‘Who was Paul Newman?” asks the journalist next to me as I dip my chips into a selection of Newman’s Own sauces and splash Newman’s Own dressing on my salad. I squint suspiciously at her, is this a joke? Not seen Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid then? How about The Color of Money? I turn back to my fried chicken, millennials eh, what do they know?

Well Harry Hill has heard of the blue-eyed boy. The big collared comedian is a fan of the actor’s work and of the actor’s charity, which is why we are gathered around Harry in the basement of Jackson & Rye  to launch Newman’s Own Foundation. 2016 charity campaign. The campaign is looking for UK charities that empower children to apply for funding to get a share of £150,000.

Newman was genuinely a big fan of salad dressing and used to make his own when visiting restaurants – when you’re a big movie star you can pretty much do what you want –  and also made batches at home which he was soon handing out to family and friends and the business started..

Today the salad dressings are best sellers around the world with 100% of the after-tax profits of Newman’s Own Foundation going to charity. Thousands of charities around the world have benefited from the venture – to date, Paul Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation have given over US $400 million to charities worldwide, including millions going to charities in the UK.

And the dressing is still the same formula, although lots more things have been added to the range with All Natural BBQ Sauces, Marinades, rubs and more. And you know, they really are very good indeed, even if some people don’t know who the actor was who made them.

Applications are now open and charities that meet the criteria may submit their contact information now via the expression of interest form available on www.newmansown.co.uk on or before the 5th September, 2016. Selected organisations will be contacted to receive a full application for funding from Newman’s Own Foundation.  Additional charity requirements may be found at newmansownfoundation.org/what-we-support/funding-guidelines/. Grantees will be announced on 21st November 2016.

To find out more visit www.newmansown.co.uk