Action Cerebral Palsy is honoured to announce that Lord McFall of Alcluith has accepted the role of Patron for our Charity. This momentous appointment strengthens our determination to champion the rights and needs of children and young people with cerebral palsy and their families across the UK.
Lord McFall’s deep understanding of policy-making, developed through his extensive career as Lord Speaker, a Member of Parliament, and a Minister, combined with his background as a teacher and deputy headteacher, makes him an exceptional advocate for our cause. His unique perspective on both governance and education will be invaluable as we strive to improve support and understanding for the 30,000 children and young people living with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a lifelong and fluctuating neurological condition which affects core muscle tone, movement, posture and co-ordination and is caused by abnormal development or damage to the brain before, during or soon after birth. Children with CP can also have a range of issues with communication, cognitive development and learning, hearing and vision, and difficulties with sensory processing. This has a huge impact on how they develop, learn, and interact with the world around them.
As the only national charity solely focused on advocating for children and young people with cerebral palsy, Action Cerebral Palsy is committed to addressing the systemic challenges they face. We have sought to establish the facts about the level of provision of care through reports, surveys and consultation with our community and to communicate the findings and recommendations for change through Government consultations and engagement. We are extremely proud to have initiated and been the lead sponsor of the All Party Group on Cerebral Palsy whose recommendations have directly contributed to key initiatives such as the NHS England Commissioning Framework for Children and Young People with Cerebral Palsy published in May 2025.
Until the campaigning initiatives of Action Cerebral Palsy, there had been no unified voice or platform for cerebral palsy clinical and educational professionals and the parents of children with cerebral palsy to draw together a coherent case for policy makers for improved provisions and reform to improve early identification, intervention, education and pathways of care for children and young people with cerebral palsy.
Lord McFall of Alcluith said: “In my former careers as a teacher, as a constituency MP and as a minister, I all too often encountered young people whose lives are gravely affected by cerebral palsy. I have been deeply impressed by the efforts of families to ensure that these children lead the fullest lives possible. I have been moved to see the quality of young people’s lives transformed by expert support in the use of assistive technology such as switch and eye gaze devices which enable children with very limited mobility and speech to engage with others and their environment. There are few people who need and deserve a champion more than these children and their families affected by a cerebral palsy diagnosis. I have been impressed by the work of Action CP and am delighted to be able to offer whatever support I can to their mission as patron.”
Pilar Cloud, CEO of Action CP, added: “Although cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in children, it remains a misunderstood and overlooked condition. The Trustees and Action CP’s Founder and Director of Policy, Amanda Richardson MBE, and I are thrilled to be able to collaborate with our new patron, Lord McFall of Alcluith. His considerable experience and understanding of these issues are an immense asset, and we are deeply grateful to Lord McFall for his willingness to lend his powerful name and voice to our vital campaigning work.”
