Our Patrons

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.”

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.

Sue is a farmer’s wife, a former teacher, and magistrate. Appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 1990 she has chaired both Criminal Family courts. A trained appraiser who was appointed to the Darlington, Durham, and Cleveland Advisory Board in 1998, a role she continued until 2026 when she retired as Lord Lieutenant.  She also held the portfolio for all Magistrate matters for the Lieutenancy for England and Wales.

She has worked tirelessly for many charities including cancer research, and local hospices for many years.

A founder member of Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum, an organisation formed in 2003 to coordinate the regeneration of the town, Sue chaired the marketing and promotion group which developed and implemented an events led strategy designed to raise the profile of the town and immediate area and led the team who were nominated to represent the North East in the Enterprising Britain Awards.

The Bishop Auckland Food Festival was successfully organised, managed and nurtured by the group until 2010, when determined to secure its future the management was handed to Durham County Council.

The festival has been a triumph for County Durham, it continues to grow and is regionally recognised for its quality and diversity.

In 2006 she was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham and in 2013 succeeded Sir Paul Nicholson as His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, the first woman in the history of the county to hold this appointment.    

In her capacity as Lord Lieutenant Sue was actively involved in the community. She has consistently expressed her admiration for the achievements and selflessness of voluntary groups throughout the county.

In 2025 she was appointed by His Majesty King Charles as Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, (DCVO) a dynastic order of Knighthood established by Queen Victoria in 1896 to recognise personal service to the sovereign.