Patrons & Friends of St Catherine's

Since we commenced our Voice To Be Heard campaign to raise awareness of speech, language and communication disabilities and their impact on children and young people, we have been amazed how supportive everyone has been.

The following highlights some of our patrons and friends.


	Radio 1 DJ and Bestival Curator Rob da Bank joined St Catherine’s as our first Patron following a visit to the centre. Rob explains “I am delighted to be a patron of St Catherine’s. The incredibly important work they do strikes a chord with someone who relies on his voice and communication skills for his work.” Rob has visited the centre on a number of occasions and is a big favourite with the children and young people. Every year St Catherine's joins Rob and his team at The Bestival. www.Bestival.co.uk

	Alison Steadman, the film and television actor, hosted our first London awareness reception. We approached Alison given her remarkable ability to communicate through TV, film or the stage. Charities very rarely get the opportunity to work with the individual of their choice. Fortunately for St Catherine’s Alison is an exception to the rule and immediately expressed an interest in assisting us raise awareness of this spectrum of disabilities.

	Premier League Football Player John Utaka visited St Catherine’s in Spring 2008. John joined the learners in an occupational therapy session, in the classroom and toured the centre. The children were so inspired with John that they subsequently wrote thanking him for visiting. In turn John was so inspired with them and St Catherine’s he joined the charity as a patron.

	England and Harlequins Rugby Union Andy Gomarsall joined St Catherine’s A Voice To Be Heard campaign speaking with us at a London awareness reception. Following the reception Andy expressed his delight about becoming a patron. Andy explained "St Catherine's is an amazing charity and I am really looking forward to working with and supporting them in the future."

	Alan Titchmarsh has visited St Catherine's and kindly supports our fundraising with fantastic auction prize for our Grand Auction. Alan has become a great friend of St Catherine’s.
	Celebrated entertainer Christopher Biggins hosted a reception for St Catherine’s at Bafta in October 2009. The comedy actor, who also won the 2007 series of “I’m a Celebrity - Get me out of Here”, was so impressed with St Catherine’s and our young people, that following a request from Charlie, a learner from the Further Education Centre, he agreed to join the charity as a patron.