Blue Smile, a children’s mental health charity working across Cambridgeshire, has received an extremely generous gift from the estate of Dr Hassan Shakir-Khalil, who lived in Girton until his death in 2022. The gift in his Will was in memory of his wife Anna Shakir-Khalil, who died in 2009, as part of their shared commitment to making a difference for children in Cambridgeshire.
Their son, Karim Khalil KC, explains: “My father came from Egypt to Cambridge in the late 1950’s to complete a PhD in Engineering. Whilst in Cambridge, he met my mother, Anna (née Barker), who was brought up in Thriplow. My parents lived in Manchester for many years but returned to Cambridge when my father retired, partly because Cambridge held so many happy memories for them both.”
Dr and Mrs Shakir-Khalil’s gift will fund Blue Smile’s “Outreach service”, providing 1:1 arts-based therapy to children in primary schools across Cambridgeshire. Last year, the charity provided 1:1 support to 255 children aged 3-13, but they hope to expand this work in response to increasing demand.
Blue Smile’s Charity Director, Anne Kent-Taylor, said: “Sadly, we’re seeing more children than ever struggling with issues like anxiety, low mood, anger or low self-esteem and this is having a huge impact on them, their families and on schools, who often don’t have the training or resources to cope. But when children access prompt, specialist and accessible support, it can prevent problems escalating and minimize the impact on their education, wellbeing and future. We’re so grateful to Hassan and Anna Shakir-Khalil as their generosity means our therapists will be able to work with more children facing difficult times in their lives. The impact of their legacy gift will continue to be felt for years to come in the lives of these young people, who will be able to lead happier childhoods and build brighter futures.”
Founded in 2010 in Cambridge, Blue Smile works to provide arts-based therapy and specialist mental health support to children aged 3-13 in Cambridgeshire. The charity delivers its services in schools so that they are accessible to children regardless of family circumstances.
Find out more about children's mental health charity Blue Smile.
