family
In the vibrant pulse of the UK’s television world, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly—Ant & Dec—were more than just entertainers. At 49, their Geordie charm and genuine warmth had made them national treasures, but their hearts were anchored in the struggles of their Newcastle roots. In early 2025, while the duo was filming Britain’s Got Talent, a chance meeting with a social worker at a charity event changed everything. She spoke of teenagers in the foster system—kids shuffled between homes, facing uncertain futures without stable support. The story resonated with Ant and Dec, who’d grown up knowing the value of a tight-knit family. Without a whisper to the press, they launched a secret mission to transform the lives of 12 foster teens, but it was one teen’s speech at a Liverpool high school graduation that left an entire auditorium in tears.
Ant and Dec worked through their foundation, “Ant & Dec’s Community Fund,” identifying 12 teenagers across the UK, aged 15 to 18, in foster care with dreams but no means. They quietly covered their school fees, rent for stable housing, and counseling sessions to help them heal from past traumas. The total cost: £360,000, funded personally by the duo. They coordinated with social workers to ensure each teen had a tailored plan—tutors for exams, therapy for emotional scars, and safe flats to call home. They kept their identities hidden, instructing social workers to present the support as a “community grant” to avoid any spotlight. Their only request was that the teens be encouraged to chase their goals, no matter how big.
Among the 12 was Jamal Carter, a 17-year-old in Liverpool who’d spent a decade in foster care after losing his parents to addiction. Jamal was a gifted writer, scribbling poetry in notebooks, but he’d nearly dropped out of school, overwhelmed by instability. With Ant and Dec’s support, he moved into a small flat, attended counseling, and had his sixth-form fees paid, allowing him to focus on his studies. His social worker, unaware of the duo’s involvement, told him the grant came from “kind strangers.” Jamal clung to that phrase, pouring his gratitude into his writing.
By May 2025, Jamal was set to graduate from his Liverpool high school, a milestone he’d once thought impossible. At the ceremony, he was chosen to give a speech as the student who’d overcome the most. In front of a packed auditorium, he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, his hands shaking. “I was a kid with no home, no hope,” he began, his voice steadying. “But two strangers became my family. They paid for my school, my flat, my therapy—gave me a chance to be someone. I don’t know their names, but they’re my heroes.” He paused, choking up. “To those strangers, I say: you didn’t just save me. You made me believe I’m worth saving.” The room fell silent, then erupted in applause, the headteacher wiping tears as Jamal’s words sank in.
Unbeknownst to Jamal, Ant and Dec were in the back of the auditorium, having slipped in quietly to support him. They’d read his file, knew his story, and wanted to see him shine. When Jamal mentioned “two strangers,” Ant squeezed Dec’s arm, both fighting back tears. The moment broke open when a classmate, recognizing the duo, posted a photo on X, captioning it: “Ant & Dec were at our graduation, and Jamal’s speech was about THEM.” The post went viral, with #StrangersWhoCared trending as the story unraveled. X users shared, “They helped 12 foster kids in secret? That’s love,” and “Jamal’s speech broke me.”
Reporters, stunned by the duo’s secrecy, confirmed the £360,000 gift through social workers. At a Saturday Night Takeaway press event, Dec, usually quick with a joke, spoke softly. “Those kids, like Jamal, are the real stars,” he said. Ant added, “We just wanted them to have a fair shot. His speech? That’s worth more than anything.” The 12 teens thrived: one started university, another landed an apprenticeship, and Jamal won a local poetry contest, his work published online. Social workers reported the teens’ confidence soaring, their futures brighter.
The Liverpool community rallied, inspired by Jamal’s story. Locals donated to foster programs, and schools launched mentorship schemes. Ant and Dec’s foundation expanded its foster care fund, raising £150,000 in public donations. They visited Jamal’s flat discreetly, reading his poetry and joking over tea, always keeping it low-key. Jamal sent them a framed poem titled “Strangers,” with a note: “You’re my family now.” They kept it in their office, next to a photo of his graduation.
The ripple effect grew. Foster agencies across the UK adopted “stability grants,” inspired by Ant and Dec’s model. Jamal’s speech, shared widely, sparked conversations about foster care reform. At their next Britain’s Got Talent taping, Ant and Dec wore wristbands with a tiny “J” in silver, a nod to Jamal. The audience cheered, knowing the story. Somewhere in Liverpool, a teen wrote a new poem, his heart full, proof that two strangers could become family with one quiet act of care.