Patrons

Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland

Brainkind is proud to have Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland, as its Patron. Her Grace became Patron in 1997 when she opened Jane Percy House in Cramlington, which was named for her. The Duchess is well known for creating a stunning garden at the family’s ancestral home, Alnwick Castle. Married to Ralph, Duke of Northumberland, with two sons and two daughters, Her Grace is also the first woman to be appointed by the Queen as the Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland. This ceremonial post dates to the reign of King Henry VIII. Of her involvement with Brainkind, The Duchess says, “As Patron for over 11 years, I have watched Brainkind grow and develop to meet the needs of people with profound impairments and complex needs. Its mission to encourage those it supports to lead independent, fulfilling lives so that they can achieve their individual goals and aspirations is something that I fully endorse.”

Gabby Logan

BBC sports commentator and former international gymnast Gabby Logan became Vice Patron of Brainkind in July 2010. She has supported Brainkind for many years along with her mother, Christine Yorath, who has previously been a long-standing member of The Board of Trustees. Gabby was a key member of the BBC’s presenting team for the London 2012 Olympics and, in 2014, was one of their lead presenters at the football World Cup in Brazil and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Gabby says of becoming a Vice Patron, “I am delighted to have accepted the role of Vice Patron for a charity that is very close to my heart – Brainkind. The service they deliver across the UK is already something to be very proud of. I hope that in this new role, I can support the Brainkind even more.”