Apprentice reject hired to raise funds for the new Sick Kids

Published on Thursday 28 May 2009 09:43

HE was fired by Sir Alan Sugar after a string of toe-curling appearances.

But it looks like Belfast-born Apprentice star Ben Clarke is finally set to be hired – to help raise millions of pounds for Edinburgh's Sick Kids New Pyjamas campaign.

The braces-wearing trainee stockbrocker, who was educated at Merchiston Castle School and ridiculed for his frequent on-air boasts that he once won a scholarship to Sandhurst, has pledged to help raise millions of pounds.

The 22-year-old has been involved in talks with the organisers of the 15m Evening News-backed campaign to raise funds for the new hospital.

Although his appointment has not yet been officially confirmed, he has already spoken of reviving his infamous Mr Squawk outfit – the pirate parrot costume he donned during one of the show's challenges to launch a breakfast cereal – and possibly wearing it to entertain the sick children.

"I'm involved with the Edinburgh Sick Kids hospital helping with marketing," he told a women's magazine .

"If I got the chance to put the Captain Squawk costume on again, I'd be delighted to go down and cheer kids up."

Patricia Hess, head of media and PR for the New Pyjamas campaign, confirmed talks had been held with Clarke to see if he can join a growing list of "celebrities" signed up to help promote the 15m fundraising challenge. He is understood to have approached them.

"We have had initial discussions with Ben Clarke and we are waiting to hear from his publicist," she said. "He'd be someone we'd be delighted to have on board."

She said she did not see the recent episode of the show in which Clarke and his teammates attempted to raise the profile of English seaside town Margate through a marketing campaign, in which he was ridiculed.

However, that is not set to stand in the way of Clarke joining the likes of Jack McConnell, interior designer John Amabile and city businesswoman Eve Thompson to promote New Pyjamas.

"We have a lot of high-profile people coming on board," confirmed Ms Hess.

The New Pyjamas Campaign is a separate arm of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, created specifically to raise funds for the new hospital at Little France.

Merchiston Castle School headmaster Andrew Hunter said: "

Ben was quite outspoken but I've never been scared of that.

"He was a good games player and a fantastic piper. He became a prefect and he was one of our student leaders, so he's always displayed leadership qualities.

"