Hugs Children’s Cancer Charity
The Hugs Team & Trustees
The Hugs team and Trustees work endlessly to help fellow families who are going through the same as they have. They help with fundraising events, working in the charity shop, liaising with families wanting to use the respite home, and everything in between.
Elsbeth Hallam
As co-founder and CEO of Hugs, Elsbeth is the driving force of the charity. Having ‘walked the walk’ as a parent of a seriously ill child, Elsbeth understands what’s it’s like. It’s her empathy that pushes her on and gives her the level of energy needed to steer the organisation further and faster as it looks to support other families that are going through what her family did. It also helps that before setting up Hugs, she was, and still is, a registered nurse which means that caring comes naturally to Elsbeth.
Mike Hallam
Along with his wife Elsbeth, Mike is the co-founder of Hugs as well as a trustee, which means he’s part of a team that’s responsible for making sure that the charity is doing what it was set up to do. When he’s not wearing his ‘trustee’ hat, Mike is a qualified engineer and a Director of the multidisciplinary construction consultancy Expedite.
Ade Edwards, Trustee
As the current Chair of the Trustees, it’s Ade’s job to keep everything on track and with over twenty years of experience in the third sector, he’s perfectly placed to do just that. Ade is a senior manager in a drugs and alcohol charity and has a deep understanding of how charitable organisations should be run properly and compliantly.
Zoe Edwards, Trustee
Hugs wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for long standing supporters like Zoe, she was there at the very beginning. These days, Zoe is a trustee of the charity and as a registered nurse with over 20 years of experience, she’s perfectly placed to bring her wealth of medical knowledge to the table.
Kelly Heatley, Trustee
Fundraising is key for charities and Hugs is no different. Kelly has earned her stripes on this front and has been a volunteer fundraiser for over xx years now, raising thousands in the process. As an HR specialist for Big Picture Care group, Kelly’s experience is invaluable and it’s why she’s now a trustee of the charity.
Vicky Reeve, Trustee
Ryan Jackson, Retail Development Manager
As Head of Retail, Ryan is central to the whole operation as it’s his job to run the shop and larger unit, raising the all-important additional funds. With over ten years of experience in the charity retail sector, Ryan does an incredible job that we simply couldn’t do without. He has a genuine passion for what he does and knows that everyday make a real difference to the lives of local families that need it most.
Laura Riden, Head of Fundraising
As Head of Fundraising, it’s Laura job to make sure the money keeps coming in so we can carry on doing the good work we do. After working at Focus Group in Plymouth, Laura joined Hugs with one simple brief … to help grow us a charity. She already has plenty of exciting plans ready for early next year as she looks to help take us to that next level.
The Volunteers, Fundraisers, and Events team
The Hugs Children’s Cancer Charity team is a unique group of ladies who work voluntarily to fundraise for the charity. They formed when Henry was going through his treatment and have formed a strong fundraising force in the Plymouth area. In 2013 the team was voted as the pride of Plymouth fundraisers of the year (formally Hugs for Henry).
Rebecca Case, Volunteer Shop Manager
Becky is a stay at home mummy to 2 beautiful children, Sam and Tilly. Until recently she was a shop manager for the British Red Cross. She’s followed Henry’s journey from the beginning, and like most people was horrified by what this gorgeous little boy and his family were going through. About a year and 1/2 ago, Henry started attending the same school as Becky’s daughter. Elsbeth and Becky started chatting in the playground, and gradually became friends. In June 2015, Elsbeth asked Becky if she’d like to join the fundraising team, and of course Becky said yes! Becky says: ‘Being part of the Hugs team is not only very rewarding, but also great fun. The whole family can get involved, my partner Ryan often helps at events and has even had his legs waxed. My Daughter Tilly recently did her own fundraiser selling toys that she collected from friends and made £160. ‘We are so very passionate at Team Hugs about helping as many children and families as we possibly can. These children fighting Neuroblastoma need us to be their voice. If you feel you can help in anyway please get in touch, and just by attending one of our many fundraisers, you are helping more than you will ever know.’
Helen Townsend, Shop Assistant and Respite Home Caretaker
Hi, I’m Helen and I have been involved with Hugs Children’s Cancer Charity for over eight years as a fundraiser and supporter. I work part-time in the Hugs Charity Shop on the Broadway and help at the Respite home. I have eight grandchildren and enjoy spending time having fun with them and also walking my dog over the moors.
Hayley, Shop Supervisor
Hayley and her Husband Len have known the charity founders for over 15 years and supported them through the diagnosis of Henry. Hayley started working for Hugs in 2021 and has become a firm favourite with our customers on the Plymstock Broadway. She loves working with volunteers and is approachable and supportive of others.
Andrew Richardson, Shop Assistant
Andy has worked for Hugs for many years in our shops. Mainly based at the Sugar Mill furniture and donation unit, he has become a popular member of the team and our customers, and helps at many functions and fundraisers. Quoting one of the fellow members of staff ‘Andy is a funny, mad, Scots man, who’s kind hearted, generous and will help anyone.
Kath Harvey, Shop Supervisor
Hi, I’m Kath, I really love working for Hugs and have known Elsbeth for years. I have many years of retail experience working for another charity shop. The atmosphere is fun and we are all like a big happy family. In my spare time I enjoy having my grandchildren and my other love is charity bingo.
Becki Lord, Volunteer
Becky has two children and works part time as an ambulance care assistant. She has known about Hugs since it first began, but only got to know the lovely family personally when Henry became good friends with her son at school. Becki says: ‘I am so honoured and excited to be part of this amazing team and really enjoy supporting them with ongoing fundraising and also make as many people as possible aware of neuroblastoma and the help and support these poor children and families need.’
