Jon Cleave of the famous Cornish sea shanty band Fisherman’s Friends is an Ambassador for Brandon Trust.

Jon said that as an Ambassador he hopes to help raise Brandon Trust’s profile, increasing public support for its continuing drive to give people with learning disabilities the best opportunities in life.

But he has a special reason for accepting the new role because over 30 years ago he worked at Bristol’s former Purdown Hospital and was involved in converting an old Victorian farm into a market garden which has since become Brandon Trust’s Elm Tree City Farm.

“I have many fond memories of my time in Bristol,” said Jon, who later joined Avon and Somerset Police and remained with the Force until 1990 when he moved back to Cornwall to take up shop-keeping, children’s story writing and performing with the now famous Fisherman’s Friends sea shanty band.

Before his death on 11th February 2013 in a tragic accident, Trevor Grills, a fellow Fisherman's Friend (pictured above right) also served as an Ambassador for Brandon Trust. On becoming an Ambassador for the trust, Trevor, whose older brother has Downs Syndrome, said “Brandon Trust is a very worthy charity so I am delighted to be supporting its endeavours to improve the social recognition and quality of life for people with learning disabilities”.