THE BACK-UP TRUST - Key Persons
Abigail joined Back Up in January 2020 with broad experience gained from a variety of organisations across the private, public and third sector. This includes Scope and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Abigail grew up as a child carer, this lived experience makes her appreciate the truly transformative impact that Back Up has on people's lives. Abigail is a passionate proponent of community and is keen to champion the amazing work of volunteers, as well as the peer led approach to Back Up's services. She has day to day responsibility for ensuring that Back Up and its people thrive, through the development and delivery of the strategy, in consultation with the board and key stakeholders. Outside work, Abigail loves open water swimming and is an avid traveller who is always up for an adventure.
Alice Ridley** Mentoring Team Leader Alice first learnt of Back Up when they supported her family after her cousin sustained a spinal cord injury on a school rugby trip in South Africa. In 2019, Alice embarked on a career change after 10 years as a Professional Dancer, travelling the world with various shows. She wanted to use the skills she had developed over the years with her lived experience to help support other family members whose loved ones have sustained a spinal cord injury. Within her role as Mentoring Team Lead, she also runs the day-to-day coordination of the Family Mentoring Service, connecting family members who are often feeling isolated and alone to others who understand. In her spare time, Alice loves adventure and often will be found wild swimming or hiking in the Lake District with her Husband. ×
Job Titles:
- Volunteer Development Manager
Ally is our Volunteer Development Manager and takes a lead, across Back Up, on the management, training and engagement of Back Up's wonderful team of over 300 volunteers. Ally has seen Back Up grow hugely since joining in 2008. She is motivated by working with volunteers and ensuring the volunteering experience is the best it can be. Outside office hours, Ally is kept busy by her two children and enjoys family time with them and her partner, although loves child free time when she can get it!
Job Titles:
- Head of Services Strategic Partnerships
Injured in a rugby accident, Andy first got involved with Back Up through volunteering in the office. In that time he worked across the team, gaining a great insight into how the charity operates whilst becoming a wheelchair skills trainer and group leader. Andy became an Outreach & Support Coordinator, before moving into management of the Outreach team followed by Head of Services. He is now Back Up's Head of Services Strategic Partnerships, developing our work across the UK. Andy is still an avid rugby follower with his match day hospitality at Twickenham gaining legendary status amongst the team.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Operations Administrator
Aneta joined Back Up in December 2018. She is responsible for the smooth running of the office and general health and safety.
Aneta coordinates the volunteers and supports with the recruitment process. She also looks after the suppliers invoices and payment processing on Sage. In her free time, Aneta enjoys hiking, gardening and salsa dancing.
Ann joined the Back Up fundraising team in October 2023. She's worked for a few not-for-profits before and was delighted to join Back Up. Her time outside of work is taken up with tracking down her teenagers, supporting local environmental organisations and cooking badly (when she gets a look in in the kitchen).
Anne joined the board of Back Up in 2016. In 1984 she sustained a spinal cord injury in a car accident. Her first experience of Back up was in 1991 when she went on a skiing course. She later became a volunteer mentor. She qualified as a solicitor in 1989 and worked for Irwin Mitchell LLP as a Client Support Manager in their personal injury department for over ten years. Prior to that she worked as an independent expert witness advising courts on the cost of disability. She is now happy to be able to focus more of her time on her work with Back Up, helping to grow and develop the charity in her role as a trustee. In her spare time Anne enjoys cooking, entertaining, sailing, acting, singing, theatre, art and talking!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Communications & Marketing Team
- Digital Marketing Coordinator
Anthony joined Back Up's Communications and Marketing team in November 2023. He has worked for other charities and marketing agencies in the past. Outside of work, he is a big anime/gaming fan and loves to immerse himself in his favorite series and games.
Barbara Broccoli CBE Founding Patron Barbara Broccoli CBE is one of the entertainment industry's most successful producers, particularly renowned for her work on the iconic Bond movies. Barbara has been involved with the Bond franchise throughout her entire life, beginning her career in the publicity department of The Spy Who Loved Me at the age of 17. In 1985, Barbara approached her friend and world-class skier, Mike Nemesvary, to film the amazing aerial stunts in A View To A Kill. Three months later, Mike broke his neck during a routine trampoline workout. Barbara was a regular presence at Mike's bedside and set up a fund to support him during his rehabilitation. She was also one of the driving forces in setting up Back Up, using her considerable influence in the film industry to gain support and funds for the charity. Barbara has produced many successful movies and acclaimed stage productions. In 2016, Back Up's 30th anniversary, Barbara was reunited with Mike at the annual Back Up Ball. ×
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance & Operations Team
- Operations Manager
Bea is Operations Manager at Back Up, where her main responsibility is to ensure that everyone on the team has everything they need to excel. With her juggling and organisation skills, she manages to maintain an efficient workflow while ensuring that everyone's needs are met.
Her passion for helping others and her unwavering commitment to Back Up's mission drive her to make sure that every member of the team feels supported and empowered to do their best work.
Becky has been involved with Back Up in many different roles for many years. Her first engagement with the charity was on a water-skiing course, in 1991, a year after her injury. She has been hooked by the Back Up bug ever since. Becky has been a fund-raiser, group leader, mentor and trustee, becoming Chair over two terms, and was awarded Third Sector Chair of the Year in 2014. With her HR professional background she is passionate about supporting people back to work post injury and group led the very first Back to Work course and has been the trainer for a lot of the courses over the last 15years. Now she considers herself as having her dream job, as Back Up's Vocation Specialist. Becky is married to Paul and lives in Dorset, where they together run Endeavour UK, an inclusive tourism business with an accessible holiday home and offering safari trips of a lifetime.
Ben spent 20 years running fast growing businesses within Investment banks. He now manages a digital fundraising software company helping charities to raise more money for their causes. In 2017, Ben's mother suffered a C6 level complete spinal injury and is keen to help others benefit from Back Up's wonderful services. Ben is a keen sailor and runner and lives in Kent with his wife and three children.
Chris Yeates* Regional Outreach Team Leader Chris looks after wheelchair skills and patient education sessions at the NSIC Stoke Mandeville as well as supporting patients and staff at other hospitals in the region. Chris was involved in a road accident in 2006 which resulted in a complete C6 spinal cord injury. He enjoys spending his free time with his wife and two sons and has become a master of negotiating his wheelchair around his toy-filled living room. ×
Claire Danson is a British Para-Triathlete. Claire became European Champion in her age group for Triathlon in 2019. That same year she was aiming to gain her Professional Racing Licence but unfortunately a collision with a tractor during a training ride resulted in her sustaining a spinal cord injury. The injury left her paralysed from the waist down. She is now competing as a para-triathlete, and is back to winning awards and medals again.
Claire met Back Up through our wheelchair skills training sessions in Salisbury Spinal Unit. These training sessions supported Claire in learning vital skills, helping her positively adjust to life with a spinal cord injury. In 2022, Claire attended our Colorado Sit-Ski course, and her experience on this course transformed her life. This spurred her to become an official patron of Back Up, and she is excited to spread the word about Back Up's services and the impact they have.
Job Titles:
- Family Support Coordinator
Dominic joined the family support team at Back Up in January 2024. His first exposure to Back Up was shortly after his wife's cousin had a spinal cord injury in 2015. Experiencing the effect Spinal Cord Injury has on the whole family and the work Back Up does has inspired him to want to support other families. Before joining Back up, Dominic spent over a decade working in musical theatre and singing on cruise ships. In his spare time, Dominic enjoys specialty coffee, football, travelling and hikes with his wife and adding to his record collection.
Job Titles:
- Children & Young People 's Guidance Manager
Ella was ten years old when she had her spinal cord injury, but didn't get involved with Back Up till some time later. While she was at university, she started doing lots of volunteer work and this prompted her to apply for a position here. As our Under 18's Services Manager, she works across the team to provide support for children and young people and ensures that they are involved in shaping our services. Outside of work, Ella loves travelling whenever possible. She should also have several Blue Peter badges for her arts and crafts endeavours which include knitting, writing, baking and making jewellery.
Job Titles:
- Community Fundraising Coordinator
Emily has been involved with Back Up since the year 2000, when she discharged herself from hospital for a week to go on one of our multi-activity courses in the Lake District! She thought it was the best rehab experience she could have had and it was here that her love for Back Up started. After volunteering for the charity for many years through mentoring, group leading and organising fundraising events, Emily has now joined the fundraising team to support our community fundraisers and is excited to be working for a charity that she is so passionate about. Emily will also be driving our Ambassador Scheme forwards and helping others to promote the valuable work we do to transform the lives of people with a Spinal Cord Injury. As a busy mum of two, when she gets time (!), Emily enjoys going to the theatre and seeing live bands, mindful drawing, learning Spanish and planning events for the local school as part of the PTA.
Eric Lanlard, Master P tissier, has earned himself an international reputation for superlative baked creations for an impressive A-list clientele. Eric's skills and talent have turned him into a ‘much in demand' baking global ambassador, and he creates afternoon teas for P&O Cruises, Virgin Atlantic Airways as well as a leading Luxury Hotel Group. In 1995, Eric established his own wholesale patisserie, leading to the opening of Cake Boy, a destination café, cake emporium and cookery school in London. Eric is also an experienced TV presenter, regular contributor and guest on some of the UK's most loved TV food shows, and an eight-time author.
A chance conversation with a Back Up volunteer doing a bucket collection was Eric's first introduction to the charity back in 2004. Since then, he has been a passionate supporter and advocate of the charity's work. Eric is also one of the key players in organising the charity's flagship fundraising event, City Dinner. He is thrilled to be a patron of Back Up, helping the charity to raise vital funds to support people affected by spinal cord injury.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance & Operations Team
- Operations Administrative
George Rhind-Tutt Operations Administrative George joined Back Up in October 2023. He previously spent time working in hospitality and in an administrative role for a music charity. George offers administrative support in the office, coordinates office volunteers, and makes sure that everything runs smoothly. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, playing the piano and watching football. ×
Gordon joined the Trustee Board in 2022 and is presently the Fundraising Director of the Epilepsy Society. He has over twenty years experience in the charity sector having worked in the fundraising departments of a number of charities including WWF-UK and Macmillan. After some years as a primary school teacher Gordon actually started his charity fundraising career back in 1998 by volunteering and then working with Back Up. Buddying on a water-ski course at the time left a lasting impression. Funny how things come full circle and prove that Back Up is such a wonderful charity and the bug never leaves you! Gordon lives in Surrey, is married with two children, one in the Sixth Form and the other at university. He attempts to keep fit and stay active through running, cycling and swimming and has done some triathlons in the past. He still feels he might have a few more in him. He is also climbing the ‘Three Peaks' in three decades - just Scafell Pike left to do!
Grace joined the trustee board in 2022. She sustained a spinal cord injury in 2018, and since then has gone back to medical school and is now working as a junior doctor in London. She is passionate about medicine, advocacy for the disabled community and challenging ableism, the stigma surrounding disability and inaccessible spaces. She would love to see better and much more inclusive representation for disabled people in all walks of life and particularly in medicine and the media. She appreciated the support she received from Back Up during the first months of her injury, and now wants to have an active role in improving the lives of newly injured people. In the future she wants to work in paediatrics, advocating for disabled children. She also has a masters degree in Public Health, loves travelling, cooking and adaptive watersports.
Helen first became involved in Back Up in 1993 when she went on her first ski trip which introduced her to a sport that she still considers to be one of her greatest passions. In 2007, Helen used her expertise in disability and employment to design and deliver the first Back Up to Work course and is incredibly proud that this course has continued to grow and develop.
Having been spinally injured since a baby as a result of a spinal tumour Helen is delighted to bring her wealth of knowledge and experience to the Board of Trustees which she joined in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Regional Outreach Coordinator Wales
Helen joined the Back Up team in 2022 as the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for Wales delivering wheelchair skills and peer support in Llandough Cardiff for individuals affected by a spinal cord injury and their families.
Helen became paralysed at level c5/6 in 2016 because of transverse myelitis which is inflammation on the spine.
Job Titles:
- Events Manager
- Member of the Fundraising Team
Helen manages our Back Up fundraising events. She has been involved with Back Up since 2008 and met her husband through working at the charity. As a busy mum of 2 small children, she enjoys spending time outdoors gardening and playing tennis or cycling with the kids as well as getting together with friends and family.
Holly Butler Trusts Fundraiser Holly joined the Back Up fundraising team in February 2021. She has enjoyed a varied career, including previous experience of trust fundraising, and finds it rewarding to play a part in supporting our life-changing services. Outside work, she is a proud mum, enjoys being outdoors, and is looking forward to being able to socialize and travel again. ×
Job Titles:
- Communications Coordinator
- Member of the Communications & Marketing Team
At Back Up, Jack works in the Communications and Marketing team as a Communications Coordinator. This diverse role covers everything from social media to video editing - all to ensure that Back Up's content resonates with people affected by spinal cord injury. With a background in video game industry PR, Jack also looks after the charity's gaming fundraising efforts!
In his spare time Jack loves travelling, climbing mountains, ambient music, and creating digital art.
Jacques looks after volunteer mentors and their mentees. Jacques sustained an incomplete spinal injury at L1 in 1993 while he was in the South African Army. He likes to keep up to date with new developments in wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. He has been known to do some wheelchair maintenance in the office. Jacques is also an amateur braai (BBQ) master when the weather is nice enough to do it. Jacques enjoys travelling with his wife and has done the long haul to New Zealand multiple times.
Job Titles:
- Fundraising Manager
- Member of the Fundraising Team
Having emptied the nest, Janet loves live music, campervanning, cooking, yoga, and improving her Franglais. During lockdown, she embraced outdoor swimming and never looked back. Can be found most weekends in a lake in Surrey.
Jo's professional career has focused on the potential for IT to help large and complex organisations do things differently, resulting in better practices. She has worked in both the private and public sectors, in the UK and abroad. Jo lives in Hampshire with her husband, three children and an array of animals. She had her spinal cord injury in 2011 and since then she has benefited enormously from the support of Back Up. Jo is delighted to have a more formal role with them having become a Trustee in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Family Support Coordinator
Kelsey joined the Back Up team at the end of 2022, as part of the Family Support Team.
Kelsey has been working as an A&E nurse since 2020 and has seen first-hand the impacts of trauma on not only those injured but their families.
She also experienced this closer to home when her partners' Mum sustained a spinal cord injury during the summer of 2020.
The effect this had on the whole family is one of the reasons Kelsey chose to join Back Up, with the focus that all family members are supported whilst adapting to their new way of life.
In a career spanning more than twenty five years, Kevin has worked in a variety of roles supporting disabled children, young people and adults.
Starting as a community support worker, he went on to gain experience in a range of different settings covering health, social care, education and information, advice and guidance services.
As his career has developed, Kevin has managed individual projects and services as well as geographically spread programmes across the UK in both the private and voluntary sectors - including developing new services whilst supporting organisational growth and design.
Kevin remains passionate about high quality services and achieving good outcomes for the people we support.
Konrad is a former alpine ski racer who was one of Britain's most successful downhill racers. During his skiing career, he became close friends with our founder and fellow skier, Mike Nemesvary, who sustained a spinal cord injury during a training accident. Following Mike's injury, Konrad was one of the key players in the foundation of Back Up in 1986. Mike and Konrad set up Back Up to help people with a spinal cord injury get back up on the slopes - proving that life with a spinal cord injury can still be full of excitement.
Konrad has since served as a trustee and subsequently continues as our president. He is the only person to remain closely involved with the charity throughout its entire history. It is beyond his wildest dreams that Back Up would go from offering one skiing course to providing a wide range of services for everyone affected by spinal cord injury in the UK.
Louise joined the board as a Trustee in July 2023. She sustained her spinal cord injury at the age of 19 due to a bleed in her spinal cord during pregnancy. Louise has a passion for enhancing and improving spinal cord injury care and support and has spent the last 12 months as a Transformation Delivery Manager in the Southeast of England leading on making improvements to care and rehabilitation pathways on behalf on NHS England. Louise is a qualified Procurement and Contract Management specialist and has worked in NHS contract, procurement, and project transformation for the last 6 years. Prior to that Louise worked in similar roles for local authorities, coordinating procurements and contract management for services provided to some of the most vulnerable - domestic violence, homelessness, foster care and substance misuse. Louise is thrilled to be a Trustee for Back Up and is excited to support and drive the charity forward in terms of development and growth. In her spare time, Louise enjoys nothing more than getting out in the fresh air on walks with her rescue dog (and also enjoys the odd gin)!
Lucy feels very passionately about helping people return to employment. She believes it is an important way to tackle disability, equality and inclusion within society. Lucy also enjoys helping other teams deliver effective services to improve the lives of people affected by spinal cord injury, particularly working with children and young people. Lucy also makes functional ceramics such as mugs, teapots and bowls.
When she's not behind a computer or covered in clay, you'll find her gardening, travelling or attending a fabulous event in fancy dress.
Martin Bell was a ski-racer on the British Alpine Ski Team between 1981 and 1995, competing at five world championships and four Winter Olympics. Now based in Colorado, he works as a coach for the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, and occasionally for the British Ski Academy. Martin is also a journalist and writes for the Telegraph Ski and Snowboard Magazine.
Martin was a friend and teammate of our founder, Mike Nemesvary, and a huge fan of his amazing talent. After Mike sustained a spinal cord injury in a trampolining accident, Martin was keen to help in any way he could. Alongside Mike's other friends and supporters, Martin helped to grow and develop Back Up in the early days so it could offer people with a spinal cord injury the opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement of adapted skiing.
Melanie Burnside* Courses Team Leader Mel has both supported and been supported by Back Up for over 25 years. Following her spinal injury in 1996, she has been involved in the charity as a mentor and various other roles. Mel has 3 sons, 2 cats, a puppy and spends any spare time she has with friends and family. Mel is a keen genealogist and can be found frequently listening to audio books of all genres. Mel tries to get to the gym when possible and enjoys a long push around local parks with her boys. Mel is loving her role as Courses Team Leader and is proud to work for Back Up and support the life changing work that they do. ×
Job Titles:
- Regional Coordinator, London and South
Michael helps manage relationships with the 11 UK spinal centres and ensures inpatients and staff are informed about and have access to Back Up services. Michael broke his neck at C6 playing rugby in 2000 and then toured the world playing wheelchair rugby for Great Britain. After settling down to family life after the birth of his son, Michael began volunteering at Back Up before joining the staff team in 2008.
Mike Nemesvary Founding Patron Mike Nemesvary, our founder, was a world champion freestyle skier who performed amazing stunts in the James Bond movie, A View To A Kill. In 1985, aged just 24, Mike's life changed forever. During a routine training session on a trampoline, he landed awkwardly and broke his neck, becoming a high-level quadriplegic. His life changed in an instant, but Mike was determined to get back to his greatest love - skiing. Seven months later, Mike was on the slopes of Switzerland trying out sit skiing for the first time since his injury. With the support of his friends from the skiing and film industries, Barbara Broccoli OBE, Jess Stock and Konrad Bartelski, Mike formed Back Up so that everyone affected by spinal cord injury could experience the freedom of life on the slopes, and the active lifestyle that he cherished. Since establishing the charity, Mike is proud and thrilled to see Back Up grow beyond recognition to offer a wide range of services. He now lives in Canada, working as a passionate disability activist, professional speaker and is still continually seeking bold adventures. ×
Job Titles:
- Events and Challenge Assistant
Natalie became a part of Back Up in October 2023, taking on the role of an Event and challenge Assistant. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Events Management. Apart from her professional pursuits, Natalie is a mother to a young daughter. In her free time, she navigates the bustling life of parenthood and indulges in her passions for travel, going out with friends and cooking. An aspiring goal on her horizon is to secure a weekend radio slot on Capital XTRA FM, where she can share the latest tunes with listeners.
Nicole Scott** Family Support Team Leader Nicole first came across Back Up after her husband had a spinal cord injury following a motorbike accident in 2009, so she understands the importance of supporting family members. She then volunteered for a number of years, first as a mentor, then buddying on courses and latterly as a group leader on various courses. Nicole joined the Back Up team in August 2021 working within the Family Support team. Outside of work Nicole enjoys playing (plus enthusiastically supporting from the sideline) her local hockey team, socialising with family and friends and walking her dog, Elliott. ×
Paul sustained his spinal cord injury in a 2011 cycling accident. He became involved with Back Up through the 2019 Next Steps course and in 2022 joined our Colorado ski trip. He has taken on several fundraising challenges and was proud to be our 2021 Fundraiser of the Year. He joined our Board in 2022 and is thrilled to bring his skills and experience to our work, especially our support to help people affected by spinal cord injury stay connected and thrive as they age.
Paul's career spans the commercial and non-profit sectors. Most recently, he was Operations Director, then Strategy, Planning & Policy Director, at Jubilee Sailing Trust. For 18 years, Paul held senior business development and legal roles at Diageo and InterContinental Hotels Group, living in Asia for most of that time. Before that, Paul was a corporate lawyer with international law firm Simmons & Simmons.
Paul and his family live near Bath. He retired in 2019 and is exploring new passions, including art and psychology. He is a trustee of disability charity Designability.
Job Titles:
- Outreach & Engagement Manager
My fiancé David sustained a C4 complete spinal cord injury in 2018 and I first came into contact with Back Up when he took part in a wheelchair skills session at Stanmore SCIC in2018. It was from that first session that I could see the positive, life-changing impacts Back Up has on those newly injured, and their families. At the time of David's accident, I worked in Project Management but felt as though I wanted to fulfil my newfound passion of supporting those affected by SCI. I was lucky enough to join the wonderful team at Back Up as Outreach and Engagement Manager in October 2022.In my spare time, I am always busy with my fiancé, researching our next wheelchair accessible adventure, in or outside the UK! I love nothing more than spending quality time, making memories with friends and family.
Poppy Chamberlain** Family Support Coordinator Poppy joined the Family Support team at Back Up in November 2022. Her partner was spinally injured in 2015 so she understands the trials and tribulations of life with a spinal cord injury, as well as how you can go on to lead a positive and fulfilled life after injury. She has lived experience as a family member and hopes to share her experiences and knowledge with others in similar circumstances. Poppy believes everybody is entitled to live the best possible quality of life, full of opportunity, fun and confidence. Poppy is also a Pilates teacher helping others to feel better with good movement - she teaches 1:1s on Pilates machines, group mat classes and online sessions too. ×
Becca first got involved with Back Up in 2011 on a Snowdon Push, later followed by a course at Exmoor, and the 30 th Anniversary London to Paris Cycle Ride, finally joining the Board of Trustees, in 2017. Becca brings her commercial experience including a long history of working with change in large organisations especially in the field of diversity and inclusion, building long term strategy through effective collaboration. Living in Wiltshire, with her husband and daughter, they are both passionate foodies, and can often been found discovering new restaurants or creating delicious concoctions at home.
Job Titles:
- Regional Coordinator, North
Richard works alongside the Sheffield and Pinderfields spinal units in delivering wheelchair skills and offering peer support. He sustained a spinal cord injury in a motorcycle accident in 2010, and since found his love in sport.
He enjoys his free time playing wheelchair basketball and rugby, doing half marathons, and watching Japanese animated films. His favourite colour is purple.
Richard first caught the Back Up bug over 25 years ago when he worked as an adaptive water-ski instructor before becoming a buddy and then a group leader on multi-activity and water-ski courses. More recently he took part in the London to Paris #ridefordanny in 2018 before becoming a trustee in 2021. Richard is a chartered accountant and a partner of a Big 4 firm where he's responsible for auditing a range of financial services companies, mostly banks. He and his wife live in East Dulwich with their cat. He claims to be a reformed rugby player and enjoys snowboarding, golf, cycling and cooking.
Roman Maczkiewicz Mentoring Coordinator As part of the Mentoring team working alongside Alice and Jacques, Roman helps to look after and support volunteer spinal cord injury mentors and mentees. Following a spinal cord injury-related illness in 2018 and an 8-month stay in hospital, he became aware of the work of Back Up and started as a volunteer fundraiser for the Trusts team. He then became interested in mentoring and once trained became a volunteer mentor, which led to him becoming a member of the staff team in 2022. When not working Roman who is married and has 2 grown-up daughters loves attending live music gigs and sporting events. He is also a keen fair-weather hand cyclist and is the secretary of the Hand Cycling Association of the UK. His Polish heritage is important to him and being bilingual has also been very useful. His not-so-secret guilty pleasure is to have the occasional single malt whisky with just a splash of water. ×
Job Titles:
- Member of the Communications & Marketing Team
- Head of Communications and Marketing
Rupa joined Back Up in April 2023, and provides leadership and direction on all matters relating to communications and marketing.
Her experience covers over 25 years' working in the voluntary, education, public and private sectors, most recently she was the head of strategic communications and insight at NCVO. Rupa is a real hands-on team player and has a breadth of experience in many areas including strategy development, multi-channel campaign delivery, brand management, media and press relations. She enjoys leading and motivating teams and loves to bring out the best in people that she works with.
In her free time Rupa enjoys travelling, spending time with friends and family and taking her dog, Romeo, out on long walks.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance & Operations Team
- Head of Finance and Operations
Salvatore makes sure the office runs smoothly and keeps everyone on budget. He is the most avoided person in the office when the budget time comes, and the person most in demand when there's an operational issue. He is much beloved by all the team for helping them with all their technical mishaps. Better known as Salvo, he brings some classic Italian style to everyday office life.
Job Titles:
- Head of Fundraising
- Member of the Fundraising Team
Sean is our Head of Fundraising and is responsible for delivering our fundraising strategy and supporting his great team to meet their targets. He loves getting out of the office to meet our supporters and spread the word about our work. Having been involved as a volunteer and staff member for over 15 years, Sean has seen Back Up grow immensely and has been a key part of that change. At weekends, when he's not spending time with his baby daughter, Sean enjoys getting outdoors: handcycling, swimming, sit-skiing and, with help from some willing friends, he has also made it to the top of the UK's three highest peaks.
Sophie Carrigill is a Team GB Wheelchair Basketball Player, a Paralympian, and a valued Back Up volunteer. Her work in the public eye, and within Back Up, has earned her a position as a Back Up patron.
After sustaining a spinal cord injury in a car accident, Sophie decided to take up wheelchair basketball with her local club in Leeds. After a year, she was called up to the Team GB women's team. As a team captain, she led the team to the semi finals of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics - something the team had never achieved before.
Alongside her impressive athletic career, for the past decade Sophie has been an active member of Back Up's community. She was one of the first members of our Youth Advisory Group (YAG), where she helped influence our services for children and young people affected by spinal cord injury. Her efforts as a YAG member contributed to the development of the children and young people services we have today.
Sophie first got involved with Back Up after meeting some wheelchair skills trainers at Stoke Mandeville while she was an inpatient there. They told her about the ski course and she signed up as soon as possible. It was a life-changing experience for Sophie and she has been a Back Up groupie ever since. She joined the outreach and support team in 2016 and now works as our Services Manager - taking overall responsibility for the five services at Back Up - family, mentoring, CYP, vocation and courses. In her spare time she spends as much time waterskiing and wakeboarding as she can!
Job Titles:
- Patron
- Television Presenter and Reporter
Sophie Morgan is a highly successful television presenter and reporter, and currently presents the brand-new property series, Best Laid Plans, and Tricks of the Restaurant Trade. She was the lead presenter for Channel 4's TV coverage of the Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, and also covered the Winter Paralympics this year. Alongside her high-profile TV career, Sophie runs several successful companies, is an award-winning campaigner, and was voted in the top 100 most influential disabled people for two years running.
At the age of 18, Sophie was paralysed from the chest down in a car crash. One year later, she went on her first Back Up multi-activity course trying out exciting adapted activities like kayaking, horse riding and abseiling. She went on to use her own experiences to support others as a volunteer mentor, and organise several fundraising events for the charity's work. Sophie is delighted to be a patron of Back Up, and play an important role in the charity over the years to come.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Member of the Finance & Operations Team
- Operations Coordinator
Tara has been working with the finance and operations team since March 2017 and officially became our permanent coordinator in June. She mostly assists with financial tasks but can be seeing tackling the odd IT issue. Tara holds a Level 1 in British Sign Language, has abseiled down St. Guys Hospital Tower for charity and enjoys long walks on the beach!
Tom joined the board in 2019, and is keen to use his experience of developing policy and strategy as a civil servant at HM Treasury to help Back Up achieve its objectives. Tom has experience of spinal cord injury and the practical impact that Back Up makes through his younger brother, who was injured in 2013 and benefited greatly from Back Up's support.. He lives in London, and in his spare time he is a keen walker and skier.
Tony started volunteering for Back Up in 2017 as a Mentor, and then in early 2022 started volunteering as a Back Up Lounge Host, focusing on the Arts, Crafts and Gardening Lounge! In May he started another exciting chapter at Back Up by becoming our Courses Coordinator. He describes the role as an ‘exciting adventure which has just been a joy from day one'. Tony believes that Back Up is one of those charities that holds family values at its heart, and says he knows that every single member of the team, and the course participants, feel part of this supported family which enables people affected by spinal cord injury to live life to the full.
Valerie Singleton OBE is an English television and radio presenter best known as a presenter of the popular children's series Blue Peter from 1962-1972. She also presented the BBC Radio 4 PM programme for ten years as well as a series of radio and television programmes on financial and business issues including Nationwide and The Money Programme. She went on in the 1990s to write travel articles for a variety of different publications.
Around this time, Valerie learned about the work of Back Up through a close friend. She was immediately drawn to the charity's work, offering people with a spinal cord injury the chance to develop their confidence and independence through outdoor-activity courses. Valerie soon became an official patron of the charity and has enjoyed watching Back Up grow and develop over recent years to offer a diverse range of services for everyone affected by spinal cord injury.