Our Trustees

The trustees are responsible for the strategic direction of the Centre and for oversight of the daily running of the Centre, which is devolved to the Centre Director who leads a small central management team. 

There are currently 11 trustees, bringing their own skills to the benefit of the Centre: four have a neurological condition, three are Carers and four more bring additional, necessary professional skills and experience.

Lorraine Dodd (Chair)

I have been a Trustee since 2015 and I am the Treasurer as well as chairing the Finance group.

I have known about the work of the Centre for many years and, in my professional life as an investment director, I had a number of clients living with MS or Parkinsons. I retired from Rathbones in late 2014. When I finished work, I jumped at the chance to get involved here and to use my financial skills to support the Centre.

I have been a non-executive director in the NHS, first of all with the Liverpool Women’s Hospital and then, from 2000 to 2012 with Alder Hey, latterly as the Vice-Chair.

I live up in the Clwyd hills of North Wales, together with my husband. I love my garden but it’s a challenge at over 800ft with the normal rain, frost and wind to contend with.

 

Ted Rose (Vice - Chairman)

I have been a Trustee at the Centre since 2012 as I wanted to express my gratitude by giving something back for the help I had received with my dual diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis.

I am a retired Consultant Cardiologist and former Medical Director of Warrington and Halton Hospital Trust.

I was a rugby player, squash player, tri-athlete and more recently a Nordic Walking Instructor. I was still swimming, cycling and walking on a regular basis until symptoms worsened last year leading to treatment with a Deep Brain Stimulator which is starting to have a noticeable benefit.

Mike Martin

Born fortuitously as a Glaswegian I have been a Trustee at the Centre since 2009.

Now retired I worked in various capacities in international organisations, focusing upon the application of IT, to improve business performance (I must declare that I don’t like computers although I use them all the time).

I am also a Justice of the Peace in Chester although I no longer sit as a Magistrate.

Louise Eccleston

I became a trustee in 2015. I first attended a fundraising lunch for businesses connecting the Centre with the City and those of us who work there. This became a regular event so I was able to learn more about the Centre.

I am a Solicitor and have practised for almost 25 years, 22 years in Chester. I help clients with Wills and handle finance for those unable to manage themselves. I look after trusts and then administering client’s estates on their death.

I have the privilege to chat to clients in all walks of life and often meet people with health issues. Knowing more about the Centre and its work has allowed me to recommend it to a number of people.

I love walking my dog on the Clwydian hills and sometimes his friends, especially when the sun shines.

John Brierley

I was diagnosed with MS in 2000 whilst working as a consultant in the Aerospace industry, mainly for Rolls Royce Aero Engines. 

My disability, mainly affecting my legs, forced me to retire in 2004. We moved from a house in mid-Cheshire to a bungalow in Chester.

I became a member of the Centre in 2009 and was invited by the late Tim Cotton to become a Trustee in 2010.

I have been fortunate enough to retain my trusteeship since then.

Until 2016 I was an active member and regularly visited the Centre 2-3 times a week. Since then, my mobility problems have restricted me to one hour a week during the 6 week NET cycle.  

Wendy Faulkner

I became a Trustee at the Centre in 2017. Although I've been involved since 2002 when my husband was diagnosed with MS.

I've been volunteering for many years delivering the oxygen therapy and currently help on Mondays. I also visit the Centre on Tuesdays to do the shopping for the kitchen, and help with washing the dishes and updating the notice boards.

In my previous life I was a teacher which was my dream job and one to which I would return any day.

My nickname is “busy”- so you know what they say. I am at the Centre to help/listen -  just ask.

Justin Clayton

I became a Trustee in 2017 when I was introduced by a former colleague at a network event and subsequently met Lorraine Dodd, an existing Trustee at the Centre, and the rest as they say is history.

I have worked in Human Resources for over 20 years now in multiple industries. The public sector in terms of universities and the NHS as well as the private sector in manufacturing, retail, aviation and logistics.

My rationale for joining and assisting the great work of the Centre was, to “Give something back” if I can, by sharing my experience and expertise gathered over the years.

Outside of work, I am married to Jane and have a step-daughter Lamese. Any spare time is spent on a game of golf or walking my trusty pooch, Keela.

 

Alex Merry

I have officially joined the Trustee board from September 2019.

Having had a 30 year career in Banking, which included sitting on the Regional Corporate Credit Board for 12 years and Relationship Management with large Corporate clients, I wished to contribute to the financial and strategic aspects of the Centre.

I now work part-time with the National Trust and am a Director/Trustee of two other charities and am also a Community Councillor in my local area.

My interests include country houses and castles, reading, politics and travelling. Outside of work, I am married to Jane and have a step-daughter Lamese. Any spare time is spent on a game of golf or walking my trusty pooch, Keela.

Barbara Burke

I was a Principal in General Practice  in Frodsham for 32 years  until my retirement in 2003. I was also a Hospital Practitioner in Dermatology at Halton General Hospital.

I was diagnosed with a Primary Progressive MS in 2002 and have attended the Centre for the Pilates class since 2017. I enjoy this class and have benefited from it. Thus,  when invited to become a Trustee, I agreed,  on the basis that it is time to “give something back”.

My main hobby is gardening, somewhat limited these days, and also  ‘kitchen table bridge’! I have five grandchildren.

Chris Jones

I have been a member of the Centre since October 2018 after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s.  Having found the services very helpful I volunteered to be a Trustee in July 2019 hoping to be able to give some support.to the Centre.

I worked for many years as a chemical engineer for ICI and its offshoot European Vinyls Corporation.  After working on our PVC plants, I was technology licensing manager which involved travelling to and working in many countries around the world.  Selling our technology, designing and commissioning new plants meant solving many problems and learning about many nationalities. 

Since retiring I completed enough modules with the Open University to gain a BSc.  It was interesting to learn more about a variety of new topics.  I have always been interested in hill walking and natural history and photography.  The Parkinson’s limits hill walking and skiing but I do what I can.

Derek Sanders

I was born and raised in Birmingham, went to school in West Bromwich and obtained a degree in Chemistry and Biology from Aston University. I became a science teacher and for the majority of my career was Head of Chemistry at a school on the Wirral. I am now retired. I am a full time carer for my wife Rosalyn, who has MS. We attend the Centre twice a week where Ros has physio classes. We are both members of the Movers Shakers choir.

I applied to become a trustee as I felt it was a way to give something back to the Centre for all it has done for Ros over the past 3 years of our membership.

I enjoy reading, listening to music, particularly blues and I try hard to play guitar.