Our Presidents and Honorary Presidents
Our Presidents and Honorary Presidents are a group of dedicated supporters who are extremely passionate about the work we do as a charity, and continuously support Blood Cancer UK in raising awareness of blood cancer.
Lord Botham
Founding President
Lord Botham is a long time supporter of Blood Cancer UK and since his first charity walk in 1985 has raised over £13 million to go towards beating blood cancer.
![A headshot of Ian Botham, famous cricketer and Founding President of Blood Cancer UK.](https://bcuk.cdn.ngo/images/Lord-Botham.2e16d0ba.fill-530x395.jpg)
Sam Heughan
President, Blood Cancer UK Scotland
Sam has been supporting Blood Cancer UK since 2011, bringing our message to supporters on both sides of the Atlantic.
![Sam Heughan, Scotland President of Blood Cancer UK, standing in front of the camera with a pipe band in the background.](https://bcuk.cdn.ngo/images/Sam-Heughan-President-Blood-Cancer.2e16d0ba.fill-530x395.jpg)
Simon Thomas
President
TV presenter Simon Thomas lost his wife, Gemma, suddenly to acute myeloid leukaemia in November 2017. He has been raising awareness of blood cancer symptoms ever since.
![Simon Thomas, President of Blood Cancer UK, kneeling with his right arm raised in front of a crowd of people posing and cheering at an event.](https://bcuk.cdn.ngo/images/Simon-Thomas-President-Blood-Cance.2e16d0ba.fill-530x395_7mTIOOi.jpg)
Angela Knowles MBE
Honorary President
Angela is one of the original Calendar Girls who created the ‘alternative’ WI calendar. The famous calendar followed the death of her husband to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Angela and the girls have raised £5 million for Blood Cancer UK.
![Angela Knowles, inspiration for Calendar Girls, and honorary president Blood Cancer UK smiles and waves at the camera.](https://bcuk.cdn.ngo/images/Angela_Knowles_Calendar_Girl_and_h.2e16d0ba.fill-530x395.jpg)
Photograph by Kippa Matthews
Past Presidents and Honorary Presidents
Ken Lomas MBE
Honorary President
Ken founded a Blood Cancer UK branch in the late 1970s, became a Trustee and set up the TV Times celebrity running team in 1982. Ken, who received an MBE, played a significant role at Blood Cancer UK for nearly 40 years.
![Ken Lomas, an Honorary President of Blood Cancer UK, and his wife holding a medal in front of marble columns.](https://bcuk.cdn.ngo/images/Photo_of_Ken_Lomas_and_his_wife.1290a5b7.fill-530x395.jpg)
Richard Delderfield MBE
Honorary President
Richard has dedicated himself to Blood Cancer UK since losing his son Paul to leukaemia in 1985. He was a trustee for over 20 years and Vice Chairman for seven years before retiring from his role as Honorary President in October 2023.
![Richard Delderfield, a Blood Cancer UK Honorary President, in a three piece suit holding a medal.](https://bcuk.cdn.ngo/images/Richard_Delderfield_MBE.2e16d0ba.fill-530x395.jpg)
Lord Cadogan KBE DL
Honorary President
Lord Cadogan became an Honorary President of Blood Cancer UK in July 2019. This follows a long-standing commitment to the charity. He previously served as Chairman and was a Trustee for 29 years. Lord Cadogan sadly passed away in June 2023.
![A headshot of Lord Cadogan, former honorary president of Blood Cancer UK, wearing a suit.](https://bcuk.cdn.ngo/images/Lord_Cadogan_honorary_president_Bl.2e16d0ba.fill-530x395.jpg)