Baroness Masham of Ilton 1935 - 2023

The Psoriasis Association was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a great friend and former Association President, Baroness Masham of Ilton earlier this year.

A prominent disability rights campaigner, who founded the Spinal Injuries Association in 1974, Baroness Masham had a keen interest in health and was Vice-Chair of the APPG for Skin for many years, working hard to raise awareness of skin conditions in parliament.

In November 1976 she was invited by Psoriasis Association trustees to become the organisations President and in January 1977, Council Members and Branch Officers were informed that she had accepted, a role that she went on to hold for over 30 years.

A crossbench member of the House of Lords, Baroness Masham spent over 50 years in politics.

She was made a life peer in the House of Lords in 1970 as the Baroness Masham of Ilton, of Masham in the North Riding of the County of York with her 53 years' membership of the House of Lords making her the longest serving female peer.  

She also represented Great Britain in the inaugural Paralympics in 1960, as well as in 1964 and 1968, winning two gold medals, six silver, and two bronze, in swimming and table tennis.

Baroness Masham passed away, aged 87 on 12 March 2023. She will be greatly missed by all at the Psoriasis Association.