U2's Guitarist Becomes Charity Ambassador

U2 guitarist The Edge has been made a Mencap ambassador.

The rocker has been a longtime supporter of the charity, which works with people who suffer from learning disabilities. In 2007, he played a surprise acoustic gig with Bono at the charity’s annual Little Noise Sessions, and he joins stars such as comedian Mathew Horne, Christopher Eccleston, investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre, actress Kellie Shirley, Newcastle-born actress and TV presenter Donna Air, Paula Sage – who became an ambassador after she won a Bafta award for her role in the film Afterlife – actor and singer Will Young, and Lisa Scott Lee as an ambassador.

“Not many people know what a learning disability is, or the challenges people with a learning disability face,” said The Edge. “I’ve seen how much work goes into Mencap and want to continue to see it flourish.”

The Edge was invited to become an ambassador by his cousin, Ciara Evans, who works with Mencap’s campaigns and celebrity teams.

“My learning disability has not stopped me from achieving my goals or getting a job, but others like me can find it hard to get paid work,” she said. “I hope that The Edge’s support will help create more opportunities for people with a learning disability.”