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Traitors star becomes charity's newest ambassador

Neve Gordon-Farleigh
BBC News, Peterborough
BBC Alexander Dragonetti is standing in front of the backdrop of a castle. Half of it is in the day light and the other half is during the night. On the left side you can see an owl flying into view and a red flag with the BBC Traitors programme logo. Mr Dragonetti is standing looking directly into the camera and smiling. He is wearing a blue shirt and black jacket.BBC
Alexander Dragonetti shared on the reality show that if he won the money he would have donated some of it to Mencap

A finalist of The Traitors has teamed up with a learning disability charity to become its newest ambassador.

Alexander Dragonetti appeared on the third series of the show and said if he had won he would have donated some of the prize money to Mencap, after the charity helped his late brother.

Fans of the show have since helped raise £95,000 for the Peterborough-based charity, which Mr Dragonetti said was "nothing short of incredible".

He said: "People with a learning disability still face stigma and exclusion every day - I want to help Mencap increase visibility of learning disability and hope that in doing so we can promote acceptance and inclusion."

The charity announced the news on National Siblings Day on 10 April in a series of videos shared on social media.

Previously speaking to BBC Radio 4, Mr Dragonetti said he did not know whether or not to talk publicly about his brother, who had global development delay and autism.

He said: "I talked about a summer camp I used to attend. This was a place where he could shine. He could be himself, he'd have infinite attention, he could be silly and my parents could get a break.

"My brother was the most wonderful human being and I miss him so deeply. I also know how hard it can be for parents looking after children with special needs."

BBC / Studio Lambert The five finalists of the Traitors are standing and sitting in a library with blue walls and a wooden floor. They are all wearing formal evening wear. Alexander Dragonetti is pictured centre and he is wearing a suit with brown leather shoes and a pale shirt. He is standing at the back of the group with his arms crossed.BBC / Studio Lambert
Alexander Dragonetti (centre) made it to the final of the show but was eliminated before he could take the prize money home

The Traitors, which is filmed in the Scotland, sees contestants engage in challenges, "murders", roundtables and banishments to build up a prize pot of money.

He said: "It's remarkable how many people have experience or are impacted by learning disability. Hearing their stories has been humbling, and often surprisingly moving.

"I am also passionate about raising awareness, and am so excited to continue doing this. Being different isn't easy and I'm proud to play a role for an organisation that breaks down barriers and improves understanding."

Jon Sparkes, the chief executive at Mencap, said the charity was "thrilled" to welcome Mr Dragonetti to the "family".

"He has already done so much to raise awareness of our essential work by bravely sharing his family's story, and in doing so has opened people's minds about learning disability."

LISTEN: Traitors star supports Peterborough charity

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