Bethan Peach Expand Professor Bethan Peach (nee Lang) carried out her PhD research in the laboratory of Eric Barnard on the role of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors and after graduating, joined John Newsom-Davis myasthenia research group in Oxford until retirement in 2017. Her research at Oxford determined that Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) was also caused by antibodies, which led to the use of steroids and other immunosuppressant drugs and to a much improved diagnostic blood test. Bethan is now a trustee of myaware and is currently chair of the medical/scientific committee. Married with two daughters, in her spare time she looks after her two grandchildren, multiple rabbits and chickens and pretends to enjoy watching her football team QPR.
Andrew Robinson - Treasurer Expand Andrew lives in Halifax, West Yorkshire. He and his wife have been involved with myaware since their daughter was diagnosed with myasthenia aged one. They are both members of the Brighouse support group. Andrew enjoy spending time with his family, walking and cycling. He is a chartered certified accountant. He has worked for a major building society and has been director of a textiles company and a property company. He is currently the finance manager of a theatrical organisation and also has his own bookkeeping business.
Jon Rio Expand Jon lives in Stafford with his partner and dog (an Olde English Bulldogge called Bruce) having lived in central Birmingham since 2006, but originally hails from the South West. At the University of the West of England in Bristol, he studied Economics and now works at a trade credit insurer as Head of Policy Management & Operational Excellence. He was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 2009 whilst training for the London Marathon, had a thymectomy the following year and has since seen his condition stabilise with medication. Jon has been a member of myaware since his diagnosis and found the support valuable in understanding the condition and meeting others with it. Appointed as a Trustee of myaware in 2016, he is also on the Finance Committee – utilising his previous experience in credit analysis in addition to his current background in operations.
Rashmi Rungta Expand Rashmi has been working in a wide variety of technology and management consulting roles across multiple continents and industries for over 25 years. She has successfully setup high-growth, profitable business units and also delivered national and international expansions for SMEs. She serves on several boards including private and charity and is a school governor as well. She started experiencing Myasthenia symptoms at the age of 6 months and it took a good couple of years to actually diagnose the exact condition. Having been born and brought up in India, she was treated in the US with a thymectomy at the age of 7 years from UCLA and was also a research patient at NIH Bethesda at 10, as she was the only youngest patient to have ever developed generalised Myasthenia with no family history whatsoever. Not having known normalcy, she has managed her condition and her professional journey, not willing to let anything hold her back as much as possible. She has had a few relapses on and off and is currently on immunosuppressants. She is independent, has travelled extensively and lived in different continents. She is multilingual, enjoys spending time with friends and family, walking and volunteering with various charities in her free time. She has done 2 half-marathon night walks and a few 5 – 10Ks as well. Having experienced the condition first-hand her whole life and faced multiple challenges growing up, she is keen to work collaboratively with the board to raise the awareness as well as listening to others and sharing her personal journey.
Tony Ferrari Expand Tony is the Senior Risk and Assurance Manager at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust. With a background in Governance, Procurement, Emergency and Risk Management in the NHS, Local and Central Government, having spent his career in the Public Sector. He lives in Oxfordshire with his wife, they have two adult children. He was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in 2018 at the age of 57 and discovered Myaware the same day, having immediately looked up Myasthenia on his phone as not surprisingly had little knowledge of the condition. He found the website a valuable source of information and assistance especially in those early days. He has managed to carry on in full time work as his symptoms are reasonably well controlled by medication and strives to lead a normal life as possible. He has previous experience as a charity trustee, has served on committees for various organisations, national clubs, other charities and British Cycling. A mountain bike racer when younger, then an International Cycling Official for 25 years, only retiring from this after diagnosis. He also raced motorcycles off-road in cross country rallies, right up until diagnosis. No longer able to compete, he now helps organise competitive motorcycle navigation rallies.
Fiona Norwood Expand Fiona Norwood has been a Consultant Neurologist at King’s College Hospital in London since 2005. She has a particular clinical interest in myasthenia gravis and genetic muscle disorders and runs these specialist services in the south-east of England. Her focus in recent years is on improving the clinical service provision for those affected by myasthenia and muscle diseases as well as enabling access to emerging treatments for selected disorders. She specialises in myasthenia and pregnancy and has published accordingly. She has a laboratory research background in molecular genetics and protein biochemistry, working at Guy’s Hospital and then the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. Outside work she enjoys playing golf and attempting to grow unusual plants and vegetables.
Claire Wen Expand Claire is a charitable partnerships specialist and is currently the Foundations Manager at UNICEF UK. She manages funding partnerships supporting children around the world, including humanitarian response, health, education, and child protection. She has previously worked at international organisations such as UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and Lumos. Claire graduated from the University of Sussex with a BA in International Relations and an MA in Gender, Conflict and Violence (International Development). Claire was born with CMS and was diagnosed at 10 months old at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She has learnt to live with and manage her condition in daily life, and has deeply valued the support, advice and community at myaware. She lives in London and in her free time, Claire enjoys lifting weights at the gym, spending time with family and friends, meditation and travelling.
Sarah Cuthell - CEO Expand Sarah joined myaware in May 2012 as regional organiser for the North West. She has worked in the charity sector for over twenty years and feels very fortunate to have met lots of wonderful people whilst doing what she considers to be the best job in the world. Sarah likes to spend as much time as she can with her family and friends as well as drawing, reading, and exploring new places. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290219 3
Jamie Caple - Accounts & Compliance Manager Expand Jamie initially joined myaware on ‘work experience’ and was subsequently offered a full-time job in April 2006. Over the years, he has enjoyed his time at myaware and achieved several qualifications along the way, including advanced bookkeeping and GDPR practitioner. Jamie enjoys watching films, reading books, and exploring the local pubs. He has been with his wife since 2012 and, between them, they have a huge family which they cherish spending time with. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290 219
Helen Critchlow - National Fundraising Manager Expand Helen joined myaware in 2017 as Regional Fundraiser for the Midlands and then became Partnerships & Events Fundraiser in 2021. During this time, she has spoken to, emailed, and met many of you to offer support with planning your fundraising events and activities. Helen took the role of National Fundraising Manager in July 2022 and is Iooking forward to leading the Fundraising Team to ensure all fundraising opportunities are maximised and that our loyal supporters and donors continue to be recognised and valued. In her leisure time Helen enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking in the hills around her Peak District home, and swimming at both her local indoor pool and lido. Email: [email protected] Telephone:01332 290 219
Vicki Atherton National Support Manager Expand Vicki joined myaware in October 2022. She has extensive experience of working in the voluntary sector in various support focused roles and has worked as a manager for a user led disability charity. Vicki is responsible for leading our support team and developing the services provided to our members. She enjoys an active lifestyle and likes to get out running and hiking in her spare time, she also loves music and seeing it live. Vicki lives in Cheshire with her two children and cat Kiki.
Jackie Thornhill - Office Manager Expand Jackie started working at myaware in 2001 and became office manager in January 2011. Jackie role is to deliver effective management of the Derby office and provide administrative support. To help provide excellent support to members of the charity and their families. To promote the missions, aims and objectives of myaware. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290 219
Christine Cooke - Accounts Officer Expand Christine joined myaware in April 2018 and she works alongside Jamie. Her main duties include managing the income received, payments, banking, petty cash and thanking people for their donations. She originally comes from East Yorkshire and worked in an Accounts job for 17 years before moving down to Derbyshire in August 2017 with her dog Jessie. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290219
Chris Millard - IT, Web & Design Officer Expand Chris has been working for myaware since February 2020. He has a vast background in business management and creative media and teaching. Prior to joining myaware, he worked extensively across the educational sector. When he isn't in front of computers, you can find him spending time with his family or drumming! Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290 219
Charlotte Campbell - Research & Partnerships Officer Expand Charlotte is a new member of staff at myaware and joined in October 2022. She holds a degree in genetics and is completing her doctoral thesis on the medical imaging of cholera. She feels her new role at myaware will allow her to foster her passion for healthcare and the improvement of patient outcomes through research. Charlotte is an avid football enthusiast of the American and European variety and plays Dungeons and Dragons weekly. She lives in Glasgow with her partner, and her Patterdale terrier Mitzy.
Suzanne Molloy - Administrator Expand Suzanne is one of our Administration staff. She has been with the charity since 2008. Suzanne worked as a fundraiser for 11 years specialising in raising money from grant making trusts and foundations. Suzanne now works as a full-time administrator and is enjoying her new role, which includes providing administrative and clerical support to maintain the smooth running of the charity, answering incoming calls, signposting members, supporters, and donors to relevant departments. She has a daughter and a little poochon dog called Bella. Email: [email protected]Telephone: 01332 290 219
Lianne Wallis - Administrator Expand Lianne joined myaware in 2019 working as an Administrator, assisting the Office Manager with all administrative tasks. Part of Lianne’s role includes the distribution of newsletters and other mass mailings, managing membership, and updating member consent information. Lianne also provides support to members via the telephone, by signposting them to the relevant members of our Support Team. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290 219
Sarah Bailey - National Support Co-ordinator Expand Sarah is one of our part-time National Support Co-ordinators. Having originally joined myaware in 2013 as a volunteer when her partner was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, she then moved on to be an assistant Regional Organiser before taking up her current role in June 2021. She has a varied background including accounts, headhunting and Montessori teaching. Sarah enjoys lots of things, particularly anything relating to travel and food, and likes to relax with yoga, swimming, friends, and family - and Travis, the spirited miniature schnauzer! General Support Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 949 161
Tracey Maitland - National Support Co-ordinator Expand Tracey is a member of our National Support Co-ordinators team. She joined Myaware in September 2017 as a support worker for the Midlands area She was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 2003 and she now hopes that helping members with their journeys will be both rewarding and beneficial. Tracey loves all things, music, theatre, and travel and combines all these whenever possible! Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 949 161
Laura Maloney - National Support Co-ordinator Expand Laura joined the national support co-ordinator team in May 2023. Laura has worked across the healthcare sector, offering signposting, support, and guidance for over ten years. She has experience supporting individuals with myasthenia and looks forward to supporting myaware members. In her free time, Laura enjoys listening to audiobooks, and spending time with friends and family. Laura is passionate about maintaining and improving quality of life, and she looks forward to meeting and supporting members in her role as National Support Coordinator.
Lee Owen - Individual Giving Fundraiser Expand Lee joined our Fundraising Team in October 2021. Since the beginning of 2020 he has raised over £15,000 for different charities, including myaware. He has worked in the charity sector for seven years and is keen to support myaware’s donors and supporters through their fundraising ‘journeys.’ Lee’s wife has myasthenia gravis and his Grandad also lived with it too. He feels very honoured to be able to be a part of the myaware team Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 949 162