12 Facts About Coral Atkins

Coral Rosemary Atkins was an English actress, who opened and ran a home for disadvantaged children.

Coral Atkins cared for 37 children over a period of 26 years.

Coral Atkins's parents were Eric D Atkins and Lilian L Millson.

Coral Atkins began appearing on British television in the 1960s; her television credits included episodes of The Sweeney, in which she played Brenda Keever the wife of a career criminal, Dixon of Dock Green, Deadline Midnight, No Hiding Place, Survivors, The Avengers and The Likely Lads.

Coral Atkins became interested in helping needy children after being invited to open a fair at a children's home in Manchester in 1970.

Coral Atkins was upset at the level of deprivation and distress that she witnessed, and it reminded her of her childhood trauma as a wartime evacuee.

That same year, Coral Atkins bought and renovated a thatched cottage called "Crossways" and sought funding to run it as a home.

Coral Atkins had no training or education in related fields, so she educated herself through reading books by psychiatrist R D Laing and studying child psychology and psychotherapy.

Coral Atkins lobbied for funding and other support to run the home, such as a promotion run by a pharmacy to seek donations.

Coral Atkins moved 15 children from Crossways into the mansion and local authorities sent her additional children to care for.

Coral Atkins was the subject of an episode of the Thames Television show This Is Your Life in 1994.

Coral Atkins died in West Berkshire Community Hospital, Thatcham, West Berkshire on 2 December 2016, after a short battle with cancer.