Patrons and Ambassadors
Scope is supported by many great people. Here are some of them, and why they support us.
Our Patrons and Ambassadors:
- believe in Scope's aims and motivate others to get involved
- raise awareness of our campaigns and services
- help raise money for our work.
Patrons
Cherie Blair CBE QC
British barrister, queens counsel and human rights campaigner
Cherie has been a Scope Patron since 2002. She is particularly interested in our education work and supported campaigns including In the Picture which highlighted the importance of representation for disabled children in story books.
Cherie Blair CBE QCI am an active campaigner on equality and human rights issues, which is one of the many reasons that I am proud to support Scope. I committed to their vision of changing society so that disabled people and their families can have the same opportunities as everyone else.
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 and Upstart Crow, as well as musical We Will Rock You and 15 major best sellers including Gridlock featuring a character with Cerebral Palsy.
Ben has supported Scope for over 30 years, through our name change, an equal rights petition and numerous fundraising events.
Ben EltonI’m honoured to come on board as a Patron of Scope – representation and equality for all is so important and we all need to be working towards a fairer society for disabled people
Richard Herring
Award-winning comedian, writer, author and broadcaster
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 ran the London Marathon for Scope in 2003, and he has been a vocal supporter and prolific fundraiser via bucket collections at the end of his performances. He became a Patron in 2012.
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. And if I'm going to be a Patron then perhaps Scope will finally allow me to park in Blue Badge spaces!
Sophie Morgan
TV presenter, artist, designer and campaigner
Sophie was paralysed from the chest down in a car crash aged 18. She works as a TV presenter, broadcasting live sports, current affairs documentaries and news. She is also a successful entrepreneur, and an award-winning campaigner, artist and designer, working to improve disability representation in various industries.
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.
Ambassadors
Shani Dhanda
(image by Courtesy)
Shani is a multi-award-winning disability specialist and Business person. She is listed as one of the UK's most influential disabled people.
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.
Organisations Shani has founded, include:
Neil Blackley
Media and technology private equity analyst
Neil has supported Scope for many years, including supporting Scope events and the retail expansion project, and encouraging new Scope initiatives.
Neil BlackleyExperiencing at first hand how diagnosis turned our lives upside down, I was impressed with Scope's passion to support people across all disabilities and age groups.
Peter Brewer
Investment manager
Peter’s expertise and industry insight has been invaluable when promoting our social investment products, which raise significant money to help our work.
Peter BrewerI know of Scope's excellent work first hand as my eldest daughter has cerebral palsy and attends a Scope school, which has transformed her quality of life.
Alex Brooker
TV presenter, journalist and comedian
Alex is co-presenter of the Royal Television Society award-winning comedy show The Last Leg alongside Adam Hills (another Scope supporter). Alex was born with physical impairments affecting his arms, hands and legs. He has mentored young disabled people at Scope’s employment service, giving valuable advice about the importance of having confidence as a disabled person.
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.
Richard Farr
Pensions expert
An enthusiastic Scope supporter for over 5 years, Richard has supported the retail expansion project and gives his time to support the charity on both a personal and corporate level.
Richard FarrTime nowadays is more precious than money. I realised that I needed to give something back to society that was more than just money. The challenge of raising the awareness of disability - both in children and in adults - is a big one. Scope ticked all the boxes for me.
Nicolas Hamilton
Racing driver, European Touring Car Cup
Nicolas is a racing driver who has cerebral palsy. He made his racing debut in 2011 in the Renault Clio Cup, where he will be returning in 2018. He has supported a variety of Scope's activities, including giving a keynote speech at the Scope Inspirations Dinner.
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.
Isabel Hudson
Non-executive director
Isabel has been involved with Scope for over 10 years, and was chair of the committee behind Scope’s annual fundraising dinner for 7 years. She has supported our retail expansion project, and often engages corporate supporters.
Isabel HudsonScope does great work helping families at that stressful and disorienting time when one of their children is first diagnosed as disabled. Much of the work it does is unsung as disabled people do not have high visibility, but every family which has to cope with the issues surrounding disability will know how all encompassing these can be.
James Melville Ross
Managing director
James is Managing Director at business advisory firm FTI Consulting, working with some of the world’s top technology, media and telecoms companies. He is a passionate advocate for disability rights, and wrote the memoir ‘Two for Joy’ about raising twins with Cerebral Palsy. He has supported Scope's online community, our Inspirations Dinner and our overall strategic development.
James Melville RossScope's Everyday Equality campaign is very aligned with my interests. Scope are organised and proactive and I feel like there is real momentum in changing attitudes towards disability.
Samantha Renke
Actor and disability campaigner
Born with the rare genetic Brittle Bone condition, Samantha is an active disability campaigner, speaker and writer on disability issues, and has supported Scope for many years. Samantha is also an actor and won Best Actress at the LA Diversity Film Festival for indie film Little Devil, and has been part of an online series for the Huffington Post called the New Activists.
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.
Lee Ridley
Lee Ridley, also known as Lost Voice Guy, won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014 and co-wrote and starred in his own BBC Radio 4 sitcom, 'Ability'. He was the first comedian ever to win 'Britain’s Got Talent'. He appeared in the 2018 Royal Variety Performance and in 2019 embarks on his debut UK tour. His first book is called 'I’m Only In It For The Parking'.
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.
Mark D Smith
Finance and Global Business Services expert
Mark has been involved with many charities over the last 15+ years, including Great Ormond Street Hospital and HOME Singapore. He has been crucial to the success of the Inspirations Dinner, and has now taken over as committee chair, he has also been instrumental in introducing Scope to companies and businesses.
Mark D SmithCancer and children’s charities are more immediately chosen by others for fundraising and support but disability is just as important an issue to address. I want to help raise awareness of Scope’s work.