Jayne Torvill OBE was a professional ice dancer who, in partnership with Christopher Dean, won multiple British, European and World Championships.

The pair are most famous for winning Gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Performing their now legendary Bolero routine on Valentines Day of that year, the pair stunned a British audience of over 24 million with a magnificent combination of artistic movement and athletic prowess, earning full marks from all nine judges.

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean actually helped to inspire the founding of SYDF, as Richard & Rose Moreton were well aware of the support that the pair had received from Nottingham Council at an early stage in their careers. The Trustees were, therefore, delighted when Jayne accepted their invitation to become a Patron in March 2006.

Honorary Alderman William Boggia is a man deeply rooted in Swale, having lived in Graveney since 1940. Bill has led a life dedicated to the betterment of his community, having served on Swale Rural Council (1966) and Swale Borough Council (1976-1992) and having been both Deputy Mayor (1983-1984) and Mayor of Swale (1984-1985). In 1992 Bill was made an Honorary Alderman of Swale Borough Council for his long and dedicated service.

In addition to the above, Bill has worked for Canterbury Health Authority, has been National Chairman of Parks Section NCC, has served on St Mary’s Restoration Committee and been both Treasurer and President of the Ashford & Faversham Canine Society.

In October 2009 Bill became the second Patron of the Swale Youth Development Fund.

Steve Brown is an award-winning TV presenter, public speaker and mentor. He is also a wheelchair rugby player and coach who captained Great Britain at the London 2012 Paralympics.

Steve received the New On-Screen Talent award at the Royal Television Society West of England Awards 2018. In 2015 he was recognised in the Shaw Trust Power 100. As a wheelchair rugby player he was a European Championship gold-medal winner.

Born in Chatham and raised in Sittingbourne (where he still lives), Steve is a Freeman of the Borough of Swale and the grandson of SYDF co-founder Rose Moreton.

In February 2018 Steve became the third Patron of Swale Youth Development Fund. He commented: “The Fund was a big part of my Nan’s life for so many years and I am delighted to carry on the charity’s work, supporting the ambitions of many of the talented young people in the district.”