Who we are
Trustees
Ted Peel - Chair
Ted spent 32 years with the Metropolitan Police, serving in CID, anti-terrorism, and as a Policing and Security Advisor. Diagnosed with MDS in 2015, Ted became Chairman of MDS UK in 2017 - Read More
Tony Allen - Acting Chair
Tony Allen, a chartered accountant, studied economics at Cambridge. With expertise in accounting and global consulting, he became Interim Chair at MDS UK after being diagnosed with MDS in 2020 - Read More
Lin Holder
Lin has extensive sales and marketing experience and later became a teacher, specialising in accounting, bookkeeping and ICT. Lin has been involved with MDS UK since 2018, due to her husband Ron's diagnosis - Read More
John Evason
John, a solicitor and Partner at Baker McKenzie, specialises in Employment Law. Diagnosed with MDS in 2014, he appreciated the support he received from MDS UK and applied to become a Trustee when the vacancy came up - 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
Chris Dugmore
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
Local Patient Support Ambassadors
Chris Dugmore
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
Karen Bruce
After a varied career in nursing, Karen was diagnosed with Familial HR-MDS and then AML. She supports other patients in Northern Ireland, going through similar experiences - Read More
Patrons
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
Professor Ghulam Mufti
Professor Mufti, an internationally renowned specialist in MDS, heads the haematology department at King's College Hospital in London. We feel delighted and honoured to have him as our Patron - 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
Dr Onima Chowdhury - Consultant Haematologist
Dr. Chowdhury is a consultant haematologist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust. She specialises in myelodysplastic syndromes and serves as a scientific advisor to MDS UK Patient Support Group. - Read More
Janet Hayden - Clinical Nurse Specialist
Janet Hayden is a Myeloid Clinical Nurse Specialist working in the department of Haematological Medicine at Kings College NHS Foundation Trust. - Read More
Major Supporters
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
Rhonda Jacques
Rhonda, a former lecturer and college manager, had to retire due to a diagnosis of MDS (MLD). Since then, Rhonda has been an active member of the MDS community, particularly in Cheshire and Merseyside. - Read More
Staff
Debbie Hickman - Acting CEO
Debbie experienced outstanding support from MDS UK for her family. Her extensive management career, including a national charity role, led her to join MDS UK in 2022 to offer the same support to others - Read More
Ashleigh Venables - Fundraising Officer
Experienced in fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK and RNIB, Ashleigh joined MDS UK in May 2022. Contact Ashleigh for fundraising and volunteering opportunities - 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