Our Patrons
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
Designer and television presenter Laurence is the son of Trefor Llewellyn Bowen, the renowned orthopaedic surgeon who was one of MERU’s founders back in the early 1970s. Sadly Trefor passed away in 1974 but MERU is delighted to have Laurence as one of its patrons, along with the much valued support of his wife Jackie and daughters Cecile and Hermione.
Laurence is the presenter of MERU’s promotional video, Click here to view.
For more information on Laurence please visit www.llb.co.uk
Richard Stilgoe
After 40 years in show business as a composer, songwriter and entertainer, Richard is remembered for adding humour and tuneful gaiety on television on programmes such as ‘Today’, ‘Nationwide’ and ‘That’s Life’ and for his collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber, writing lyrics for Cats, Starlight Express and Phantom of the Opera.
Richard was High Sheriff of Surrey (the county of his birth) in 1998. He grew up in Liverpool – Merseyside rocked and so did Tony Snow (aka Richard Stilgoe) and the Blizzards. They were regulars at the Cavern Club, playing twice with the Beatles.
Richard is Chair of the National Foundation for Youth Music and presents the Music for Youth School Proms every year at the Royal Albert Hall, as well as being actively involved in other charitable causes and local events.
Richard is also the founder of the Orpheus Centre, a performing arts centre for young disabled people, with physical and/or sensory impairments or learning difficulties. Since its foundation over 10 years ago, many young people have completed the centre’s learning programme and left to go to college, live in their own flats and generally live life with a level of independence that they, their parents and social workers say would have been unthinkable without their years at Orpheus.
For more information please visit www.orpheus.org.uk