Our trustees

Our wonderful trustees are from a wide range of career backgrounds. Their many skills and expertise help us keep offering the best possible care and support to children and families that need it.  Would you like to meet them?

David Wilkin - Chair of Trustees

David started out as an engineer and has since held senior roles at international companies in a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, marketing and events.

Now semi-retired, David has worked with numerous charities over the years and currently sits of the board of The National Coal Mining Museum and Real Life Options, a charity that supports people with learning disabilities.

“Bluebell Wood is such an important charity doing absolutely vital work. There can be fewer greater motivators than helping to give young people who are at the end of their life, or whose time may be limited, and their families the best possible experience.”

Anne Fowlie - Vice Chair of Trustees

Anne was inspired to become a Bluebell Wood trustee after working with children who would have benefitted from hospice care.

She has a background in teaching and now helps teachers studying for Masters in Special Educational Needs. She is also a special school governor and volunteers with the Yorkshire Adoption Agency.

“I cherish being part of the Bluebell Wood family and the moments I can sit with families and young people we support.”

Steve Allen - Vice Chair of Trustees

Steve wanted to be one of our trustees as he had a personal connection through friends who got fantastic support from Bluebell Wood at a very difficult time in their lives.

He previously worked in IT management for 33 years and is now Vice Chair of Trustees.

“Being a trustee here is a real privilege. This is a wonderful cause and I want it to continue to give excellent support to families when they need it most.”

James Wenninger - Chair of Finance and Resources Committee

James is proud to come from Sheffield and is passionate about making a difference to the community.

He is Finance and Commercial Director at Insight Direct and is also a chartered accountant. 

“I love being able to support the organisation and contributing to helping and changing more lives.”

Richard Worth - Trustee

Richard was inspired to work with Bluebell Wood after seeing how a family he knew benefited from respite and support.

He spent 25 years as a Consultant Physician together with various management responsibilities.

“It’s enormously rewarding to be part of an organisation that brings laughter and happiness to children and young people with life limiting illnesses and their families.”

Claire Davis - Trustee

Claire is a Charted Accountant and brings many years of experience in the business world to Bluebell Wood.

Currently the Mergers and Acquisitions Director at Grant Thornton, Claire has previously held a role as a governor at a Sheffield special school and is a trustee at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre Trust.

“Being a trustee at such a fantastic charity is an opportunity for me to once again get involved in something totally different to the corporate world I’m used to, while letting the two worlds collide a little by bringing some of my business expertise and network of contacts to Bluebell Wood.”

Rum Thomas - Trustee

Rum has a longstanding working relationship with Bluebell Wood through her work in paediatrics at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

She has been a Consultant in Paediatric Critical Care at the hospital for 11 years and is passionate about using her specialist knowledge and experience to help families make precious memories in the time they have together.

“It is a huge privilege to contribute to developing care for children with life-threatening and life-shortening conditions at Bluebell Wood to have the best possible quality of life, whilst also supporting their families and the communities around them."

Allan Skelton - Trustee

Allan has taken on several events in support of Bluebell Wood over the years, and is now using his professional expertise to help make a difference.

A solicitor by profession, Allan is Legal Counsel and Company Secretary at global engineering firm, Sheffield Forgemasters. He brings a wealth of legal, corporate governance and compliance expertise to the charity and is very much looking forward using his skills to help guide Bluebell Wood through the months and years ahead.

“Bluebell Wood is a fantastic charity that helps families in incredibly difficult circumstances, and something that I am very proud to be a part of.”

Stephen Hall - Trustee

Stephen was keen to become a trustee of Bluebell Wood because of the difference they make to people’s lives.

He has worked as a HR professional for over 20 years, across a number of different businesses and is now Head of People for a social housing provider.

“I’m really proud to be a part of Bluebell Wood.  You can see the impact the team makes to the families they work with, and being able to contribute to such a great cause is quite humbling.”

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