Patron & Ambassadors
We're incredibly lucky to be supported by so many talented, influential people here at Rose Road. Our Ambassadors help to inspire people to support our charity and extend our reach by telling people about what we do and advocating for us throughout the community.
Our Association's Patron, Dame Esther Rantzen, is passionate about our cause.
"I am extremely proud to be Patron of The Rose Road Association. They provide an invaluable lifeline to the parents of hundreds of children and young people with complex disabilities and health needs. It is more important than ever that we continue to raise awareness and combat the social barriers our disabled young people face. I encourage you all to support the wonderful work Rose Road does to support disabled young people to lead a fulfilled and happy life."
Geoff Holt MBE DL
Ambassador
Yachtsman, motivational speaker and wheelchair user, Geoff is greatly involved in Rose Road alongside running chartered boat trips for disabled people through his foundation Wetwheels.
Peter Hull MBE
Ambassador
A gold medallist paralympic swimmer, Pete has worked to improve accessibility in sport across the city of Southampton and has now lent his support to the charity to get more young people active and involved in sports.
Paul Murray MBE
Ambassador
With over 25 years supporting Rose Road, business owner Paul was awarded an MBE in 2018 in recognition of his services to our charity and the community.
Rebecca Powell
Ambassador
Having used Rose Road's services since childhood, Bex recently completed an internship with us and now continues to volunteer, auditing and advocating for better accessibility at local venues and attractions.
Aaron Phipps MBE
Ambassador
Born in Southampton, Aaron is a British wheelchair rugby player and gold medal-winning paralympian and now supports his local charity Rose Road to help get more young people interested in accessible sports.
Darren Fulford & Alex Aragão
Ambassador
Darren, with his partner Alex, has provided years of corporate support through his company Radcliffe & Co solicitors, participating in and sponsoring numerous events and encouraging employees to donate via the Give As You Earn scheme.
Alice Carroll
Ambassador
Alice is the granddaughter of Founder Leonora Welch, and is continuing the family commitment to Rose Road by advocating for the charity throughout the local community.
Angela Howes
Ambassador
Angela is also the granddaughter of Founder Leonora Welch, and alongside her cousin Alice, is continuing the family's support of Rose Road through advocacy and fundraising.
Mike Andrews
Ambassador
Helping to organise multiple events with the fundraising team, Mike has helped buld our community connections and has raised a lot of money for the charity.
Bruce Elkins FCA
Ambassador
Retired Chartered Accountant and former Partner at Azets, Bruce takes on many personal fundraising challenges for Rose Road and organises several corporate fundraising events every year.
Steve Lacey
Ambassador
Steve's first link with Rose Road was on school work experience with our physiotherapy team in the 90s. Since being reintroduced through Bruce Elkins, Steve is "blown away" by our growth and outcomes we deliver and "it's a privilege to fundraise for and promote Rose Road as much as possible".
Nina Basset
Ambassador
Nina and her late husband, world renowned sommelier Gerald Basset OBE, have been wonderful friends of Rose Road raising over £15,000 for the charity.
Karl and Kim Simmonds
Ambassador
Parents of the lovely April, Karl and Kim are one of our Rose Road families. They support us through running events across the year.
Chris Smith
Ambassador
Involved in a variety of ways with his wife Fiona, Chris has been instrumental in developing our partnership with The St. James’s Place Foundation.
Kerry Swain
Ambassador
Journalist Kerry Swain has interviewed parents and heard first-hand the vital role Rose Road plays for those families. Kerry has even done a skydive to help raise money!
Clive and Eryl Thompsett
Ambassador
Partnering with Rose Road for over 18 years, Clive and Eryl rogularly speak out at events across the Country, preading awareness of our work.
Clare Talks
Ambassador
Director of Community Service and Geography Don at Winchester College Clare has hosted events, fundraised, and spoken out so passionately about Rose Road’s work.
Nick Vaughan
Ambassador
Senior Partner of Paris Smith LLP Solicitors, Nick has been working alongside Rose Road for many years.
Richard and Jane Smith
Ambassador
Richard facilitated the ongoing partnership between Rose Road and Paris Smith LLP Solicitors and has continued to provide support for over 20 years.
Martin Jay CBE DL
Ambassador
Martin was one of the ambassadors involved in the fundraising for The Bradbury Centre, helping to raise £5 million for the facilities.
Nina Schofield
Ambassador
Singer and songwriter Nina says “Rose Road is a fantastic charity and their continued support of children and families in the area I grew up in is inspiring.”
Alan Blair MBE
Ambassador
Alan has had connections to Rose Road since 1988 through the New Forest Rotary Club who've raised over £15,000 for the charity over the years.
Michael Kurn
Ambassador
Southampton TV presenter and broadcaster Michael has been involved with Rose Road since presenting the Dinner Dance event in 2012.
Janice Viveash
Ambassador
Janice was the Appeal Director fundraising to build the Bradbury Centre in 2003. Now retired, Janice still likes to keep up to date with the work of Rose Road.
Gay Drysdall
Ambassador
Gay is the daughter of Leonora Welch, who helped found Rose Road in 1952, and grew up alongside the charity. Now, Gay's daughter Angela Howes and niece Alice Carroll, continue to build on this wonderful legacy of support.
