Who we are
Trustees
Lin Holder - Chair & Treasurer
Lin joined MDS UK in 2018 after her husband Ron’s diagnosis. With deep charity and teaching experience, we are delighted to say she became Chair in September 2025 - Read More
Russell Cook
Russell Cook, a financial adviser, raises awareness of MDS and rare blood disorders. He had three bone marrow transplants to successfully deal with his MDS - Read More
Claudia Richards - Secretary
Claudia, a trilingual PA, was diagnosed with MDS-MLD in 2009. Since then, she has been deeply involved with MDS UK, dedicating her time to organising events, fundraising, campaigning, writing, proof-reading and more - Read More
Reverend Kes Grant
Reverend Kes Grant, an original member of the MDS UK Patient Group since 2006, has made tremendous contributions to MDS UK events, fundraising, support, blog writing and more - Read More
Maeve MacRory
Maeve has over 20 years experience in charity and public sectors, primarily in strategy, project management, and fundraising. Recently, she shifted to the regulatory realm, aiding UKHSA post-pandemic, enriching her understanding of health challenges - Read More
Astashia Gonsalves
After completing her degrees in 2020, Atashia first worked in an NHS lab tracking COVID variants. In 2022, she moved to Cambridge for a biotechnology company, managing clinical research trials. - Read More
Lynda Harris
Lynda is a Data Protection Officer with NHS experience, running her own Data Protection Services company. She is also an RSPCA Trustee and passionate about raising MDS awareness. Read More
Regional Ambassadors
Claudia Richards
Claudia, a trilingual PA, was diagnosed with MDS-MLD in 2009. Since then, she has been deeply involved with MDS UK, dedicating her time to organising events, fundraising, campaigning, writing, proof-reading and more - Read More
Maureen Sturrock
Maureen, a retired forensic psychiatrist, raises awareness of MDS Patient Support in Scotland and encourages more patients and carers to join the meetings which she has found so helpful - Read More
Sophia Taylor
Sophia Taylor joined MDS UK after her grandfather's 2017 diagnosis. She set up the Midlands Regional group and became an ambassador, holding the first meeting in 2019. - Read More
-
- Charlie Lobley (Yorkshire)
Patrons
Dr. Austin Kulasekararaj
Dr. Austin Kulasekararaj, a consultant haematologist at King’s College Hospital, specialises in bone marrow failures, myeloid malignancies, and transplantation. He became a patron for MDS UK in 2024 - Read More
Caitlin Limmer
Caitlin, through her years of dedication, has raised awareness and funds for MDS UK, including running 17 marathons! As Patron, she has made a huge positive impact for MDS patients, doctors, and researchers - Read More
Ted Peel - Patron
Ted served 32 years with the Metropolitan Police, including roles in CID and anti-terrorism. Diagnosed with MDS in 2015, he became Chair in 2017, then stepped down to become a Patron in March 2024 - Read More
Clinicians
Dr Dominic Culligan - Consultant Haematologist
Dr. Culligan, a consultant haematologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, specialises in managing AML, MDS, and lymphoma. He actively advises MDS UK Patient Support Group and is Chairman of the UK MDS Forum - Read More
Linda Hunter - MDS UK Support Nurse
Meet Linda Hunter, part of our MDS UK support team. A semi-retired, award-winning nurse, Linda offers expert help and compassionate care to support patients through every stage of their journey - Read More
Staff
Blossom Bell - CEO
Blossom Bell became CEO of MDS UK in May 2025, bringing personal experience with MDS, healthcare leadership, and a passion for patient advocacy. - Read More
Debbie Hickman
Debbie Hickman joined MDS UK in 2022, led as Acting CEO from 2023, and helped restructure and strengthen the charity, before passing the baton to new CEO Blossom Bell - Read More
Zoya Mathison - Office Manager
Zoya has a background in TV production and joined MDS UK in 2023. After losing her best friend to cancer she wanted to work in an environment that advocates for cancer patients - Read More
Chaudian Morgan - Membership & Database Assistant
Chaudian brings experience from both public and private healthcare sectors and oversees membership and membership outreach at MDS UK - Read More
Kate Vahl - Web Editor
Kate, a former web and radio producer at the BBC, including the BBC Health website, joined MDS UK as the Web Editor in May 2022. - Read More
Website & IT Support
Comes from our ever helpful webmasters who manage our site with genuine care for our organisation and services - Read More
Past staff, members & friends
It would be impossible to list all the people who have helped the charity evolve over the years - past staff, committee members, trustees, advisors, fundraisers and ambassadors – we owe each of them a huge debt of gratitude, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them. Some gave up their ‘official’ post after many years of unstinting support, but still help out on occasions, or keep an eye on us from afar.
Tony Allen
Tony, a chartered accountant and Cambridge graduate, joined MDS UK after his 2020 diagnosis. As Chair, he made a lasting contribution before stepping down in September 2025 - Read More
Sophie Wintrich
Sophie, co-founder of MDS UK, helped secure drug approvals and provided patient support for over 15 years, leaving a lasting legacy for the MDS community in the UK. Read more
Chris Dugmore
Chris, previously a Trustee, Committee member and Volunteer Coordinator retired in July 2024 after thirteen years of dedicated service to MDS UK. Read more
