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Celebrity Ambassadors
Scope is proud to work with a group of high-profile disabled supporters and non-disabled allies. Our Celebrity Ambassadors share our vision of an equal future for disabled people.
They are passionate about our ambition to end disability inequality and create greater opportunities for disabled people. They support us in a variety of ways to raise awareness of our campaigns, promote our services and help raise money for our work.
Alex Brooker
TV presenter, journalist and comedian
Alex Brooker is co-presenter of the Royal Television Society award-winning comedy show The Last Leg. He has mentored young disabled people at Scope’s employment service, giving valuable advice about the importance of having confidence as a disabled person. He was the star of our End the Awkward awareness campaign and visited our helpline for his BBC2 Documentary Disability and Me.
Alex BrookerDon’t be afraid of your disability. That’s who you are. It’s who I am. My hands are part of me - I can’t go into an interview with a pair of mittens on hoping they don’t notice! Be confident. You’ve got something that no one else has, I promise you
Ben Elton
Comedy writer and performer
Ben Elton’s multi-award-winning career as both performer and writer includes some memorable and intelligent comedy. He has written and co-written TV hits like:
- Blackadder
- The Thin Blue Line
- Upstart Crow
As well as musicals, like We Will Rock You and, most recently, Close-Up.
He has also written 16 major best sellers, including Gridlock (1990). A comic adventure with disabled leading characters. One who has cerebral palsy and the other paraplegia.
Ben has supported us for over 30 years, through:
- our name change
- an equal right’s petition
- our Scope Disability Equality Awards
- many fundraising events
Ben EltonI’m honoured to be an ambassador for Scope – representation and equality for all is so important and we all need to be working towards an equal future for disabled people
Lee Ridley
Lee Ridley is a stand-up comedian, and the first to use a communication device live on stage.
Performing as ‘Lost Voice Guy’, Lee won Britain’s Got Talent in 2018. He also won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014.
He has performed all over the UK and appeared on Live at the Apollo and The Royal Variety Performance amongst others. He has also starred in and co-written the BBC Radio 4 series Ability.
Lee has supported our Scope Disability Equality Awards as a judge and hosted our Volunteers Awards
Lee RidleyIt’s an honour to be an ambassador for such a great charity. It has helped me and so many other disabled people over the years, so I hope to be able to give something back.
Nicolas Hamilton
Racing driver, European Touring Car Cup
Nicolas Hamilton is a racing driver and campaigner. He has established himself as a potential future champion in a notoriously competitive and tough sport.
As well as racing, Nicolas is focused on sharing his inspirational story and his belief that your ambition is limited only by your attitude.
Nicolas has supported Scope’s employment work and Scope Disability Equality Awards as a judge and presenter.
Nicolas HamiltonI hope that in my role as Ambassador I can inspire all young people out there to never give up and exceed expectations. Some days are tougher than others, but you have to keep that determination to push yourself onto the next challenge.
Richard Herring
Award-winning comedian, writer, author and broadcaster
Richard Herring Comedian Richard Herring has a string of successful stand-up tours and writing credits to his name, and a prolific online presence including his pioneering comedy podcasts. He has supported Scope’s campaigns, ran the London Marathon for us and hosted other fundraisers, including comedy showcase, Joke for Scope.
Richard HerringIt's really important that people appreciate more about what it's like to be disabled, so I'm delighted to be able to do my bit and help, whether it's by speaking out on Twitter, collecting money at my gigs or running a marathon.
Samantha Renke
Actor and disability campaigner
(Photo by Nicky Johnson)
Samantha Renke is an actor, broadcaster, speaker, writer and disability rights campaigner.
She is also a columnist for the Metro and Enable Magazine and co-host of the Motability Lifestyle podcast. Samantha has numerous television credits including Loose Women, Lorraine and Jeremy Vine on 5. She was nominated as Campaigner of the Year in the 2019 European Diversity Awards and Celebrity of the Year in the 2020 National Diversity Awards.
Her debut book, You Are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread, was published in July 2022 by Penguin Random House.
Samantha originally volunteered with Scope in 2012 and has been an ambassador for four years. She has supported Scope’s campaigns, media work and is a Scope Disability Equality Awards judge and presenter.
Samantha RenkeGrowing up I wanted nothing to do with the word disability. I isolated myself and created a world where I felt ashamed to be me. Working with Scope has allowed me to connect with others, form friendships, and feel proud of who I am.
Dr. Shani Dhanda
(image by Courtesy)
Dr. Shani Dhanda is a multi-award-winning disability specialist and business person. The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 lists her as the UK's most influential disabled person. She is a public speaker and practitioner for inclusion, helping organisations break down barriers and integrate inclusion into their businesses.
Shani has used her influence in leadership to take change into her own hands. She has founded many organisations, improving representation and challenging social inequality.
Shani has supported Scope’s media, campaigns and partnership work with businesses. She has hosted key events and is Head Judge and presenter for Scope’s Disability Equality Awards.
Dr. Shani DhandaI’m delighted to be an ambassador for Scope and to support their goal to create an equal future for all disabled people. When I think of what an equal future will look like, I imagine a society where every person, regardless of their background, identity, or abilities, enjoys equal opportunities, rights, and access to resources. I envision disabled individuals living without fear of being subjected to inhumane and derogatory treatment by the media.
Sophie Morgan
TV presenter, artist, designer and campaigner
Sophie Morgan is a TV presenter, artist, entrepreneur and disability rights campaigner. She has hosted TV documentaries and consumer shows and is a panellist for ITV’s daytime chat show Loose Women.
She also writes an accessible travel column for Conde Nast Traveller. In 2023, she co-founded Making Space, a disabled-led, mission-driven company that plans to change the game for disability representation in the entertainment industry.
She also founded aviation campaign group Rights on Flights to educate and empower disabled travellers and to bring about a change in the law to protect disabled people when they travel by plane.
Sophie has supported Scope’s media and partnerships work and research.
Sophie MorganWorking with Scope, I hope to change the way disability is integrated into the mainstream. Whether it's in the media, in retail or in wider society, I want to lend my voice to the millions of disabled people that Scope represents to make sure we are heard and valued