Joining Together to Make a Difference
Actor Sally Phillips and Son Olly Join
the Down’s Syndrome Association as Patrons
Sally Phillips and son Olly Join DSA as patrons
The Down’s Syndrome Association, DSA, is delighted to welcome British actor and comedian Sally Phillips and her son Olly, to the team as Patrons of the charity, ahead of World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March.
Best-known for her roles in the Bridget Jones films, Smack the Pony and Miranda, Sally talked openly about family life with Olly, who has Down’s syndrome, in her documentary A World Without Down’s. She has become an advocate for the Down’s syndrome community – something which she hopes to build upon in her role as Patron.
Sally shared: ‘The Down’s syndrome community has given us so much; larks and laughs, support networks and lifelong friends who feel like family.
So much of what the DSA do goes unnoticed, like getting specialist help to the Down’s syndrome community in the Ukraine, getting people into work, running a helpline, and supporting sports clubs like the Brentford Penguins where Olly is training to be a coach.
Olly and I are excited to have this opportunity to work alongside people with Down’s syndrome, their families and the wider community to try and make a real difference.’
‘We are proud to join the DSA!’ say Sally and Olly
Sally’s son Olly, 19, Will also join the DSA as a patron. He 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 has a long history with the DSA, first visiting the Langdon Down Centre at 2 months old.
He said: ‘I am a bit nervous about becoming 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 for people with Down’s syndrome. One thing I loved at the DSA was a dance workshop with Andrew, The Greatest Dancer from Britain’s Got Talent.’
The DSA is a national charity that supports anyone who has Down’s syndrome, and their parents and carers. We are there from before birth through to old age and everything in between. The charity’s aim is to enable people who have Down’s syndrome to lead full and rewarding lives.
Carol Boys, Chief Executive of the DSA said: ‘We are thrilled to have Sally and Olly on board as a Patrons. It is our privilege to welcome them both to the team.
She represents a powerful voice in the mainstream media and has already done much work to highlight the abilities of people who have Down’s syndrome. We look forward to involving Sally and Olly in more of our campaigns and to a long and successful partnership.’
Sally and Olly join the likes of Dame Judi Dench DBE, Damon Hill OBE, Sarah Gordy MBE, Emma Barton, Peter Davison and Derrick Evans MBE, as Patrons of the charity.