Ambassadors

The revered journalist and former Channel 4 News presenter is a long-standing supporter of our work.

He said: “Autism touches so many lives – those with it, and those whose families who care for them. Ambitious about Autism is precisely what its name says, and is relentlessly ambitious for these young people – working tirelessly to ensure they have an equal chance at achieving a meaningful education, access to employment and a brighter future. That’s precisely why I am proud to support them.”

Sam is an Ironman triathlete who has competed all over the world. He is also autistic and describes autism as his ‘super power’ because it gives him his incredible focus and drive to finish everything he starts. Sam, who is from London, is also a brown belt in Judo. He completed a BSc degree in Sports Science at St Mary’s University.

Sam says: “I want to become the first professional Ironman triathlete with autism. If I can achieve these goals it will hopefully change the world’s perception about people with autism.”  

David is the New York Times bestselling author of The Bone Clocks and Cloud Atlas.

He and his wife Keiko Yoshida translated the books The Reason I Jump and Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8 – written by Japanese author Naoki Higashida who is autistic and non-verbal. 

In 2017, David visited TreeHouse School to celebrate the publication of Fall Down 8, Get Up 7, describing TreeHouse School as a 'slice of utopia'. David’s son is autistic and was diagnosed aged three.

Kathy is a best-selling author, screenwriter and journalist. Her novels have been translated into seventeen languages around the world and many have been adapted for stage and screen.

Kathy is also a tireless autism advocate and supporter of our work. Her son Jules was a member of Ambitious about Autism’s Youth Council.  
 

Hayley is a qualified teacher and therapist who has been involved in teaching for over 20 years.  She is a long-standing supporter of our work and has lobbied government extensively for the rights of autistic children.

Hayley said: “I’m ambitious about autism because having worked with the amazing children at TreeHouse School, I know how much more they, and the thousands of children like them, deserve.”
 

Simon and Lucy have been part of the Ambitious about Autism family for many years. Their son Oscar attended TreeHouse and Ambitious College.

Simon is the founder of global cycling brand Rapha and set up the annual Manchester to London challenge – a gruelling 220-mile cycle ride that has raised over £1.5 million in support of our work.  
 

Travis George is an autistic singer and actor who is is best known for his success on the 2023 series of the hit TV talent show, Britain’s Got Talent. Before this, he starred in the popular BBC drama, The A Word, which followed the lives of an autistic boy and his family.

Travis became our ambassador after giving an inspiring talk to members of our Ambitious Youth Network in which he discussed his career highlights and how he got into the arts, as well as offering advice to other autistic young performers.

Travis said: “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!”

Jules is an actor best known for playing autistic character, Jason Haynes, in the BBC medical drama, Holby City.

Jules is autistic and was a member of Ambitious about Autism’s Youth Council where he helped raise awareness of autism and advocate for his peers at a national level. 

Actor Luke Treadaway won a Best Actor Olivier Award for his portrayal of Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

During preparation for the role he visited TreeHouse School and spent time with one of our Youth Patrons. Luke also arranged a theatrical fundraising event in the West End to raise money for our work.  
 

Distinguished stage and screen actor Niamh Cusack starred as Siobhan in the Olivier Award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Alongside her co-star Luke Treadaway, she visited TreeHouse School while researching her role and met with staff and autistic young people.
 

Jonathan has supported Ambitious about Autism’s work for several years, as a former Youth Patron, Chair of the Youth Council, and Trustee.

A solicitor who was open about being autistic since before he began applying for legal roles, Jonathan has been recognised nationally and internationally for his work to improve employment opportunities for autistic people. He has been a long-term champion of our Employ Autism programme.  

Jonathan is also an elected councillor in Bromley and chairs the borough’s All-Age Autism Board. He is currently serving as Mayor of Bromley for 2025-26.