We're proud to have a brilliant array of high profile supporters who go the extra mile to raise awareness of our work and help us support and campaign for stroke survivors.
Whether it’s taking part in a fundraising run, meeting the people we support, or giving time for media interviews, we would like to thank everyone for being such an important part of our family.
(Click on the names or the + sign to expand each section for more info)
Kaye has been a fantastic supporter of the Stroke Association, recently hosting our Amazing Brains event at the Science Museum. Kaye has a close family link to stroke and has shared her personal story in the national media.
Stephen is a loyal and much-valued supporter of ours with a family connection to stroke. A regular award presenter at our Life After Stroke Awards, he's also done dozens of stand-up comedy gigs in aid of us.
Actress Stephanie Beacham has met stroke survivors at our Life After Stroke Awards, attended fundraising events and undertaken high profile media work on our behalf.
A British actress, author, television presenter, singer, businesswoman and politician, Floella is known for presenting children's programmes such as 'Play School', 'Play Away' and 'Fast Forward'. Floella is a huge fundraiser for charity and presented an award at our 2016 Life After Stroke Awards.
Comedian and stroke survivor Markus Birdman is one of our most ardent supporters and a great friend of ours. He's a regular award presenter at our Life After Stroke Awards and a valuable campaigns supporter.
One in three people who have strokes is of working age, like Markus. Read our factsheet for information and support.
Baroness Brady is the patron of our Life After Stroke Awards. She never misses an opportunity to raise awareness of our work, whether giving valuable media interviews on our behalf or attending key fundraising events. She works closely with our Philanthropy team and is a hugely important and valuable member of our family.
BBC Sports presenter Mike Bushell has been a fantastic supporter of our charity, meeting stroke survivors, attending events and supporting campaigns. He is also supporting our Give a Hand and Bake Fundraising campaign.
Nick is named as one of the top 100 most influential people in events and PR. Nick has raised thousands of pounds for us via his annual ‘Night With Nick’, which also gets great media coverage for us. Our cause is very close to Nick’s heart following his mother’s death from a stroke some years ago.
Lord and Lady Fellowes are absolutely integral to our High Profile Supporters programme. They work closely with our Philanthropy Team, both behind and in front of the scenes. They are leading members of our committee for our Buckingham Palace gala dinner which funds our Moving Forward programme for stroke survivors. Lady Emma is Chair of Judges for our Life After Stroke Awards. She also joins in on our major fundraiser, the Thames Bridges Bike Ride. Lord Fellowes has even been sculpted live to raise money for us.
Gold medalist Paralympian Megan Giglia is a British track cyclist. She had a stroke three years ago leaving her with paralysis in her right side, loss of feeling in her right leg and restricted movement in her arm. Despite these challenges, Megan won Britain’s first gold medal in Rio 2016 at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships. She's since presented an award at our Life After Stroke Awards 2016.
Renowned DJ Mark Goodier had a stroke in 2016, but he fortunately made a brilliant recovery due to his wife recognising the symptoms and following the FAST advice. Since then, Mark has interviewed dozens of fellow stroke survivors for his Stroke Stories podcasts, which provide a valuable information and support service to stroke survivors and their families. You can listen to the podcast here. Mark is also a judge for our Life After Stroke Awards.
Actress Tamsin Greig is a committed supporter due to her close friend having a stroke. She has presented awards at LASA in 2014 and 2015.
Sally is a strong advocate of healthy eating coupled with moderate exercise which can help to reduce the risk of stroke. Sally supports our Resolution Runs fundraising events to help raise money to support stroke survivors and their families. To find out more, please visit our Resolution Run page.
Stroke survivor Dave Hill is the lead guitarist and backing vocalist in the legendary rock group, Slade. Dave has been a fantastic advocate for our events in the West Midlands including the regional Life After Stroke Awards and a fundraising Firewalk.
Russell Howard is one of Britain’s top comedians. He's a regular guest at our Life After Stroke Awards, presenting awards to young stroke survivors. He's signed our New Era for Stroke petition campaigning with us for first class stroke care.
BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James has been a fantastic advocate of the Stroke Association and has a close family connection to stroke. In 2016, he signed our New Era for Stroke petition at Glastonbury Festival, where we were honoured to be chosen as charity of the year. He has presented at the Life After Stroke Awards and when he was unable to attend he even sang a recorded tribute to one lucky winner! Watch Greg's tribute.
Actress Shelley King has played Yasmeen Nazir in Coronation Street since July 2014. She's a fantastic advocate for us – attending events in Salford and London. Shelley’s mother had a fatal stroke.
Martin Lewis is the founder of moneysavingexpert.com. He's met several stroke survivors and is a regular award presenter at our Life After Stroke Awards. Martin has written our foreword on financial advice for stroke survivors and their families in our Lived Experience report.
TV Weather presenter and journalist Sian Lloyd has attended events in both Wales and England. She's met numerous stroke survivors and has presented awards at our national Life After Stroke Awards.
Miriam has helped us raise awareness of stroke by talking passionately about her mother’s stroke. She's campaigned tirelessly on our behalf, meeting stroke survivors in Brixton and the North East. She's helped us raise thousands of pounds by recording a high profile BBC Radio 4 appeal.
Miriam has also been a fantastic advocate for our legacy appeal. Read more about leaving a gift in your will.
Miriam has written our foreword on caring for stroke survivors in our Lived Experience report.
Stroke survivor Andrew Marr and his wife, journalist Jackie Ashley, fundraise and campaign alongside us to provide physiotherapy and rehabilitation support for all stroke survivors, in particular supporting our Moving Forward programme. Andrew gave a speech at our inaugural Gala Dinner at Buckingham Palace.
Downton Abbey leading-lady Elizabeth has attended our Life After Stroke Awards and has also supported our Rebuilding Lives campaign.
Bafta-winning actor James Norton, shot to fame following roles in the recent TV series 'Happy Valley', 'Grantchester' and 'War and Peace'. He's taken part, with his family, in the Thames Bridges Bike Ride 2016, which raised more than £75,000 as part of the Make May Purple campaign after both his grandparents experienced strokes. He and his family were guests at our Life After Stroke Awards 2016. James is a stauch supporter of the Stroke Association.
This award-winning actress gave a hugely powerful performance as a stroke survivor in the play ‘Wings’ at the Young Vic theatre. In the course of her research for the role, she has met numerous stroke survivors and has become a much-valued advocate for the Stroke Association, attending our Life After Stroke Awards and supporting campaigns.
Most notable for being the main newscaster for ITV News, he's the longest serving male newsreader on British television having worked in both the local news, and the national news for the past 38 years. He hosted our live sculpting of Lord Julian Fellowes in aid of the Stroke Association and is a regular award presenter at our Life After Stroke Awards.
We were honoured when Hollywood legend and stroke survivor Sharon Stone recorded a video presentation for one of our winners at the Life After Stroke Awards. She describes her own stroke recovery as a “humbling journey”.
Watch Sharon's emotional presentation to LASA winner Rachel Inglefield.
Renowned TV presenter and broadcaster, Chris is one of our most valued supporters. In March 2014, Chris had a stroke on a flight from Bangkok to London. He's since described it as "the most terrifying moment of my life" and feels very lucky to be alive.
Chris has been fantastic in helping us raise public awareness of stroke. He joined the Life After Stroke Awards judging panel back in June to help select 2016's winners and hosted our 2016 ceremony. He's undertaken high profile media interviews and attended the BGC charity day. He has also supported our Give a Hand and Bake event.
Rudolph is best known for his role as Patrick Truman on BBC’s EastEnders. Rudolph has been a fantastic supporter of the Stroke Association since his storyline involved him playing a stroke survivor. He's supported various campaigns including supporting the Royal Mail partnership as well as reading at the Christmas Carol Concert. He is a regular presenter at our Life After Stroke Awards.
Vogue Williams is an Irish model, DJ and TV presenter. She's also the winner of 'Bear Grylls: Mission Survive'. She's a regular award presenter at our Life After Stroke Awards and gives up much of her time to give media interviews on our behalf. Vogue’s late father, grandfather and her uncle had strokes. She says this has made her very aware of the importance of blood pressure and a healthy lifestyle.
Artist Liaison Team contacts
The Stroke Association Artist Liaison Lead is Kate Asselman. Contact Kate on kate.asselman@stroke.org.uk.