PATRONS OF LOST CHORD UK CHARITY
Sir Cliff joins International Soprano Lesley Garrett CBE in supporting us with their patronage.
Patron – Sir Cliff
In the year of our 10th anniversary, we are delighted Sir Cliff Richard OBE has agreed to be one of our National Patrons. His mother suffered with dementia and he knows what an important part music can play in improving the quality of life for people with dementia.
“I am happy to lend my name to your invaluable work because I am aware of the positive effect of music on those with dementia”
Visit Sir Cliff’s official website >
Patron – Lesley Garrett CBE
Lesley Garrett CBE, the world famous soprano, became our first National Patron. Lesley originally came from Doncaster and obviously feels a certain allegiance to this area. We asked her to comment on her reasons for supporting Lost Chord.
“I had a dear aunt with dementia, a resident at a home in South Yorkshire. She didn’t recognise any of us by sight towards the end, but when my mother played one of my CD’s her face always lit up and she would say ‘Lesley.’ I do admire the work you do, especially as you are helping young musicians as well as people with dementia.”
Visit Lesley Garrett’s website >
Patron – Professor K.R.Dark
Professor Ken Dark (PhD FSA FSA (Scot.) FRHistS FRAI SFHEA) is perhaps the most internationally famous living archaeologist. Renowned for his interdisciplinary research, he is also an expert on the historical and anthropological analysis of the relationship between personal experience and memory
‘’Unlike some of the other patrons of Lost Chord, I have no experience of dementia in my own family. But I had heard a lot about Lost Chord’s wonderful work, and then was invited to see them in action. Their reputation for care, professionalism and excellence, and for the amazingly beneficial effect which they have on those living with dementia, is entirely justified. In short, they deserve the support which you can give them whether or not you have been personally affected by dementia.’’
Patron – Roger Jefcoate CBE
Roger Jefcoate CBE has spent a lifetime working to make life better for disabled people, starting in his teens when he worked with Ludwig Guttmann, the founder of the Paralympics, to pioneer life-changing independence technology for severely disabled individuals at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
Since then, Roger has been involved in many life-changing charities. He was a co-founder of the assistance dog charities Medical Detection Dogs, based in Great Horwood, and Canine Partners. Roger was the founding patron of ME Research UK and set up The Roger and Jean Jefcoate Trust (formerly the Disability Aid Fund) with his late wife, who sadly passed away in 2022.
Roger has helped provide millions of pounds worth of funding for individuals and charities, and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Buckingham in April 2023. Lost Chord is indebted to the outstanding support that Roger provides to Clare.
Patron – Dame Julie Kenny OBE DL
Rotherham businesswoman Julie Kenny received her damehood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020. Find out more in the local Rotherham Advertiser article >
Patron – Jon Courtenay
“My Dad loved music. Singing, playing piano or just listening to it. In the depths of his dementia towards the end of his life, music still found a way through. It’s that powerful. It could make him smile when little else could. Lost Chord UK aims to bring that joy and quality of life to people living with dementia all over the county and I am very proud to be a patron of the charity. The fact that music plays such a huge part in my life makes it even more special. Thank you for your support in this incredibly worthwhile cause.”
Patron – Sandra Blockley MBE
For close to four decades, Sandra, 78, has raised in excess of a million pounds for cancer and dementia charities and still works in the community of Thurcroft in South Yorkshire. Sandra lost her daughter Lorraine to cervical cancer at the age of nineteen and nursed her husband, Charlie, through dementia. Sandra became determined to raise as much money as possible for causes so close to her heart. Sandra runs a charity shop in Thurcroft on Green Arbour Road and can often be seen outside in all weathers chatting to customers.
In 2006 Sandra was awarded an MBE in recognition of her voluntary work and fundraising. She was presented with the Unpaid Carers Award at the national finals of the Great British Care Awards 2021.
In 2022 Sandra Blockley was named ‘Fundraiser of the Year’ at the Pride of Britain ceremony, for her 38 years of service, before pledging to keep fighting for people living with dementia. We are honoured to have Sandra as a patron to our dementia charity Lost Chord UK.
