Our Ambassadors

Our Ambassadors are dedicated volunteers who use their lived experience, passion and commitment to help ensure no one in Yorkshire faces a brain tumour alone. They raise awareness, support our groups and events, and champion our mission within their communities.

Ambassador

Janet Strawbridge

Hi, I'm Janet. I was an NHS Speech and Language Therapist, working with complex special needs 0-19 years until I retired .

I became involved in YBTC following the death of my husband who had a high grade glioblastona which was inoperable . As a family we wanted to fundraise and raise awareness to support subsequent individuals/families as they faced the traumatic changes a brain tumour brings not just to the individual, but to the whole family. We have been supporting the charity since 2013.

I have many hobbies and interests in addition to the various voluntary fundraising work we do. I enjoy going to the theatre and run a village theatre group to visit places across the region. I love reading, creative writing, philosophy, crafts, cooking/baking , gardening and travelling.

Ambassador

Janet Turner

I am a retired Wholesale Plant Nursery Director. My business started as a fleeting idea on a 2-acre field in Yorkshire, and grew to become one of the leading suppliers of quality Winter and Summer bedding plants around the country.

I have been actively involved with YBTC as an Ambassador and Volunteer for over 10 years. I have witnessed first-hand the effects this cruel disease can have and am passionate that a cure must be found.

In my spare time I enjoy long countryside walks, playing host to family and friends and feeling 21 again on crazy adventures with my grandchildren.

Ambassador

Chris Cook

For 36 years I worked as a teacher of music/performing arts in various West Yorkshire schools finishing my career as Head of Performing Arts at Temple Moor High School in Leeds. After retiring in 2014 I continued to work in education as a senior examiner/trainer for a leading exam board. In July 2019 I lost Ellen, my beloved wife of thirty five years and mother to our two children, to Glioblastoma, just 3 months after her diagnosis. She had just turned 61 and very recently retired herself. It was a very traumatic time for us all and the charity helped enormously, offering support through bereavement counselling.

In the latter part of 2020 I met Dawn through the bereavement support group. We married in June 2022 and both continue to support the charity as much as we can. I was delighted when David invited me to become an ambassador.

Dawn and I are living life to the full spending our time together building a new home and indulging our shared passion for music gigs, theatre, travel, food and drink. I continue my love of music by blowing my saxophone in Otley's party band, the Beatleaders, (always available for weddings, parties and other events) and continuing my life-long passion for making things and DIY projects.

Ambassador

Dawn Cook

My career path was varied - from business administration to working as a Personal Shopper working for Debenhams. My role was trainer for the North East and In-store Supervisor. I loved my job but unfortunately in 2016 my late husband Roy was diagnosed with a grade 3 brain tumour. Our lives were turned upside down and that's where my career ended, which leads me to my connection with this amazing charity.

We joined the Leeds Support Group, with lots of people going through the same devastating diagnosis. We had the opportunity to chat to like-minded people at different levels of their treatment. I became an Ambassador for YBTC and helped fundraise by baking cakes. Then sadly, in June 2019 Roy passed away.

In 2020 I met Chris through the Bereavement Support Group, We are now very happily married and continue to support YBTC, I still do lots of baking and help out at as many events as we can.

Chris and I have an allotment where we grow fruit and veg; I always have a good supply of produce to bake crumbles, cakes, pies and puddings, In between the baking and growing, we enjoy travelling, going to gigs and catching up with family and friends.

Ambassador

Andy Clark

Hi, I'm Andy and I become a YBTC Ambassador in December 2023.

I’ve spent most of my life working in wellbeing and support services; originally a role within young peoples services and then going on to support offenders leaving custody. I am now the Coordinator for a wellbeing service which aims to promote and support with volunteering, education, training and employment. Working with people has always been at the heart of the work I do.

Sadly during 2016 I was diagnosed with a brain tumour and shortly after my surgery I was signposted to YBTC. I very much benefited from their outstanding support services over the initial 18 months recovery stage. Thanks in a large part to this support from the charity I built the confidence to improve my own wellbeing and restart employment.

In my spare time I like arts and crafts, ceramics, non-league football, walking and gardening. I'm a keen fundraiser and can usually be found with a raffle book to support local and important causes whenever I can.

Ambassador

Shelley Clavin

Hi, I'm Shelley. My husband became involved with the charity 21 years ago when he received help and advice as I had been diagnosed with a Brain Tumour.

I a few years down the line I made contact with the charity and have never looked back

I now run the Bradford Peer Support Group for the charity and have become a Ambassador.

Ambassador

Ellie Sayers

Hi , I'm Ellie and I'm a 27 year old mum of 3 from Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

I became an Ambassador for YBTC due to suffering with a brain tumour myself, now for nearly 10 years. I saw what amazing work and help they do for research and patients and wanted to give back to a good cause that has helped me and so many others.

In my spare time I love watching TV, and doing fun activities with my kids.

Ambassador

Kate Halsall

Hi, I'm Kate and I became an Ambassador in July 2024. I've previously worked successfully for a number of years as a Fundraiser for YBTC. I'm a Personal Trainer and a trained Massage Tutor and Course Coordinator.

I left my fundraising role at YBTC in June 2024 to pursue my other commitments, but I have such a deep commitment to the cause that I've chosen to stay on as an Ambassador to help wherever I can.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, exercise and walking my dog.

Ambassador

Heather Hale

Hi, my name is Heather and I was born and live in Wakefield. I started my career teaching in Adult Education until moving into Primary Education 30 years ago, before retiring in 2020.

My first contact with YBTC. was on a Wellbeing Walk, following surgery, in April 2020. I was given a warm welcome by everyone at that time and I now like to extend that same friendly welcome to others who I meet through the charity. Through YBTC I have spoken to various groups, using my brain tumour experience to raise awareness of this condition and running the Peer Support Group in Wakefield.

I lead a very active life, attending a local gym where I do a variety of classes, looking after two grandchildren and I do voluntary work at their school. Travelling is my passion and in recently I travelled through Canada and Europe. I am very grateful to have had four active years since my surgery and I use my time with YBTC to help encourage others in a similar situation.

Ambassador

Debbie Organ

Hi, I’m Debbie I’m 48 and married to Mark. We were introduced to the charity after I underwent a craniotomy to remove a large atypical grade 2 tumour in 2021, which was misdiagnosed as depression after loosing my dad to a heart attack. We attend the Wellbeing Walks and Peer Support Groups, and I can honestly say the charity is the best thing that has happened to us. We have made some life long friends throughout our journey, and the support has been life-changing and invaluable.

I work full time as an Hire Desk Manager for a shoring company (I was previously an Event Manager) and Train Strongwoman 3-times a week to help me refocus and forget about the regular MRI scans and the rollercoaster of waiting for results!

I have a lot of life skills and experience which I am looking forward to sharing with others. I am proud to be chosen as an Ambassador of this amazing charity.

Ambassador

Rhiannon Witts

Hi, I'm Rhiannon, I was diagnosed with a Brain Tumour on 4th April 2020.

I found YBTC in the summer of August 2021 when my tumour progressed to inoperable. A lovely volunteer helped to set up a support group at Meadowhall in Sheffield and then set one up at café in Doncaster. We also had an online zoom meeting with her one evening each week.

Since joining the groups I have grown in confidence and have also completed the 8-day Peer Support Training by Health Education England. I now volunteer for YBTC and run the Doncaster Support Group myself. It is a pleasure to give back and to be able to help support others, in the same way that the group has helped to support me.