| The Niemann-Pick Disease Group has a number of distinguished Patrons who lend their support to our work.
GUY JOHNSTONGuy Johnston was born in 1981 and has become a fast-rising star on the international concert stage after making an extraordinary debut in London at the BBC Proms where he played the Elgar Cello Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin. Since then, he has enjoyed a number of recent successes with the London Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony, English Chamber Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony, Orchester der Hessischer Rundfunk, Musikkollegium Winterthur, Osaka Philharmonic, St.Petersburg Academic Symphony, Gavle Symphony, Lithuanian National Philharmonic and regular tours to Japan. Conductors he works closely with include Yan Pascal Tortelier, Daniele Gatti, Leonard Slatkin, Robin Ticciati and Alan Burbayev. Guy is a founder member of the Aronowitz Ensemble, who have recently been invited onto the prestigious BBC New Generation Artists Series, and is also a committed chamber musician. He began cello lessons at the age of five and went on to study with Steven Doane at the Eastman College of Music in Rochester, New York, Steven Isserlis at IMS Prussia Cove and Ralph Kirshbaum in the UK. Awards include winner for the BRIT award for Best British Newcomer in 2002 (for the recording of Karl Jenkins’ Armed Man – Mass of Peace, Virgin Classics), BBC’s Young Musician of the Year in 2000 as well as Shell/LSO Gerald Macdonald Prize, Musicians Benevolent Fund Award and Suggia Gift. He is also regularly heard on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. “I am absolutely delighted to be a patron of the NPDG (UK). When Tony Jellings approached me about becoming a patron, there was absolutely no question I could turn it down. There is nothing more satisfying than making music and raising money for such a worthy cause at the same time! I hope that the charity continues to go from strength to strength”. Over the years since Guy became a patron he has given generously of his time and talent and has performed in seven concerts in aid of the NPDG (UK) which have raised several thousand of pounds. To learn more about Guy Johnston visit www.guy-johnston.com
MARTIN ROSSERProfessor Martin N Rossor is Professor of Neurology and Chairman of Division of Neurology at the Institute of Neurology, London. He is also an Honorary Consultant Neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and St Mary’s Hospital, London. As Head of the Dementia Research Group, London he runs the Cognitive Disorders Clinic at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London. “I became a patron due to involvement with patients with Niemann-Pick disease whose onset was in early adulthood and the realisation of the importance of the recognition of the disorder and of the value of the Niemann-Pick Disease Group.”
BISHOP DOMINIC WALKERBishop Dominic Walker is the Bishop of Monmouth in Wales (and was formerly the Bishop of Reading in England). He has a particular interest in the church's ministry to the sick. He has undertaken post-graduate studies in the psychology of religion and religion and mental health, and he was involved in producing a major report called 'A Time to Heal'. He also has an interest in animal welfare and is a patron of the RSPCA. Asked why he agreed to become a Patron, Bishop Dominic replied, 'I was interested to learn about NPD because it is not a well-known condition, and although comparatively rare, it is devastating for the families and people living with it. I know that campaigners have to work hard to provide personal support and to achieve government, medical and pharmaceutical action. I am happy to lend my name to such a worthwhile cause.' THE RT HON THE EARL CAIRNS, CVO, CBEThe Rt. Hon. The Earl Cairns, Chairman of CDC Group plc (formerly the Commonwealth Development Corporation). He also chairs Look Ahead Housing and Care Ltd. He is a member of the Business Advisory Council of UNOPS and a Trustee of the Charities Aid Foundation and the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. From 1998-2000 Lord Cairns was Chairman of Allied Zurich plc; Vice Chairman of Zurich Financial Services and Zurich Allied following the de-merger of BAT Industries, of which he was Chairman between 1996-1998.
NICK MATHIAS ARAMI studied violin and piano at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and actually began my professional career as a violinist with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. However, in 1980, I decided to move into orchestral management, and first worked with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra for a period of two years as Administrator, which was followed by a short two-year period as Concerts Director of the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast. When Tony Jellings – whose daughter Juliet suffers from Niemann-Pick - asked me if I would become a patron of the Society, I was delighted to accept, in order to help in any way I can to assist in raising funds for the charity, in the hope that, at some point in the future, a cure will be found to alleviate such suffering. As we know in life, one’s health is everything, and good health is something we all tend to take for granted. It is only when one comes into contact with people who are suffering from such a disease as Niemann-Pick that one realises how fortunate one is to have good health. It is very gratifying and rewarding to see such wonderful young artists such as Guy Johnson and Julian Bliss and others, who have given their services so generously to perform for the charity, and I hope very much that I will be able to arrange for a number of other young artists to come and give recitals for the charity in the years ahead.
LORD BASSAM OF BRIGHTONSteve Bassam became a member of the House of Lords in 1997 following the election of a Labour Government. He was previously the Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council and had led the authority for 13 years. His background has mainly been in local government as an official and adviser. From 1979 to 1983 he was a legal adviser at Lewisham Law Centre, he worked for Camden Council in 1983/4 and for the GLC from 1984 until its abolition. He was a policy adviser on police matters to the GLC's police committee under Paul Boateng. He then worked for the Association of Metropolitan Authorities until 1997 and briefly the LGA - the major representative organisation for local government in the UK. He was educated at Sussex University (BA Hons in History) and Kent University (MA in Social Work). His main political interests are local government, education, health, crime and security. He believes and supports wherever possible voluntary organisations and civic amenity groups. It was in that context that he agreed to become an active patron of NPDG (UK) . He is delighted that the Group has achieved so much in terms of developing support for NP sufferers and care for carers. He believes that there is much to be done in raising awareness of NP and other conditions which though thankfully rare can be so devastating for those individuals and families that it affects. He wants to see more done to promote research into the disease group and more done to support those who provide long term care. Lord Bassam is currently a Labour Whip in the House of Lords.
DORA BRYAN
DENISE NOLANDenise Nolan agreed to become a Patron of the Niemann-Pick Disease Group (UK) after performing at a charity event held jointly by the NPDG(UK) and Campaign for Calum in January 2009. Denise Nolan’s career began with worldwide fame as a member of “The Nolan |
