Transforming Autism is proud to announce Sir Christopher Ball as the charity’s very first Vice Patron. Sir Christopher has been a dedicated supporter of Transforming Autism for many years and now takes on this new role to continue his commitment, share his voice, and help the charity expand its reach to support more families across the UK.
What makes Sir Christopher’s appointment especially inspiring is the extraordinary energy he brings to the role. A lifelong fundraiser, he ran back-to-back marathons in the 1980s and, incredibly, at 90 years old, he recently completed a 10k run for charity. His resilience and drive make him an extraordinary advocate for the autism community and beyond.
Sir Christopher also has a deeply personal connection to autism, with autistic family members, and has recently celebrated the discovery that he may be autistic himself. He has embraced this with joy, describing it as being part of a “new superhuman species.”
Alongside his athletic and charitable work, Sir Christopher has enjoyed a distinguished career in academia, including serving as Warden of Keble College, Oxford, and Chancellor of the University of Derby. He is also a published poet (under the name John Elinger), an accomplished author, and a proud husband, father of six, and grandfather.
Transforming Autism is delighted to welcome Sir Christopher Ball as its first Vice Patron and looks forward to the impact this partnership will have on the lives of autistic children and their families across the UK.
Q&A with Sir Christopher Ball
What inspired you to become Vice Patron for Transforming Autism?
“I was moved to accept the invitation to be Vice-Patron of Transforming Autism, both by my admiration for what the charity has achieved in its short life, and by my own lifelong interest in the human variant we call autism, and (perhaps most of all) by the people I have met and worked with on the spectrum over the last half century.”
What do you hope to achieve through this partnership with the charity?
“I hope I may contribute to the work of Transforming Autism by helping to spread the word about its approach, its achievements, and its needs, to a wider audience; and I will use my experience and expertise in effective fund-raising to support it, as best I can.”
You’ve spoken about your personal connection to autism – could you share a little about your experiences?
“We found that ‘love works’ in the care of our son, Peter … we remember him with warm affection as someone who taught us to respect ‘difference’. Later, my work with autism charities and research projects, and supporting autistic family members, has only deepened that respect.”
You’ve described autism as part of a ‘new super-species.’ What do you mean by that?
“Autism may prove to be evolution’s experiment with the development of a new super-species … autism isn’t an example of ‘human deficiency’ … but rather the fore-runner of the shape of things to come. Those on the spectrum deserve our respect.”
For interview requests with Sir Christopher Ball regarding his new appointment, please contact:
Press enquiries: Rachael O’Neill, Press Officer for Transforming Autism
Tel: 07404298225 Email: rachael.o’neill@transformingautism.org
