I am Professor of Paediatric Oncology at the University of Birmingham and the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. I became a Trustee of a Child of Mine when it was first launched and am honoured to be still involved in this amazing organisation.

I first met Gayle when I treated her son Lewis for a type of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma. Lewis, Gayle and her family went through a long and challenging journey of intensive treatment but tragically Lewis lost his life to this aggressive disease. In the following weeks and months, I learnt from Gayle how inadequate and impersonal support services were for families who lose their child. I learnt what really mattered and what was missing and was inspired by Gayle’s determination to fill this gap by setting up a Child of Mine. It was a privilege to be asked to support this charity as a Trustee.

In my day job, I continue to work at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital treating children with a range of different types of cancer. I also work at the University of Birmingham as Director of the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences and Director of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, where I am committed to research to develop better treatments for patients with cancer. I am also the current President of the European Society of Paediatric Oncology.

I am married to Jules and we live in Wheaton Aston in Staffordshire and I spend a lot of my free time cycling around the country roads in Staffordshire and Shropshire or if we can get away, walking in the wonderful landscape of the Lake District!

Hi. My name is Catherine Andrews and I am a trustee of A Child of Mine. I became involved with the charity when it was evolving when I was a Development Officer with Stafford District Voluntary Services.

I am married to Richard and have two grown up children - Lindsey and James. Lindsey works alongside Gayle at the charity's Our Space sessions which are held once a month and work with children between the ages of 8 and 18. James has also been involved in the past by helping to make teas and coffees at the monthly Sunshine and Rainbows playgroups. Richard also gets involved so it is a real family affair!

During my working life I have worked within the building society industry, been self employed, providing administration and bookkeeping services to small businesses near Penkridge, a mum and carer, a Business Management lecturer at a local college, an administrator, a Project Manager and Development Officer within the third sector.

I have been A Child of Mine's Secretary now for over three years. I enjoy being involved with the charity and watching it grow from strength to strength and reach out to help and support more and more families. I am proud to be a trustee and enjoy getting involved in activities as much as possible.

Hello, my name is Helen Taylor and I was first introduced to A Child of Mine after loosing my daughter Jessie in December 2015 when she was just 16 weeks old. We first attended the sunshine and rainbows group after our specialist nurse from the Royal Stoke hospital recommended we go. We felt very at ease at the group with my words to Gayle afterwards being “how normal everyone looked”. I can laugh at that now! We all now look forward to sunshine and rainbows each month. I also used the Star Café groups in my “early days” which was of huge benefit to talk to a small group of bereaved parents in a comfortable environment either by myself or with my children. My husband is looking forward to being involved with the new dads group ‘forever fathers’.

I became a trustee in January 2018 after answering an advert on Facebook as I wanted to learn something new. I enjoy my role as a trustee look forward to expanding my role in the future as A Child of Mine continues to grow. As a family we have benefited from the support provided by A Child of Mine and I am passionate about expanding our support and reaching more families.

Away from A Child of Mine I work part time as a staff nurse and I live in Newcastle-under-Lyme with my husband David, our two sons Jake and Jared and dog Charlie.