Two leading learning disability and autism charities have welcomed new ambassadors to their organisations to help increase public understanding and grown representation in the media.
Actor and Britain’s Got Talent star Travis George has become an ambassador for Ambitious about Autism – the national charity for autistic children and young people.
The autistic 23-year-old from Cwmbran in South Wales, was a finalist on the latest series of the hit TV talent show, where he wowed judges with an epic first-audition performance of Stars from the musical Les Misérables. Before this, Travis appeared in BBC drama, The A Word, which followed the lives of a fictional autistic boy and his family. Travis played Mark, an autistic teenager in the show.
Travis said: “I’m really delighted to be an ambassador for Ambitious about Autism. Like many other autistic young people, I’ve experienced setbacks and challenges in my life– but I’ve also learned the importance of being myself, surrounding myself with people who understand me and finding the thing I love doing the most.
“Ambitious about Autism shares my belief that all autistic young people should have the chance to achieve their ambitions – whatever those might be – and be accepted for themselves. I’m very proud to support this charity!”
Olly and Sally Phillips were also announced as the latest patrons for the The Down’s Syndrome Association.
Olly attends college and Baked Bean drama school, as well as playing football for Brentford Penguins. He loves to relax by doing yoga, eating brownies, making dance videos and watching Kung Fu Panda in his spare time.
Olly and Sally, who is best-known for her roles in the Bridget Jones films, Smack the Pony and Miranda, featured in the recent documentary A World Without Down’s.
Olly said: “I’m a bit nervous about becoming a patron but I’m getting there. It’s an honour for us to be asked and we will do our best to bring about good change.”
