Meet the Friends of ROSHNI UK Team
The Friends of ROSHNI UK Committee is elected every year at the AGM. We are all volunteers (FoR has no employed staff), and have different roles on the committee. To be on the committee, you have to be a paid-up member of FoR, but you don’t need to have any experience of charity management. We meet 4 times a year, and our function is to manage the growth and day-to-day administration of the charity. Here’s a little bit about each of the committee members:
Chairperson:
“My name is Penny O'Sullivan. I worked as the Physiotherapy Coordinator at ROSHNI for 2½ years, from 2001-2004. When I returned home, I wanted to continue supporting the amazing and vital work ROSHNI are doing in Gwalior, and so founded Friends of ROSHNI UK. I am currently the Chairperson of the committee, and also the director of the charity.”
Vice Chair
“My name is Becky Boyer and I have been on the Friends of Roshni UK committee since 2006. Other than my role as Vice Chair, I mainly help FOR UK with their volunteer programme and assist with fundraising events. I spent six weeks working at ROSHNI (India) as a volunteer student Occupational Therapist. I was very inspired by the work that ROSHNI does to improve the lives of children with disabilities and wished to continue to support this.”
Treasurer
“I'm Mick Fox, Treasurer of Friends of ROSHNI UK. Four visits to ROSHNI since 2002 have convinced me that their work, not only in helping individuals, but also in changing public perception of disabilities is having a huge and beneficial effect. I'm pleased to have the chance to help.”
Secretary
“Hi my name is Clare Fox and I'm the secretary for Friends of ROSHNI UK. I have been lucky enough to visit ROSHNI on five occasions. I visited twice to spend time with Penny whilst she was working there. One of the things (and there were many) that greatly impressed me was how the ROSHNI team involved and educated the whole family unit in caring for and supporting their child. It is a very special place.”
Fundraising Coordinator
“My name's Susanne Grinham and I am Friends of ROSHNI UK's Fundraising Co-ordinator. I visited ROSHNI twice whilst my sister was working there as a volunteer and was so inspired by the staff and children alike that I wanted to get involved with FoR as soon as I heard about it.”
Child Sponsorship Coordinator
“Hi my name is Caroline Regan, I'm the sponsorship co-ordinator for Friends of Roshni UK. I'm an Occupational Therapist and I volunteered for Roshni in 2005- 2006 and visited again briefly in 2007. I know first hand that what Roshni does makes a real difference to the lives of the children, their families and the local community.”
Committee Members
“My name is Vivien Astbury and I worked in India as a physiotherapist, through VSO, from 2000 to 2002. Whilst there I had contact with Penny when she was working with ROSHNI and met people connected with ROSHNI. This gave me an understanding of the work and organisation and so I was very pleased to help on my return to the UK.”
“My name is Damian O'Sullivan and I know Roshni very well from my time teaching for a year and a half at a nearby school in Gwalior. The work Roshni does makes a big difference to so many lives. I always enjoyed visiting the centre. I am pleased to be a part of Friends of Roshni UK.”
“Hi, I’m Vicki, I work as a physiotherapist with Penny in Manchester. Penny has made me very aware of the work of ROSHNI, and I was lucky enough to visit with her in September 2008 for the grand opening of the new school building. I was very impressed with the set-up and feel that Friends of ROSHNI UK has a lot to offer to support the team there. It will be nice to go back again and see the 1st floor finished and in use.”