Michelle met Harry Townsend (founder of the Melanoma Fund) at a local fundraiser in 2013, where he convinced her that working for a charity would be a good idea. Of course, Harry was right, and after a few months, she jumped on board, bringing with her over 30 years’ experience in PR and marketing. She set to work building a new website, logo, branding, and a future strategy for national campaigning.

In 2014 Michelle created the Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code, inspired by a sunburn received by her son whilst playing tennis. In 2016 she launched the Watch Your Back! campaign, and in 2019, the Slip! Slap! Swing! sun protection campaign for golf.

Most recently Michelle created Sunguarding Sport and Sunguarding Outdoors to create more awareness of the importance of sun protection in sport and outdoor recreation.

Michelle is responsible for the day to day running of the Melanoma Fund, building, and expanding the charity’s four prevention campaigns, organising and attending all the charity’s events, and keeping the trustees in order!

Her passion and drive have helped the charity thrive, developing multiple partnerships, key supporters, and strong links within the community; the type of impact more fitting a larger organisation.

Mark is a management and advertising consultant, with over 30 years of hands-on experience, having owned companies in both New Zealand and Australia. He is a life coach, a business mentor and works with a number of New Zealand based charities. He has been involved with the Townsend family since 1971, and organised Harry Townsend’s legendary 800 km walk, pushing a wheelbarrow from Wellington (NZ) to Cape Reinga.

This effort helped raise awareness and funds for melanoma prevention and at the same time founded Melanoma NZ. After leaving the NZ charity in 2014, both himself and Harry received an honorary trustee awards in recognition of their massive input.

Mark, who has lived in NZ since 1975, now travels extensively spending six months of each year in Europe where he keeps close tabs on the Melanoma Fund, attends the charity’s monthly meetings virtually or in person, and provides support and advice. Mark utilises his vast relevant experience and skills, to ensure the charity achieves its objectives, maximises opportunities and remains compliant.

Charlie is a self-confessed ‘businessman’ currently at the helm of several high-profile companies. He has worked in journalism, PR and marketing with a particular interest in technology.

He served as a co-director of a London based consultancy which was later sold to a major UK advertising agency. He holds a BSc and a MPhil in psychology, the latter from Sussex University.

Charlie has been linked with the Townsend family since his early days of playing rugby at Felbridge Juniors, and brings his extensive commercial acumen to the charity in his role as a trustee and treasurer as well as advisor on marketing and business matters.

Brian Diffey is Emeritus Professor of Photobiology in Dermatological Sciences, Institute of Cellular Medicine at the University of Newcastle.

During his career in the NHS, he established an internationally respected research programme in skin photobiology, particularly in the measurement of personal sun exposure; its effects in normal and diseased human skin; and ways to minimise excessive exposure, especially using topical sunscreens.

He has advised several bodies on sun exposure and skin health including the World Health Organization, Department of Health, and the Cancer Research UK SunSmart programme.

Professor Diffey has been honoured on a number of occasions for his work on sun protection including the award of the Medal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists, and the prestigious Baly gold medal by the Royal College of Physicians. Previous recipients of this medal included Charles Darwin.

His recent book Sun Protection: a risk management approach received positive reviews including, “Really fantastic comprehensive book about sun from one of the pioneers in the field“ (www.labmuffin.com)”

He invented both the UVA Star Rating for sunscreens in conjunction with Boots in the UK, and the Critical Wavelength adopted by the Food & Drug Administration in the USA as the sole measure of broad-spectrum protection.

Always keen to provide his expert advice, Brian works with the charity to ensure that all published facts and advice is accurate and up to date, writing blogs and media articles to help spread the word on sun protection and the charity’s work.

Dr Elizabeth Blakeway-Manning (aka Lizzy) is a consultant dermatologist at the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, with expertise in all aspects of general and paediatric dermatology, skin cancer diagnosis and management and skin surgery.

She undertook her medical degree at Cambridge University and Imperial College, London, thereafter completing postgraduate Foundation and Core Medical training within London. Subsequent to this, she undertook a Clinical and Research Fellowship in Dermatology based at Whipps Cross Hospital, London after which she completed Dermatology specialist training in her home county of Yorkshire. She is an author on numerous peer-reviewed articles and has presented at both national and international levels.

Lizzy is passionate about raising awareness regarding the importance of sun protection and is involved with the Melanoma Fund’s Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign, where she has acted as a spokesperson, endorsing the campaign’s key messages, aimed at educating golfers and greenkeepers. Having a love of sport herself, Lizzy places sun protection and skin cancer awareness in this arena, close to her heart.

Dr Clive Dewing qualified from St George’s Hospital London in 1979 and has dedicated over 30 years of his career to practicing as a GP in SW Kent, with a special focus on minor skin surgery.

An active outdoor enthusiast, he is deeply committed to the fact that prevention is better than cure, aligning closely with the mission of our charity.

Clive’s passion for skin cancer prevention is rooted in educating the public, particularly those who spend significant time outdoors, whether for work or leisure. With 15 years of experience as an educator of health professionals, he has actively promoted the importance of skin care among his peers.

He is trained to recognise melanoma in its many guises as well as understanding its pathogenesis.

As an advisor, Clive serves as a spokesperson for the charity and provides expert skin checks, engaging talks, and keynote speeches. He is dedicated to raising awareness about the hereditary nature of melanoma and advocates routine skin checks, particularly for individuals who spend considerable time outdoors.

Clive maintains that, while education is vital, regular surveillance is also vital for effective skin cancer prevention.

David is a passionate sport teacher and rugby coach, and all-around sportsman, dedicated to inspiring others to get involved in sport. Formerly at Clevedon School, David has over 40 years of experience in both playing and teaching and brings a wealth of expertise to his coaching, and now, to the charity.

We met David in 2020, when he launched a unique fundraiser in memory of his sister Dawn, who sadly passed away in 2008 after a short battle with melanoma. During lockdown, David combined his humour and community spirit by pledging to do 25 press-ups a day for 25 days, encouraging his former pupils to donate. His efforts sparked a social media frenzy, and the campaign ended up raising over £15,000 for the charity. (See more HERE).

After relocating from Somerset to Leeds to be with his daughters, David continued to stay involved with the charity and recognised a new opportunity to further our mission through his work with disadvantaged young people in sports.

As a Trustee and Sunguard ambassador, David brings his extensive experience, personal connection and hands on approach to help us raise awareness. He will focus on promoting sun safety to PE teachers, coaches, and young athletes, ensuring the next generation is informed and protected from the dangers of skin cancer as a fitting legacy to Dawn.

Rob is an enthusiastic advocate for sun safety in sport, primarily involved in football and within his local and regional communities. With a personal journey shaped by his experience with melanoma, Rob brings a unique and powerful perspective to the Sunguard team.

Reflecting on his childhood, Rob recalls an entire youth spent within the amateur football environment including summer tournaments and trips abroad where sun safety education was in the main, absent.  He recognises the importance of having a relatable and respected voice in the conversation around sun protection. Through his experiences, he aims to fill this gap and ensure that young athletes and their families understand the essentials of sun safety.

Leveraging his extensive network of football contacts, Rob is dedicated to reaching a wide audience of FA regional bodies, coaches, parents, and young athletes. He believes that by creating awareness and education within these groups, using the Melanoma Fund’s resources, he can help create meaningful change and promote healthy sun habits for future generations.

Mr Siva Kumar Veeramani is a UK-trained consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon appointed at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead and working in their Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit.

Siva supports the Melanoma Fund by providing his expert advice and knowledge to their prevention campaigns, acts as a media spokesperson on medical issues and provides his time, when not busy, at the charity’s skin check clinics.