Our Volunteers

Support Services Manager

I am a retired nurse who previously worked in the NHS and private sector for over 30 years. When my daughter was diagnosed with IBC in 2011 I quickly became aware that there was no UK-specific support, advice or information readily available regarding this rare breast cancer.

After setting up a UK patient support group it soon became obvious that a charity was the way forward to fund IBC research and to educate the public and health professionals in the UK. As a result I founded The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK.

I have spent the last 10 years working alongside medical experts in the UK and USA to gain knowledge of IBC treatment protocols which enables me to give our patient and family group members the most up-to-date information in IBC care.

Support Service Assistant

I was diagnosed with IBC in 2021 at the age of 45. The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK support group was a key lifeline during my treatment and I will be forever grateful, not only for the support the group provides, but also for the valuable knowledge I learned about the disease and the recommended International Standard of Care for IBC which is crucial to ensuring gold standard care for this orphan disease. It is my pleasure to be able to give back to the charity in any way I can and I’m quite honoured to take on this role.

Admin Assistant

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Grade 3 inflammatory breast cancer in 2012 when I was in my mid 40s, and thankfully I am still No Evidence of Disease (as of 2023). I joined the charity because I wanted to give something back to help others affected by this rare and aggressive cancer which doesn’t get much coverage from the charities that are household names in the UK. I have been following the charity since it started and I am honoured to be offered a post as a volunteer.

I am a Chemical Engineer by profession, and I work full time as a safety engineer, writing safety cases and safety assessments of changes to plant design and operating procedures. I work as a consultant for several different customers so the work is very varied. There is an internet quote that an engineer is someone who solves problems you didn’t know you had in ways you don’t understand, and this is very much what I do!

I live in Bristol with my husband, and we enjoy travelling and exploring the world when we’re not working. We have been to Nepal, Tibet, Ethiopia, the Galapagos Islands, Madagascar, and many parts of Central and South America. Our next planned trip is to Greenland. We also enjoy hiking in the UK and exploring wildlife and local history and we found lots of interesting local places within walking distance of our home during lockdown. I also like gardening and photography.

Website Manager

I am currently working as a Full Stack Software Developer at BSW Group, but for the charity I primarily work on developing and maintaining the Charity Website and Infrastructure. My passion lies in programming, gaming, and all things nerdy, and I take great pride in using my technical skills to contribute to meaningful projects.

In 2017, my mother was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). This life-changing event fueled my desire to give back to the community and raise awareness about this rare and aggressive disease. Since then, I have been dedicated to supporting IBC charities, leveraging my expertise to enhance their digital presence and outreach.

Recently, I moved to the coast with my wife and daughter. Together, we are committed to raising awareness and support for IBC. Through my work and personal life, I am devoted to making a positive impact, both in the tech world and in the lives of those affected by IBC.

Website Coordinator

Like many people, I hadn't heard of Inflammatory Breast Cancer until the diagnosis of a loved one. My mam was diagnosed in August 2017 and throughout her treatment and recovery received a great deal of support and reassurance from The IBC Network UK.

When the opportunity to volunteer as a Website Assistant came about I was delighted to be able to give something back to such a brilliant cause. In my day job I'm an Internal Communications Manager with another charity, the National Trust, providing strategic support and advice in the planning and delivery of a variety of internal communications campaigns.

I'm originally from Morpeth, Northumberland but have recently moved to Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland. In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors; running, hiking and walking my dog Violet.