APF is a patient driven organisation, it is vital to us that our community is a safe space for all, regardless of background, sexuality, gender, disability, or race. We gain strength from the wide variety of backgrounds that people come with. We value your unique experience and want your voice to be heard.
Alison Stewart
Alison lives with family in a small village in North Lanarkshire, not too far from Glasgow.
Apart from a short spell where she returned to the civil service, Alison has been working in the voluntary sector for the past 16 years, supporting service users, their carers and families. Alison has also had the pleasure of working with volunteers, supporting them to make such huge difference to peoples lives.
Alison loves reading, walking the dogs and spending time with family. During lockdown, she completed a training course in celebrancy, so is now a qualified celebrant too!
Amy Lloyd
I’ve worn a few different fundraising hats over the years, but most of my experience is in philanthropy. I am very excited to help APF build a robust and sustainable income stream through philanthropic partnerships.
Over the years I have been known to do lots of crazy things for charity including skydiving,zip wiring, bungee jumping, running, and trekking up mountains!
At home I enjoy time with my husband and our teenage son, we share our home with two rescue dogs and a rescue cat. I love walking with my dogs in the beautiful Cotswold countryside. In my spare time I work with a small elephant welfare charity supporting their fundraising efforts, and I am still a part time martial arts instructor.
Andy Bright
Andy’s motto ‘Never Give Up’ arose through his love of sport - he says: “When I became ill, I applied this mentality to the understanding and management of my condition and the impact on my family and work life. I have a wealth of passion, expertise, understanding and of course, first-hand experience, and relish the opportunity to help those who are suffering from this cruel disease. I have been involved in PF support groups now for over 6 years (West Bromwich and the PFTx transplant group) and have also raised awareness for organ donation.” Andy’s work experience includes operations and data management, sales and marketing, customer services and support, latterly with Birmingham City Council’s Adult Social Care team. In 2020 Andy received a Chamberlain Award for excellence. Read Andy's story.
Tel: 07508 857146
Email: andy@actionpf.org
Bradley Price
Cathy Jackson-Read
Cathy brings a wide range of skills and experience in supporting the growth and development of voluntary and community organisations and working in partnership with health and social care providers to improves services and support for patients and service users. She looks forward to working with APF support groups and health services across the Midlands, South Wales and the South West to enable people living with Pulmonary Fibrosis to live the best life possible.
Cathy enjoys walking on the Malvern Hills, spending time with family and friends and travelling.
Clare Hodkinson
Clare's main role will be to support the charity’s grant funding programme, to champion the role of the PF community in the design and development of research, and to raise awareness of opportunities to participate in research.
Clare lives with pulmonary fibrosis herself and has cared for similarly affected family members. She very much enjoys supporting her local PF community as a Support Group committee member and is passionate about raising awareness. She loves to travel, and try out new experiences, with her husband and daughter. In precious moments of downtime, Clare loves to curl up with her latest crochet or knitting project and indulge in some zombie or sci-fi action and adventure.
Chloe Hough
Chloe brings experience of finding out the needs of patientswith respiratory conditions, and problem-solving to meet these needs. Outsideof work, Chloe enjoys spending time climbing and hiking in the Peak District.”
Chloe Stevenson
Chloe’s role is to ensure the smooth day to day running of the support services department for individuals living with pulmonary fibrosis and their carer’s.
She is passionate about ensuring patients and carers are heard and have the correct information and support at the right time to enable them to have a good quality of life with PF.
Outside of work Chloe enjoys spending time with family, she has a son Ethan and also enjoys cooking and listening to lots of different types of music.
Emma Byrne
Emma ensures the smooth running of APF’s digital fundraising activities and working to resource and inspire APF’s amazing fundraisers! Emma loves working with a great team and speaking to lovely people who raise such amazing funds for APF.
Outside of work Emma spends her time with family, friends and a little dog called Charlie.
Email: Emmab@actionpf.org
Emma Pelling
Emma is responsible for raising awareness of pulmonary fibrosis among the media and public at large.
Emma enjoys working with the team and is particularly inspired by the stories of those living with pulmonary fibrosis and their determination to help others.
Outside of work, you’ll find Emma walking and cycling in the South Downs with her boisterous boys and border terrier!
Email: emma@actionpf.org
Emma Webber
In her spare time, Emma enjoys hiking and being out in nature, cooking, painting, running and going to festivals. She's also a Website Editor and Social Media Volunteer for a cat charity, writing about cats that are ready for adoption, happy rehoming stories and charity fundraising events.
Jo Murch
She is excited to grow and develop APF’s befriending service and is passionate about the power of listening to bring people together and help people feel less alone and more understood.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing and sewing and playing with her two cats!
John Parr
John is passionate about research and facilitating positive, patient-led change in the charity sector. Outside of work, John likes hiking in the Peak District, going to gigs, and squeezing in time to travel as much as possible.
Julia Stoward
Julia brings with her a wide range of transferable skills and experience and is a strong advocate for ensuring people with a disability lead their best possible lives; which she intends to utilise in her role as Support Network Coordinator- London and Southeast. Outside of work Julia enjoys entertaining and spending time with her family and friends, taking part in various sporting activities and has a passion for travelling.
Katherine Wright
Originally working in events and marketing, she began working in Individual Giving with a health service charity in 2021.
Kerry Oliver
Kerry enjoys managing a committed and dedicated APF Operations team and loves to see how the team’s passion and dedication helps improve the lives of patients and increases education in the medical profession.
Outside of work Kerry spends time with her family, she has two boys Thomas and Finnley. Kerry also loves travelling and often visits family in Spain and Australia.
Kirstie Atkins
Her passion for research, along with her Dad living life to the fullest, whilst having IPF until he died in February 2023, is what drives her to make a positive difference to the PF community.
Kirstie loves being part of APF and working together with passionate colleagues who are all striving to stop fibrosis in its tracks. She is driven to raise awareness of not only PF, but also the opportunities for people affected by the disease to take part in research.
Outside of work, Kirstie enjoys yoga, following the PF research literature, and supporting her younger brother’s rugby career.
Lisa Murray
In her spare time, Lisa volunteers with her local Scouting Group and loves hunting for vintage jackets.
Lisa Gardener
Since she has started she's been inspired by the community of people who are making strides to raise awareness and improve the lives of people affected by pulmonary fibrosis, and wants to help support APF's mission and vision to continue on this journey.
If you want to get in touch with the communications team please email: communications@actionpf.org
Naomi Gay
Naomi has worked for Mind and Rethink mental illness before moving into health research and setting up the patient involvement team at Cancer Research UK. Always eager to take on a new challenge, Naomi has also worked for the British Heart Foundation and Versus Arthritis and is eager to use this experience to partner with people affected by PF.
Natalie Martin
Natalie uses data, insight and evidence to help shape the journey of our valued fundraisers. She makes sure APF is providing a range of innovative and exciting events and fundraising activities for our supporters to join in with. She is also developing our Celebrations Giving programme and works closely with our wonderful corporate fundraisers.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband, son and rescue Schnoodles Peppa.& Barkley
Email: natalie@actionpf.org
Nicola Griffiths
Having worked in the voluntary sector for 10 years providing support services for children, adults, and their carers, with disabilities. Prior to this Nicola worked in Public Health NHS roles designing and monitoring smoking cessation services and campaigning for tobacco control policies.
Nicola’s role at APF is to help extend the reach of APF, ensure we provide a comprehensive support group network and access to the best possible care and support for people living with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Outside of work Nicola enjoys spending time with her family and friends and being creative with food in the kitchen.
Pauline Baird
As a nurse for 35 years Pauline feels incredibly privileged to be able to offer support through the helpline. She says she has met many amazing people with PF who are so positive about the support they have received from APF and have said it feltlike a lifeline. She feels incredibly lucky to work with such a wonderfully supportive team who put everything into making a difference for people with PF. Pauline has personal experience of caring for a relative with a life limiting condition and having oxygen therapy at home, Nasopharyngeal suction and enteral feeding – this insight is what drives Pauline to support the APF community. Pauline is also a bereavement volunteer with Cruse Bereavement Support.
Pauline enjoys long walks with her Labrador and spending time with her family. In her spare time, she plays in a Ukulele band who perform at village fetes and care homes.
Rebecca-Rafiyah Findlay
Having spent almost decade in the NHS leading strategic communications and fundraising for an acute hospital Trust (and through the coronavirus pandemic) Rebecca-Rafiyah is passionate about making sure people with pulmonary fibrosis have a voice and influence. A huge animal lover, Rebecca-Rafiyah is also a Non-Executive Director of a Devon charity that rescues and rehabilitates horses and ponies. She’s part of a British-Egyptian family and has a five-year old daughter.
Rukhsana Kosar
Rukhsana enjoys long walks, spending time with family and reading.
Sally Birkin
Sally has always been passionate about helping others, previously working in customer service roles during her career. She loves the opportunities her role at APF presents.
Outside of work Sally enjoys spending time with her 2 daughters Megan and Daisy, and several cats. She also loves history and likes to collect stamps, in her passport.
Sarah Seymour
Sarah enjoys raising funds to help charities grow their services to reach more people; she is motivated by the impact funds will have on the well-being of patients and carers. Outside of work Sarah is happiest on a country walk with her 4 year old daughter or catching up on reading for her book club!
Email: sarah@actionpf.org
Stef Cormack
She became APF’s Head of Services in 2022, after working with the charity on a range of projects prior to that. The APF team are delighted to be in safe hands during this interim period, as we continue to support more people affected by PF across the UK.
Stef's role will focus on the day-to-day running of the charity, in addition to leading our talented support team who can really make a difference to people living with PF and their families.
Sharon Clinch
Sharon is also a dressage coach and judge and in her spare time enjoys dog agility classes with her Shetland sheepdog DeeDee.
Sharon Moon
A former Fundraising Support Co-ordinator at APF, Sharon now supports our individual givers and in memory donors.
Sharon enjoys working with our individual givers and understands their motivations to support APF in achieving its key ambitions. She likes working alongside fundraising team and connecting with a wide range of supporters.
Outside of work Sharon splits her time between Ware in Herts and South London. She enjoys yoga, swimming and is a qualified netball umpire.
Email: sharon@actionpf.org
Tanya Airewele
Within Tanya's world as a HR and Operations Coordinator – she is here to ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. From managing employee onboarding and off boarding to coordinating day-to-day operations… you could say she has the magic touch.
Her aim is to continue creating a positive and productive work environment for everyone because after all, what is better than waking up to a job that you absolutely love?
Get ready to see some serious HR and operational awesomeness!”
Wendy Adams
Wendy studied Psychology at undergraduate level and has a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family going climbing, kayaking, mountaineering, and biking. She has a close family link to pulmonary fibrosis and understands what it means to care for someone with a life-changing diagnosis.
Wendy Jones
With the help of APF and her local respiratory nurse she set up a local support group and believes passionately in caring for and supporting patients and carers on their journey with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Her aim is to enable everyone who needs it, access to the right support services at the right time – wherever they live.
Outside of work, Wendy loves cycling and walking her dog in the beautiful Northwest area of the UK, and spending time with her son and friends.
Dr Michael Stubbins
Mike lost his Mum, Anne, to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis(IPF) in late 2017, after a brave 10 year battle with both the original diagnosis & subsequently the disease itself. Mike is honoured to serve as an APF trustee in memory of Anne and is driven to utilise the skills &experience he has gained throughout his career to help to increase APF’s links with the Pharma / Biotech / healthcare industry and to work towards the acceleration of PF research & education more broadly.
Steve Jones
Steve was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2008 and lived with the disease for eight years before receiving a single lung transplant in March 2016.
Now retired, Steve is a member of the Papworth Hospital Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group. He is also a Parish Councillor.
He serves on the board of the European IPF Federation (EU-IPFF) and the council of the European Lung Foundation. He believes that international collaboration will bring greater benefits to people affected by pulmonary fibrosis in the UK and beyond.
Dr Beckie Lang
Beckie sadly lost her mum, Trish, and two other relatives to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Her mum was fortunate to receive a single lung transplant but died three years later from transplant complications.
Beckie has been pleased to watch the charity grow over the last few years and has taken part in fundraising too. She is delighted to be a trustee and contribute to the development of the charity.
Dr Helen Parfrey
She also has an interest in the genetics of familial and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Dr Parfrey is a strong supporter of patient advocacy having established the pulmonary fibrosis patient support group at Papworth Hospital. She was a founding trustee of APF.
Matthew Suddart
Matthew was elected as a Local Councillor at the age of 18, inspired to try and make his community a better place for all. He brings a knowledge of local and national government that will be valuable for the charity.
Matthew lost his Grandad Des to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis at the age of 18. Des, a former steelworker was an inspiration to Matthew and taught him so many life lessons and values that will remain for the rest of his life. Matthew is honoured to serve as a trustee at APF in his Grandads memory.
In particular, Matthew wants APF to help support young carers in the future and is passionate that patients and families are better supported when receiving the news of a pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis.
Matthew is a keen runner and ran his first ever marathon for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2017.
Shama Malik
With an unwavering commitment to advocating for individuals grappling with physical or mental health challenges and their dedicated caregivers, Shama brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
Beyond her impactful work in the voluntary sector, Shama boasts a vibrant history as a seasoned radio broadcaster for a leading Asian radio station for an impressive 22 years. Additionally, she has lent her journalistic talents to a national Urdu newspaper for over a decade, adding a layer of diverse storytelling to her repertoire.
In 2022, Shama faced a personal health challenge when diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Undeterred, she channels her firsthand experience into a fervent desire to ensure that every patient receives top-notch care. Shama's journey is a testament to her resilience and passion for championing the well-being of others.
Dr Simon Hart
His research interests include inflammation and the immune system in pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis.
Stephen Morgan-Hyland
He is a Director of a leading planning and economics consultancy in Manchester, having previously been Commercial Planning Director at an internationally renowned property agency. He is involved with some of the largest commercial development projects in the UK.
Stephen lost his dad, Tony, to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2017. Tony had suffered with the condition for five years, but he was not diagnosed until it was too late for any long-term treatment.
Stephen is honoured to serve at a trustee for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis in his dad’s memory. He is driven to raise awareness of pulmonary fibrosis in the interests of both ensuring that clinical advances continue to be achieved and that early diagnosis is made in as many cases as is possible.
Stephen is a keen runner and often competes in races flying the Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis flag.
Wendy Dickinson
Wendy was a newspaper and radio journalist for many years before moving to the BBC as a drama publicist. She then worked for a leading UK family support charity as Communications Manager. She has published several factual books, including a biography of her late father. Based on her personal experience, Wendy believes that whilst the patient should always be at the heart of everything APF does, support for the whole family is also hugely important. She is passionate about investment in research and enjoys visiting support groups to learn about the real experiences of patients and families.
Professor Nick Wareham
He studied Medicine at St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School and Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Cambridge University, England. In 1992-3 he was a Harkness Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health. After research fellowships at the University of Cambridge, he took up the Directorship of the MRC Epidemiology Unit when it was founded in 2003. He is principal investigator of the EPIC-Norfolk study, the EPIC-InterAct project, the Fenland cohort and the ADDITION trial. His main research interests are in understanding the aetiology of type 2 diabetes, particularly in generating understanding about the interplay between genetic, developmental and behavioural risk factors. He also researches strategies for the early detection and prevention of diabetes, including individual and societal level interventions. He is the Director of the UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) and the NIHR Global Health Group on Diet and Activity Research (GDAR).
Dr Richard Allen
He completed a Mathematics and Statistics BSc at the University of York and Medical Statistics MSc at the University of Leicester.He is a work package lead on the DEMISTIFI consortium investigating the genetics of multi-organ fibrosis and in July will take a lecturer position at the University of Leicester and continue his research into the genetics of progressive pulmonary fibrosis.
Elizabeth Bray
Over the last few years, the magnificent support from fundraisers across the UK has enabled APF to grow in to a strong and effective charity and Elizabeth looks forward to continuing to support its development.
Susan Hall
I live in Cambridge and am married with four children. I am a fierce advocate of patient support groups most especially for patients like myself living with serious disease and high symptom burden. Having joined my local PF support group a few years after diagnosis , I progressed to Deputy Chair and am now Chair of the Papworth Hospital Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group.
In addition, I am a Registered Nurse and am fortunate enough to have been able to continue in clinical nursing following shielding through the pandemic ,working in the Transplant Unit at Cambridge University Hospital.
Professor Ling-Pei Ho
Her research programme focuses on the interface between immune mechanisms of lung injury and dysrepair (fibrosis) and development of new medicines. She set up the Oxford Sarcoidosis Clinical Service, and currently leads the clinical service. She is also Chair of the NIHR Respiratory Translational Research Collaboration network, current member of a NHSE Policy Working Group on refractory Sarcoidosis, advisory panel for ASPIRE (a NIHR UK Consortium for Acute Respiratory Infection Diagnosis and Management) and BIOREME (UK wide Biophysical Models in Respiratory Medicine). She has an H index of 42 and published more than 90 original papers.
Professor Ann Millar
Special interests in mechanisms of lung injury and repair related to clinical practice and expertise in interstitial lung disease.
Qualified in Liverpool and trained in General and Respiratory medicine in Liverpool and London.
Professor Chris Scotton
Chris studied Natural Sciences in Cambridge before embarking on a PhD at Cancer Research UK, followed by a Marie Curie fellowship in Milan - all focusing on tumour immunology. On returning to the UK in 2004, Chris took a segue into lung research working with Professor Rachel Chambers and the late Professor Geoff Laurent at UCL Respiratory, investigating interstitial lung diseases, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in particular. Like many people, Chris had never before heard of IPF, but rapidly came to realise the true value of working to understand this incurable disease. His research at UCL focused on innate immunity, coagulation and cellular/molecular biology; this was supported by career development fellowships from first the British Lung Foundation and subsequently the MRC. Chris moved from his role as a Principal Research Fellow at UCL to take up a Senior Lectureship in Exeter in 2014. Chris is an Associate Professor in Respiratory Biomedicine. In his spare time, Chris was also the Chairperson of the British Association for Lung Research from 2017 - 2021, has sat on the science & research committees of the British Lung Foundation and the British Thoracic Society, and is an Associate Editor of Thorax.
Professor Gisli Jenkins
His research focuses on the mechanisms by which injury leads to scarring in the lung. Lung scarring is the central process leading to disability and death in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It also occurs in diseases such as chronic asthma where it promotes airway remodelling and impaired lung function.
Professor Jenkins’ research work is funded by the National Institute of Health Research and organisations such as the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, charities and pharmaceutical companies.
He is leading the UK’s first James Lind Alliance Research Priority Setting Partnership for Pulmonary Fibrosis starting 2020. He was a founding trustee of the charity.