THE DAN ELEY FOUNDATION - Key Persons
A longstanding friend of Dan's, Andrew played a significant role in the original "Help Dan" campaign and has remained part of Dan's support network since his accident in 2010.
Andrew brings a wealth of experience in managing projects for disadvantaged client groups in the UK voluntary and public sectors, currently holding a national portfolio for a large housing association, as well as several years of experience as a trustee of a UK homelessness charity. In addition, Andrew has a good understanding of projects working with young people in developing countries.
Carolyn is Dan's mother and she brought up him and his sister, Bridget, to believe that we should leave the world a better place. Injustice has always been something she has campaigned against, both as a journalist and editor working in Africa and North America and also in her work as a Sociology lecturer.
Carolyn is a founder member of GOLO, the Godalming Lottery, launched in 2009: It is the first independent, non-profit-making lottery in the UK and it seeks to raise funds for organisations and individuals in need within the community.
Has been engaged in charity work for many years and currently chairs three local charities and one Community Amateur Sports Club. He was one of the co-founders of Skillway, one arm of the Warehouse Christian Trust.
His interest in developing countries started in 2001 when he assisted in the disaster response to El Salvador after the devastating earthquakes affecting the whole country. He has subsequently returned on ten occasions and on one of which was able to team up with Dan when he was working with street children in San Salvador the capital.
He is a member of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine and has a PhD in disaster response strategies.
He has a deep concern for the educational needs of young people both at home and abroad and shares Dan's passion to transform young lives through skills training and maximising employment potential.
Sara has taught in the Sociology Department at University of Surrey since 1974 and is a long-term Godalming resident. She has known Carolyn Eley (Dan's Mum) since the mid-1970s and has huge admiration for Dan and the charity he has founded.
Sara is passionate about supporting disadvantaged young people to improve their employment opportunities, broaden their horizons and achieve their potential. She established the Geoff Herrington Foundation, in memory of her late husband, which provides grants to organisations working with socially and economically disadvantaged young people in the UK and in less developed countries.
Richard studied Fine Art at St Martin's before co-founding an advertising agency that operated for 25 years.
Lifelong passion for all things creative, he worked for an inner-city charity for 9 years teaching art to Hell's Angels, was a Director of the Hackney Empire for 6 years and for 20 years was marketing consultant to Sue Ryder and her Foundation.
Born and educated in Godalming, after qualifying as a chartered accountant and working with KPMG for 12 years Sharon moved back to Godalming and is now a partner at Roffe Swayne chartered accountants.
Mum to three herself and having benefited from the opportunities that education and training gave her, Sharon is passionate about giving all young people education and training to give them the best opportunities in life, whatever their background. Currently a governor of the Sunflower Trust charity Sharon is delighted to also be the Chair of The Dan Eley Foundation.