Lorraine Hargreaves
Charity Founder
I am Milly’s mum and founder of this fantastic charity. From Milly being diagnosed with AML in November 2014, I became part of a world that I knew existed, but was totally unaware of how many families were affected by Childhood Cancer.
I knew that I wanted to give something back to help people in a situation that we have experienced and I know that Milly would also be very keen to help other people. Milly was a real people person who genuinely cared for people and if she could make them smile and feel better about their day she would.
I started the charity to continue Milly’s memory, to make a difference, however slight, to children and their family when diagnosed with a cancer related illness.
Kathryn Thomas
Trustee / Treasurer
I am a Headteacher of a Primary school and I have worked with many Charities and organisations over the last 20 years whilst working in Education.
I am very passionate about supporting Charities. I was asked to join the team for Milly’s Smiles and I am honoured to say that I have been given the opportunity to support this Charity.
I have been a family friend for many years and it is a great pleasure organising, supporting and developing opportunities to raise money to support this charity; especially targeting Manchester Children’s Hospital Ward 84. It is also very important that we raise awareness of ‘Acute Myeloid Leukaemia’ on our journey!
Milly’s Smiles charity will work relentlessly to continue this support in memory of Milly- a beautiful, courageous young lady!
Helen Wall
Trustee / Secretary
I first met Milly in 2006 when my eldest daughter Eve and Milly started playgroup together. Playgroup led to primary school and the girls soon became friends and were part of a tight knit primary class enjoying everything that childhood had to offer.
In Nov 2014, we were all devastated to hear about Milly’s diagnosis and Milly and her friends embarked on a unique journey that no 11 year old should ever have to endure.
Over the 10 months of Milly’s illness whenever Milly was well enough I arranged weekly visits driving Milly’s friends to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital to spend precious time with Milly, which they will remember and treasure forever.
I was honoured when my friend and Milly’s mum asked me to be part of a charity that she had spent hours planning during the months she spent in hospital with Milly. Milly’s Smiles has proved to be a fitting legacy to a girl who is both beautiful inside and out.
Gemma Dyson
Trustee
Gemma brings a wealth of experience to her role as Trustee. She has held several voluntary roles including school governor, mentor and Non-Executive Director for Calico Homes. During her time there she was involved in the signifcant expansion of the Calico Group including acquiring businesses, not for profit organisations and charities. Since reaching the end of her term there Gemma has turned down several volunteering roles as they did not quite fit with her core values. Gemma has been looking for a real purpose and a charity that resonates with her and that makes a real difference in people’s lives, and is delighted to have joined Milly’s Smiles.