Patrons, Trustees, Advisers, Staff

Margaret became ill with ME/CFS in 1989 after coming into contact with sheep dip on her farm. She was an elected hereditary peer and a crossbench member of the House of Lords where she held a number of distinguished positions, including Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chair of Committees. She became Deputy Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on ME (APPG), established and chaired Forward-ME and has had a distinguished career advocating for ME/CFS. Her passionate and effective campaigning won widespread support from the patient community. She became a patron of the charity in 2015 and retired from public service in 2021.

John is a distinguished English composer and conductor associated mainly with choral music. He developed ME/CFS after contracting Chicken Pox from his son and was badly affected for many years. ‘Gloria’, ‘Requiem’, ‘Magnificat’, ‘Mass of the Children’, ‘The Gift of Life’, and ‘Visions’, are widely performed around the world, and many of his shorter pieces such as ‘The Lord bless you and keep you’, ‘For the beauty of the earth’, ‘Look at the world’, and ‘All things bright and beautiful’ have become ‘standards’. He was appointed patron of the charity in 2014.

Neil was a lawyer with a large company before becoming ill with ME/CFS and taking early-retirement.

• He became Chairman in 2004 and is involved with the charity on a daily basis.
• Neil has been integral in making the charity financially stable and ensuring it is able to meet its primary objectives: supporting, informing, and investing in medical research.

Charles worked in a variety of hospital posts, from general surgery to infectious diseases. He wanted to become a GP, but ME/CFS intervened after he caught Chicken Pox from a patient.

• He became a Trustee and Honorary Medical Adviser more than 20 years ago and contributes to the charity’s efforts on a daily basis.
• Charles coordinates the Ramsay Research Fund, writes much of the charity’s medical literature, comments on social media, regularly contributes to the charity’s magazines, attends conferences and external meetings, and provides interviews and expert comment to the press.
• He is an acknowledged expert on Post-Viral Fatigue Syndromes, ME/CFS, and Long Covid, and is a highly respected champion of the patient community.

Martine began her career in radio, then moved into press, then tourism/destination marketing and promotion.

• Her career was interrupted by ME/CFS, but she has improved and is now able to run her own business.
• She has a sterling reputation and wealth of experience in PR and marketing.

Martine is also the charity’s Campaigns Director and works with Team Creative and external agencies to plan and implement initiatives that aim to drive the charity forward in more focused and effective ways to reach more people and better serve the community.

Ewan has had ME/CFS since 1989 after contracting a ‘flu-like’ illness that meant he had to give up his career.

• He joined the charity as a Trustee in 2004 having been involved in local advocacy efforts.
• Based in Glasgow, Ewan remains involved in local and national efforts to establish equitable healthcare for people with ME/CFS and is the charity’s Scotland representative.

• David has spent all his career working in Computing and Information Technology. He founded his own business in 1995 to provide IT services and support to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
• In 2002 he was asked to take over and run IT services for the ME Association. In 2012 he became an Associate Trustee and in January 2023 he was appointed a Full Trustee and Deputy Chairman.

He is involved on an almost daily basis and is chairman of the Audit, Investment, and Risk Committee, advising and assisting on the financial and smooth running of the charity.

• Nicki is a mother of two adults with ME/CFS and knows how devastating this illness can be. In her family’s experience, psychological and behavioural approaches for ME/CFS are at worst harmful and at best supportive – but do not improve the underlying disease which causes disability and suffering.
• As an associate trustee, mother and campaigner, she is passionate about achieving the charity’s goal of discovering effective treatments and one day even a cure.
• Nicki believes in working collaboratively with those who share the charity’s aims to raise awareness and understanding among the medical profession and the general public – and she feels hopeful about the progress that has been made in recent years.

George was diagnosed with ME/CFS in early 2020. The resources from the ME Association (MEA) helped her to understand and manage the symptoms. George appreciates and understands the important work of the third sector, and that without charities like the MEA, people with ME/CFS would be left with little to no support and have to manage alone.

Having experienced severe, short, and prolonged relapses, George wants to support others with how to manage with this debilitating disease in any way possible. This could be on a larger strategic scale such as influencing policy with local authorities and the devolved nations, or something as small and simple as finding tips to help with a household chore, things that will allow those who are living with ME to live as independently as possible.

George is part of a departmental senior management team at Cardiff University, where she leads a team to support the student IT system (which has almost 50,000 users). George enjoys working with a variety of people across the university to ensure students and staff are supported throughout the academic year and that work is aligned with university priorities.

George is passionate about bringing her strategic leadership skills, coupled with her own lived experience of the condition, to the role of Associate Trustee. Outside of work, George loves her border collie, Cam, who she takes on walks and paddle boarding adventures. In the winter months, George and her husband attend ice hockey games supporting their favourite team the Cardiff Devils.

Mike Mitchell has had two careers. He first served as an officer and Captain (briefly) on British merchant ships for close to 13 years. He left the sea to study law and then qualified as a solicitor. His practice was in maritime law specialising in disputes arising from ship casualties – collisions, groundings, oil pollution, and salvage. Mike retired from partnership in 2017 and has been working until recently as a consultant. He is a parish councillor. He enjoys a variety of pastimes, including sailing, the practise of celestial navigation, golf and reading; and, although less so, gardening.

• David leads Primas Law’s employment team and has over 20 years’ experience as a specialist employment law solicitor.
• He has been a source of advice and support to ME Connect for 7 years, and in the last 2 years ago he became the charity’s honorary employment adviser.
• David has a close family member who has had to contend with ME/CFS for the last 15 years; it is a cause that is very close to home.
• He provides expert advice to people with the condition following a referral from ME Connect and offers a 30-minute initial consultation for free.
• David also contributes to the literature produced by the charity and to ME Essential when his other work allows.

• Lisa is an accredited counselling psychologist with both the British Psychological Society and the Health and Care Professions Council.
• She is currently working in the NHS and in private practice with people who have long-term health conditions.
• As well as contributing to the charity’s mental health literature, Lisa has been volunteering as an ME Connect helpline supervisor since 2013.

• Nigel has long advocated for children and young people with ME/CFS and often helps them when faced in inequalities of health and social care or with education provision.
• He was an expert witness for the NICE Guideline committee and contributed to the 2021 NICE Guideline on ME/CFS.
• Nigel is an acknowledged medical expert on Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome and ME/CFS and a recognised community champion.

• Richard qualified as a dentist in December 1980, and it was all he’d ever wanted to do since the age of 9. You could say that he’d ‘lived the dream’.
• He worked in Southport for 6 years before moving to his present practice on the Cheshire/Derbyshire border over 36 years ago which he has owned and managed for most of that time.
• He has always felt that it was more important for anyone with ongoing health vulnerabilities to avoid dental diseases, which in the main, are preventable.
• The other problem is accessing treatment, which of course involves finding an interested, sympathetic dentist to help. Richard still believes that most of his colleagues are in this category, although his profession has become much more difficult during his time as a dentist.
• The main reason he accepted this role was that he was asked very nicely, by a lovely woman with ME, who works for the charity and is his patient. It has not been an arduous appointment, but he’s helped many members over the years.

• Sue is a Registered Dietitian, who has a wealth of experience improving people’s health and treating illness through diet changes. Her NHS career has spanned over 44 years.
• She has been especially interested in ME/CFS after her daughter, Becki, was diagnosed in 2002, at the age of 12. For many years, the family lived with the debilitating fatigue and practical consequences of ME/CFS.
• She has been in demand as a speaker, and workshop leader, including conferences for NHS Medical and Health Professionals at Birmingham NEC (2014) and CFS Research conference (CMRC), Bristol 2018.
• For many years, she was the Dietetic representative on the executive council for the British Association of CFS/ME (BACME). She is the ME Association’s Honorary Dietetic Advisor and regarded as a leading authority on diet and ME/CFS, and Long Covid.
• Sue works with those recovering from Long Covid and has written the British Dietetic Association’s ‘Food facts: Diet and Long Covid’, in addition to contributing to ‘Food facts: Diet and ME/CFS’.
• Sue’s daughter, Becki, died in 2014, following severe mental health issues, and she dedicates her work to Becki’s legacy.

Charles worked in a variety of hospital posts, from general surgery to infectious diseases. He wanted to become a GP, but ME/CFS intervened after he caught Chicken Pox from a patient.

• He became a Trustee and Honorary Medical Adviser more than 20 years ago and contributes to the charity’s efforts on a daily basis.
• Charles coordinates the Ramsay Research Fund, writes much of the charity’s medical literature, comments on social media, regularly contributes to the charity’s magazines, attends conferences and external meetings, and provides interviews and expert comment to the press.
• He is an acknowledged expert on Post-Viral Fatigue Syndromes, ME/CFS, and Long Covid, and is a highly respected champion of the patient community.

• Ella lives in the Lake District with her daughter and rescue dog Bracken. In her former life she was a very fit and active person, but ME/CFS changed her life completely and she has had to change her expectations to match.
• She has been an independent welfare rights adviser since 2006 and joined the ME Association in July 2021.
• Ella aims to make understanding of the benefits process easier and to give people with ME/CFS (and Long Covid) the tools they need to get the help they deserve.

• Russell had spent a very enjoyable 14-year career in investment and personal finance. He worked for Lloyds Private Banking, had recently been promoted, and accepted a transfer to Jersey in the Channel Islands. In 1999 he took a holiday abroad and contracted a nasty and prolonged viral infection that led to ME/CFS.
• He joined the charity 8 years ago, first as a volunteer, working on several niche projects, before accepting a part-time position as the Website and Social Media Manager in 2017.
• As his illness stabilised and his functional abilities improved, Russell took a full-time position as Communications Manager in 2020 continuing to work from home.
• In 2022 he was charged with more responsibility and now oversees all activities relating to; fundraising, public relations, the 2 magazines, the website and website shop, literature, research reporting, benefits reporting, public information and support requests, and social media. He is responsible for related income and expenditure budgets and contributes to campaign planning and implementation.
• Russell now lives in Bude and is fortunate to have good support in place. He lives with Buster, a 17-month-old Labrador, and has recently started driving which has given him a new lease of life.

• Lee is excited to start with the ME Association and for a cause that is personal to his family.
• His background is in community and event fundraising. He worked as a fundraiser for the last 5 years for the largest national care charity, where he developed fundraising initiatives and events and implemented new strategies.
• Prior to fundraising, Lee trained as a PE teacher and worked as a specialist sports teacher. He taught fencing, archery and lacrosse to children in deprived areas. Lee was also part of a team that developed ‘The Golden Mile’ in primary schools, which is now used by over 100,000 pupils every day.
• Outside of work, Lee spends as much time as he can with his children. He enjoys football and American football, hiking and travelling to explore new places.
• Please contact Lee for your fundraising needs: lee.shergold@meassociation.org.uk

• Caroline is a freelance designer and spends a lot of her time working with the ME Association. She is designer and editor of both ME Essential and ME Medical magazines and the charity’s medical literature.
• She regards working for the ME Association to be a privilege. Her focus is on ensuring the magazines and literature provide accessible support and reliable information and help the healthcare profession better understand Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome, ME/CFS and Long Covid.
• Caroline went to art college in Cornwall and qualified as a graphic designer. Since then, she has been very lucky to work in an industry she adores, working on design for branding, print, advertising, magazines and websites. She also used to run her own lifestyle magazine.
• She loves theatre and ballet, holidays whenever she can, and spending time with family and friends. She has 3 children who are all artists and designers, a gorgeous grandson, and lives a very happy home life with her husband Barry.

• In Emma’s early career, she was a qualified staff nurse, but had to leave her career with chronic pain and fatigue which was diagnosed as Fibromyalgia. She was diagnosed with ME/CFS in 2015 during a long spell of being bedbound.
• Emma lives with her partner, Paul and her young daughter. She is the founder of Andover Fibromyalgia & ME Community Group (AFMCG) and has always been active on her AFMCG social media and supported people with ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia in many online health communities. She joined the ME Association in 2021.
• Emma had worked as a deputy editor and social media co-ordinator for several local magazines and has successfully applied and developed these skills to help the charity grow its important social media presence.

• Katrina has had ME/CFS in her life since 2009, when her younger brother was stricken by the illness. At the time she knew very little about it, until in 2013 she was hit by a nasty bout of Flu from which she never fully recovered.
• She lived a very active physical lifestyle pre-ME/CFS, with daily activities of cycling, gym workouts or climbing, which have all had to take a back seat.
• When her ME/CFS began, Katrina was 6 months into a PhD in Organic Geochemistry at the University of Bristol. It took a lot of family teamwork, perseverance and stubbornness to finally complete her studies 6 years later.
• She lives with her husband, and they had their first child in 2021, which has brought another huge change in lifestyle and joy (and continuously sleepless nights).
• With ME/CFS her interests changed, and she has thrown herself into charitable work with organisations like Barnardo’s, Action for M.E., and most recently, the ME Association, where she aims to explain important but often complex science to the patient community.
• Katrina became the charity’s Research Correspondent in 2021 and produces the weekly research update, research reviews, conference reports, and other related content.

• Ian became ill with ME/CFS in 1989 and was transformed from an independent 24-year-old living and working in London to being dependent on his parents and struggling to do the most basic of activities. He found charities and local support groups to be an invaluable source of information and support.
• He feels incredibly lucky to have been able to get back to work in the early 2000's and considers himself fully recovered. Ian fell back on his pre-illness computer training and worked from home doing freelance website design.
• He now spends most of his time looking after his two small children in North Oxfordshire. He joined the charity in 2021 and is using his considerable skills to ensure we have an effective and accessible website and website shop.

• Clare was working the 12-hour shifts of a Health Care Support Worker with the NHS, when life changed abruptly in September 2020. Unlike many people with ME, there was no specific infectious trigger that she was aware of.
• A turning point, after having to give up work, was finding that her local college provided distance learning courses – something that could be achieved in short bursts, whilst recumbent!
• Clare’s motivation was to gain a qualification which would enable her to join the ME Association’s helpline and provide support to other people. She is now a helpline volunteer and was also appointed to the position of Communications Officer in January 2023.
• Living in one of the many areas of the UK with no ME/CFS Specialist Service, the ME Association had been invaluable in helping Clare learn to manage both the physical and mental aspects of her illness.
• Now Clare is learning to appreciate her new, laid-back pace of ME life, she is grateful to be able to spend time with her family (3 generations, 2 dogs, 1 house), to gaze at the view from her North Aberdeenshire home, to read, to learn, and to listen to Classic FM.

• Karren trained as a nurse at her local hospital as soon as she left school; having known for years this was the career she wanted to follow. She spent 5 years on a medical ward before transferring to emergency medicine as a Senior Sister. She later became the Operations Capacity Manager for two hospitals, overseeing patients from their admission to discharge.
• Arthritis and chronic back pain forced her to leave this role as it became too difficult to provide the care her patients needed, and she went to work at an IVF clinic as a Fertility Nurse Specialist. Over the next few years, she began teaching and took on the role of Learning Manager supervising a team of tutors and teaching assistants before she became ill in 2015 and her hectic life changed overnight.
• Unable to recover properly from her illness she was hospitalised and underwent a barrage of blood tests, x-rays, and scans. Three years later she was finally diagnosed with ME/CFS and orthostatic intolerance. Karren, her husband, and their two teenage boys eventually moved to Staffordshire to live in a quieter, more rural area, which she loves. When her health allows, she enjoys walking along the river with her family and their 2 dogs.
• Karren has since worked as a digital communications and social media specialist for Healthwatch Stafford and Leicestershire where she designed and managed websites and social media health campaigns.
• She joined the ME Association in April 2023 and is working from home where she plans to use her knowledge of medicine, healthcare, digital communication, and her lived experience of ME/CFS to support and help others in the community. Karren is very passionate about ensuring everyone with ME/CFS has easy access to good quality health and social care.

• Anna has worked within the charitable sector over the last 10 years. She feels honoured to have the opportunity of working with another charity to support people in aiming to make improvements to their mental health.
• She has helped people in phone conversations, or by facilitating group work, to encourage forming friendships with like-minded others. In a world of struggles with mental and physical health, Anna likes to create informal and relaxed experiences and to have smiles on people’s faces by the end of each day!
• Anna completed her Master’s Degree at UWE in Health Psychology, and had previously completed her Joint Honours Degree in Counselling Studies and Psychology in Swansea.
• Her close friend has ME/CFS and Anna wanted to learn from other people how it impacts them and to extend a helping hand with the ME Association to utilise her own experiences of disability in a positive way, to support others.
• Anna loves meeting new people, is often keen to learn something new and started volunteering for the ME Association in September 2023.
• In her free time, she enjoys seeing friends, spending time with family and swimming. Anna adores cats and dogs and has a cat called Ziggy and Jack Russell called Paddy and has a keen interest in Tennis.

• Vicky is a dedicated employee who works closely with her colleagues to develop her personal understanding of the physical and emotional impact of ME/CFS.
• She joined the charity in 2012 as a part-time contractor and has since become a full-time employee. For Vicky, working for the charity is deeply rewarding, especially seeing the wonderful support given to the those within the patient communities.
• As Head of Finance and Operations, Vicky is responsible for ensuring that all statutory and company deadlines are met and for the management and operation of head office where she is based. She works closely with the Board of Trustees.
• Beyond her professional role, Vicky is a runner and an active member of the local running club. She takes part in Parkruns and marathons and enjoys the personal challenges – and welcomes the friendships – she had gained from the running community.

Gill joined the charity in January 2002 and is one of the longest serving members of staff. She looked after membership administration and then became the Office Manager while taking on the role of Company Secretary until it was no longer required by Companies House.

At the beginning of 2022 she moved to Derbyshire and was able to reduce her hours and to work from home looking after membership administration once again. In effect she has come full circle! n Gill loves working for the charity and finds everyone to be friendly and approachable

• Helen was a qualified British Gymnastics Coach and Judge. She originally volunteered for the charity and was struck by the importance of the work being done to help people with ME/CFS. When a job was offered in 2012, she welcomed the role and the extra responsibility she has assumed in the years since then.
• Helen is responsible for downloading and processing website shop orders and dealing with emails received by Head Office. She maintains the charity’s central membership database and generates the renewal and reminder letters and helps with Gift Aid reclamations.
• Outside of work, Helen enjoys golf and is very keen on American Football. She reads a lot of books and loves spending time with her grandchildren. She is busy working through her bucket list of activities which has included driving a steam train and completing the UK’s longest and world’s fastest zip-line!

• Angie is married with two grown up boys. She has a border collie and has to enjoy walking, managing 5 kms a day! She’s worked in various roles including many years in retail, and in management at BP. She has had her own cleaning business and assisted in the preparation of events at a private school.
• She retrained as a pharmacy dispenser which she thoroughly enjoyed, but after contracting Covid she decided to leave and joined the charity in 2021. Her role includes helping with new memberships, renewals, and donations, dealing with queries on the phone, liaising with suppliers and employees of the charity, and taking payments and orders for merchandise from the shop.
• She loves working for the ME Association and helping people, regarding her employment as the best decision she ever made.

• David is semi-retired after many years in the automotive and photographic industries.
• He is now working at Head Office in Gawcott, Buckingham sending out leaflets, T-shirts, and New Member packs etc. and checking incoming mail.
• His hobbies include, writing, recording and playing his own songs, motorcycling, and learning how to garden by trowel and error.
• He has been enjoying his time at Head Office for just over 1 year and yet no-one can make his coffee correctly.
• David is also head of archiving and light entertainment at the office.

• Debbie has worked for the ME Association for just over 3 years and really enjoys the varied, caring work and being part of a lovely team. She loves the opportunity to make a positive difference to people’s lives.
• She previously worked for many years as a legal secretary, was a partner in a family business, worked with young children in schools and playgroups, and for 10 years in the NHS in a variety of administrative roles.
• Debbie used to enjoy all types of sports but had to give most things up due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Having had the condition for at least 25 years, it helps her to empathise with the frustration, difficulties and pain that people with ME/CFS experience.
• For many years she has practiced qigong and meditation which she finds can help to ‘recharge my batteries’. She facilitates a group for The Compassionate Friends, for bereaved parents, which has led to her befriending some amazing people.
• Debbie’s a big animal and nature lover and when able, enjoys walking in the countryside. She has 2 daughters and 1 teenage granddaughter. She loves to potter in her garden, roaring log fires, and a good book.

• Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in finance/accounting and has worked for a wide range of companies from large well-known businesses to SME's.
• She has mostly worked in industry but spent a few years working in accounting practices as well. Sarah had to give up employed work due to ME/CFS a few years ago and has been working as a freelance bookkeeper since then. Sarah is very pleased to be able to work for the ME Association.
• Outside of work, her energy is mostly taken up with family but she looks forward to the day when she can get back to doing all the things she used to enjoy!

• Theresa is married and her husband has had ME/CFS since 2005. They have 1 grown up daughter (and 4 cats!). In her spare time, she enjoys driving classic cars and meeting fellow enthusiasts. Travel is another passion, including weekends away in the UK and travelling abroad, especially to America.
• She worked in the NHS for 43 years. Upon qualifying as an SRN, she worked on a busy surgical ward, and became a Sister and Nursing Officer in charge of two surgical units. This was followed by an exciting role as Sister in charge of the ‘Flying Squad’ in A & E and dealing with motorway accidents and other critical events.
• She then moved to being Senior Sister in A& E, running the nursing team, dealing with life threatening illnesses, carrying out specialist procedures including suturing faces and fingers. She became a Senior Sister within the surgical sector with the additional responsibility of being in charge of the whole hospital in the evening.
• As if those challenges weren’t enough, Theresa completed 3 nursing degrees in her 40s and 50s: District Nursing, Community Practice Teaching, and Advanced Specialist Practitioner in District Nursing. Her work as an ASPDN resulted in the Queens Nurse Award for Innovation in District Nursing!
• After 2 years of retirement Theresa joined the ME Association as an Assistant to Vicky Smith. In this role she focuses mainly on the charity’s finances predominantly managing PayPal, and tracking payments of invoices and bills. She also helps with the post and with stock control and other general office duties.

• Hilary has managed the charity’s telephone helpline for 20 years and looks after over 20 volunteers from across the UK.
• She has ME/CFS and is able to work part-time from home. She holds an MSc in Research and a Counselling Diploma.
• Hilary loves spending time with her husband Don, her son and adorable grandson, enjoys being outside in the Peak District, and her hobby of ancestry research.

• Glenys became a volunteer with ME Connect in 2006 having had to give up her job as a primary school teacher due to Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS which were diagnosed in 2001.
• As well as her weekly shift on the Helpline, Glenys assists with interviewing and training new volunteers.
• She also volunteers for the NSPCC’s school’s service, enjoys knitting, jigsaws and spending time with her 2 delightful little granddaughters.

• Sue has been a volunteer with ME Connect for about 20 years.
• She works on the helpline each week, and also leads the ‘Volunteers Connect’ group, where volunteers can come together and chat in confidence about their helpline experiences.
• Sue was a physiotherapist until she got ME/CFS and retired early. She has recovered sufficiently to lead a full and rewarding life.
• She lives in the New Forest with her husband Ray, where they enjoy walking. Sue loves dressmaking and studying local history, as well as volunteering with the local hospice.