Our high profile Patrons and Ambassadors help us in many ways: spreading the word about our work; giving their time to our patients and families; attending events and fundraising to help fund the care we provide. We are so grateful for all their hard work and support.
BAFTA award-winning documentary maker, actor and author, Ross Kemp, became an Ambassador for Thames Hospice in 2021.
As a local resident and fervent supporter of the Hospice, Ross dedicates huge amounts of his time to promote the work of the charity and regularly visits the Hospice to the delight of patients, staff and volunteers.
Commenting on his new role, Ross Kemp said:
“I am very proud to be an Ambassador for Thames Hospice. It’s a very special place with incredibly inspiring staff and volunteers. I am always moved by the positive atmosphere, compassionate care and love during my visits to the Hospice.
“Their work is fundamental in supporting local families through the most traumatic time and it is my pleasure to continue to raise awareness of this wonderful charity and get involved with their fundraising efforts.”
Star of stage and screen, acclaimed actress and singer Anita Dobson is an avid supporter of Thames Hospice.
Anita has supported many retail events, including the reopening of the charity’s Sunninghill shop and fronted our first ever Fashion Show at the Guildhall. Anita regularly pops into the Hospice to meet and chat with our patients and staff.
Following a recent visit to the Hospice in Windsor, Anita said:
"I was so moved by the warmth, serenity and compassion at the Hospice. Nothing is too much trouble from both the staff and volunteers."
Much loved for her role as Marlene in 'Only Fools and Horses', actress and Windsorian Sue Holderness has supported Thames Hospice for many years.
Sue supports many fundraising events and has recently opened some of our new shops, including Gerrards Cross. Sue helped us launch our 'Raise the Roof' fundraising appeal in the heart of Windsor in 2019 to support the new hospice build. We are also hugely grateful to Sue for supporting us during the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
Sue said:
"Thames Hospice has such a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere with wonderful staff."
We're immensely proud of the amazing people who give their time to support and promote Thames Hospice. From those who have been directly affected by our work, to the people who have been inspired by our amazing care and the people we are privileged to support.
Thames Hospice welcomes Baroness May of Maidenhead as Ambassador
Thames Hospice is delighted to announce that The Rt Hon. the Baroness May of Maidenhead has become an Ambassador for the charity.
Baroness May has been a passionate supporter of Thames Hospice for over a decade, championing its work both as MP for Maidenhead and, notably, during her tenure as Prime Minister. Even at the height of her political career, she remained committed to the Hospice, recognising its vital role in the community.
Her unwavering dedication has been instrumental in the Hospice's development, particularly during the capital appeal that funded the construction of its state-of-the-art facility, which opened in 2020.
Over the years, Baroness May has played a key role in raising awareness, hosting events, and opening up her network to support the charity's mission of providing outstanding palliative and end-of-life care to local families. Now a member of the House of Lords, she continues to be a strong advocate for hospice care at a national level.
Dr Rachael de Caux, CEO of Thames Hospice, said: "We are incredibly honoured that Baroness May has agreed to become an Ambassador for Thames Hospice. Her dedication to our cause has been truly remarkable, and we are immensely grateful for her continued advocacy and support. We look forward to working together to ensure that more people in our community can access the compassionate care they need at the most difficult time in their lives."
As an Ambassador, Baroness May will continue to champion hospice care, helping to amplify Thames Hospice's voice both locally and nationally. She will support the charity through public engagements and advocacy, further strengthening its ability to provide vital care to those who need it most.
Baroness May said: "I am deeply honoured to accept the role of Ambassador for Thames Hospice, an organisation that provides such vital palliative and end-of-life care and support for local people.
"I look forward to championing their mission and raising awareness of the incredible work they do to bring comfort and dignity to patients and their families.
Thames Hospice looks forward to working with Baroness May in her new role as she continues to advocate for the importance of hospice care and help secure a sustainable future for the charity.
We are thrilled to announce that Slough Town FC’s Player-Manager Scott Davies has agreed to become an Ambassador of Thames Hospice.
Throughout 2024, Slough Town FC, who has enjoyed a successful year playing in the Vanarama National League South, has been very active in its support of the Hospice, including regular visits to the charity to find out more about our work.Scott said:
“I’d tell any local business to get involved and my advice would be, don’t wait. I wish I’d know about Thames Hospice sooner. If we can help to get the message out there, then I think many more people in the community will want to get stuck in and support the Hospice.”
Sunita Arora has been supporting Thames Hospice since 2021 and invited the charity to be one of three beneficiaries of their prestigious Arora Ball, a well-known and high profile event which has raised millions of pounds for worthy causes over the past 10 years.
Sunita is one of the co-founders and an Executive Director of The Arora Group. Sunita has been actively involved in the business since its inception in 1999, and launched a group of award-winning nurseries for younger children. Her interests include interior design for the business, noteworthy charitable works and support of the arts. Sunita is one of the founders of the Arora Charitable Foundation which supports social responsibility initiatives in the UK and overseas.
Sunita said:
“Over the last year, I have seen what a difference Thames Hospice is making within the community. I am delighted to become an Ambassador so I can tell everyone in my own communities the incredible care and support they can offer to help families struggling in their own homes.”
We are absolutely delighted that Dilys Morgan has become an Ambassador of Thames Hospice. Dilys’ husband Michael, a familiar TV personality to anyone watching the BBC in the 70s and 80s, was admitted to Thames Hospice for the final few weeks of his remarkable life.
Dilys said:
“Clearly and sadly, it meant Michael was very near the end of his 94 years, but we hoped that there he would find the peace and calm he deserved to end his days. And so, it proved.
Thames Hospice is a remarkable place - a beautiful environment on the shores of Bray Lake. Michael’s room was a bright, airy space which resembled a hotel suite and even had a balcony where we could wheel the bed out on sunny days. Roomy enough for our large family to assemble, yet quiet and peaceful enough for Michael to rest and relax.
This is what I wish for everyone, and why I support Thames Hospice and the hospice movement in general with all my heart and why I’m honoured and delighted to be an Ambassador and help spread the word.”
Dilys wants to help other people living with bereavement, drawing from her own experience and others. Three years on from her husband’s death in 2022, Dilys, a former BBC journalist herself, launched and hosts her podcast ‘Living with dying: Let’s talk about death’. Join the conversation and listen to the episodes here.
We are thrilled that local business woman, Simone Markham, has become an Ambassador of Thames Hospice. Simone owns MyBoutique, a thriving independent ladies clothing store based in Farnham Common and online. Simone and her family raised £20,000 in 2022 for Thames Hospice in honour of their beloved wife, mother and nana, Yvonne Ive, who was cared for on the Inpatient Unit.
As a Hospice Ambassador Simone will continue to raise significant funds and help promote the vital work of the Hospice through her extensive network of friends and business contacts across South Bucks.
Simone said:
“I feel immensely honoured and proud to be an Ambassador for Thames Hospice. Mum adored the Hospice; she felt safe there, often describing it as a ‘magical place’, with ‘angels supporting her every need.’
“In what was a very difficult time for our family, we still continued to have hope, joy and laughter every day at the Hospice and will be forever grateful to their wonderful team.”
Lord Brownlow CVO, DL has supported Thames Hospice since 2017 through his foundation, the David Brownlow Charitable Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting the lives of those facing disadvantage. Lord Brownlow has got to know the work of the Hospice over the last few years providing particular support during the capital appeal to build the facility by Bray Lake which opened in October 2020. Lord Brownlow has also hosted events on behalf of Thames Hospice encouraging other local donors to support the charity’s work.
On being appointed, Lord Brownlow said:
“I have long admired and supported the work of Thames Hospice, what I like the most is the pragmatic approach to need in our community and Thames Hospice’s can do attitude of following the need to provide the very best care possible.”
In his role as Ambassador, Lord Brownlow will champion the Hospice’s work in the local community and through his work in the House of Lords, as well as with other philanthropists.
Sandra’s son Michael, aged 28, died in 2022 at home surrounded by his family, under the care of the Hospice at Home Team. Sandra continued to access the support of the Hospice’s Counselling and Bereavement Service for many months and credits them with her being where she is today.
Since Michael’s death, Sandra has been a keen supporter of the charity, and in what would have been her son’s 30th birthday in 2024, she decided to set about raising £30,000 with the campaign being aptly named ‘30 for 30’. In eight months, the campaign, backed by friends and family, has raised over £30,000 for the Hospice.
Thames Hospice is thrilled that Sandra has agreed to be an Ambassador.
Sandra said:
“I never thought we would need hospice care for our son, but when you do, you assume it will always be there. I feel strongly that this message is so important to share, making people aware of the significance of supporting this invaluable charity.
“The empathy and kindness my family have been shown, really has made the world of difference to us and the level of dignity and care every member of the Hospice offered Michael, will be something I will always be grateful for.
“I cannot think of a more worthy charity to support and am incredibly honoured to be an Ambassador for Thames Hospice. I will continue to advocate for the charity with a deep, personal passion.”
Jason is a passionate lifelong supporter of Thames Hospice with a long-standing family connection. Thames Hospice was formed by the merger of the Thames Valley Hospice and the Paul Bevan day hospice.
Paul was Jason’s father who died following a battle with cancer age 42 and Paul’s wife Penny and close friends formed the Paul Bevan day hospice in his memory.
Jason has continued the Bevan family’s close ties with Thames Hospice with a number of fundraising activities over the years, most recently creating the Big Mountain Challenge providing substantial support to the capital appeal for the new hospice. Jason also provides marketing and other support to Thames Hospice, backed up by his professional career in film marketing. Jason lives with his wife and three children.
Jason says:
“I am proud to support Thames Hospice and honour my father’s legacy through this wonderful charity."
Thames Hospice cared for Tom's dad, Keith, who died at home surrounded by his family in September 2019. Tom accessed our bereavement counselling services following his dad's death and wants to use his own experience to spread awareness about the Hospice.
Tom, who lives in South West London with his wife Emma, is also a fervent fundraiser raising over £4,000 for the Hospice through a charity football match.
We are delighted that Ellie Brown has become an Ambassador of Thames Hospice. Ellie, aged 23, has raised over £7,000 for Thames Hospice, alongside her family and friends, in honour of her beloved Dad Richard who was cared by the charity after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2021.
Ellie, who has recently started an exciting career in the media industry after gaining a first class honours degree at Exeter University in English and Drama, would like to use her own experiences to help raise awareness of the Hospice so that they can continue helping other families like hers.
Commenting on becoming an Ambassador, Ellie says:
“Thames Hospice provided my Dad with amazing care, making sure he was comfortable and out of pain. We were so lucky to have such a supportive and safe space to spend precious time together in my Dad’s final few weeks.
“The staff at the Hospice have also continued to be there for my Mum, brothers and I since the loss of my Dad, including bereavement counselling support.
“As an ambassador, I am looking forward to using my own experience to raise the profile of the Hospice, so the charity can continue with their amazing work and help other families like mine.”
Derek has supported Thames Hospice for many years through his membership of a local Rotary Club. In 2019 his support moved up a notch when he instigated a project involving a number of the local Rotary Clubs, with support from Rotary District 1090 and Rotary International, to raise £60,000 to finance garden furniture for the new Hospice and a training programme for Nursing Assistants and a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Having also seen the value of the work of the Hospice in supporting several friends and their families in their final days, Derek recently extended his involvement with the Hospice by becoming a volunteer guide for visitors to the Hospice and a promotional speaker at external events.
Derek says:
“Having witnessed the level of comfort, care and support given to both patients and their families during a very sad and stressful period, I am keen to be involved in ensuring that this amazing organisation can continue to supply the highest level of service to the local community.”
In 2008, Richard joined Thames Hospice as a Volunteer Receptionist on our Inpatient Unit. By 2009, it became clear that Richard’s passion for the cause and extensive retail experience could help guide the Hospice’s future, and he joined our Board of Trustees.
He was a very active member for eight years, as Chairman of the Income Generation and Marketing Committee and a member of the Patient Care and Quality Committee, before retiring in September 2017. He remains a volunteer on our Inpatient Unit and at events.
Richard shows outstanding commitment to the Hospice and he is passionate about his role as both an Ambassador and Volunteer. He also ensures he visits the Hospice on Christmas Day; to support our medical staff, patients and families at this special time of year.
We are extremely grateful for Richard’s dedication and are honoured he still gives his time to us.
Our services are free of charge to all those in our community who need vital hospice care but this is only made possible through the charitable support and generosity of our amazing community. We need to raise £34,000 each day to fund our services 365 days a year to the people who need us most.
We’ve never needed you, our wonderful supporters, more than we need you today. Please donate what you can to help keep hospice care available for those in desperate need.
Support us