Our patrons Mackenzie Thorpe Internationally renowned artist Mackenzie Thorpe was raised in Middlesbrough in the 1950s. Having struggled with dyslexia throughout his childhood, he found confidence in painting and drawing. Despite having no formal qualifications, Mackenzie won a place at the Middlesbrough College of Art and, subsequently, the Byam Shaw School of Art in London. After leaving art school, he spent several years working in London before moving to North Yorkshire to set up a studio, as well as his own gallery with his wife, Susan, and children, Owen and Chloe. Upon being named patron in 2019, Mackenzie said: “Being involved with an organisation like this makes me unbelievably proud. I am behind you one hundred million per cent in every way, and I will be part of your family for as long as I can.” Pam Royle Award-winning television presenter Pam Royle joined us as a patron in 2022, after stepping down from her role as the main presenter for ITV News Tyne Tees and Border a year earlier. She said: “NEAS has been empowering and supporting autistic people and their families for more than 40 years and I am delighted to be one of the new patrons for this wonderful charity. "I am enjoying being part of the team, helping to raise awareness and acceptance of autism, and highlighting the life-changing work carried out NEAS through its schools, centres for adults, and community services." Pam, who is also a Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham, is now running her own freelance business. Peter Barron MBE Peter, who hails from Middlesbrough, has been a journalist for nearly 40 years. He was the longest-serving editor of The Northern Echo before stepping down in 2016, having been awarded the MBE for services to journalism and North-East life in 2013. He was also presented with a lifetime of achievement award by The Society of Editors. Peter now runs his own media company and has provided media and PR support for NEAS for the past six years. He is also a successful children’s author and his books include Snowdrop The Spikeshuffler, which was published in association with NEAS. Snowdrop was subsequently adopted as the charity’s official mascot. Bob Cuffe MBE Bob has spent more than 30 years working in the regional media, most recently as Regional Managing Director at the Gazette, Chronicle, Journal and Sunday Sun. He now works in a non-executive capacity with a number of organisations, notably as Vice Chair of Darlington Building Society. Bob first became aware of NEAS in the 1990s when his son, Liam, was diagnosed as autistic. Liam is now 29 and has been in residential care with the charity since 2016. Bob said: “Liam is living his best life. He’s happy, safe and a very settled part of the NEAS family – as well as our own. The care during the Covid-19 pandemic was exceptional and I no longer worry about Liam and his future. "I am genuinely delighted – and humbled – to be asked to be a patron of NEAS. If I can help the charity in any way, it will be a privilege and, if he could speak, Liam would certainly echo my support." Manage Cookie Preferences