A message to ME Research UK form Founding Patron Roger Jefcoate CBE DL to mark the charity’s 25th anniversary.
Information about our Founding Patron
For over sixty years Roger Jefcoate CBE DL has worked to enhance the use of technology for people living with a disability, starting with the ten years he spent at Stoke Mandeville Hospital developing such equipment. He not only played a key role in the development of this equipment but was instrumental in ensuring it was available to all disabled people through the NHS. Throughout his career Roger has given his time, knowledge, and resources as an independent advisor, often on a voluntary basis knowing the financial pressures already facing those needing his help the most. His philanthropic initiatives include being the co-founder of Medical Detection Dogs and Canine Partners Patron of Wheelpower (the national charity for wheelchair sport, based at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement), The Sequal Trust (the successor to the Possum Users Association), MK SNAP, and Founding Patron of ME Research UK.
Both inspirational and also practical, Roger and his late wife Jean established The Roger and Jean Jefcoate Trust which has awarded millions of pounds to health and disability charities nationally – including ME Research UK.
For his services to disabled people Roger was appointed CBE in 1998 and he has further served as chairman of The Princes Trust between 1990 and 1997 and as Deputy Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire since 2011. He was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (Hon. DUniv) by the University of Buckingham in 2023.
