Emma Hallam – CEO, Co-Founder, Trustee and the best job – Alex’s Mum
Having worked in many corporate businesses throughout my life, I decided to set-up Alex’s Wish shortly after my only son Alex was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy back in 2010. Having received a diagnosis like this, it changes your whole perspective on life. I knew instantly that working towards finding new treatments to help save my son’s life was where I needed to focus my efforts. Since late 2012, I have been working on Alex’s Wish whilst also having a second child Isla who came along in early 2013. Since launching Alex’s Wish I’ve never looked back. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved so far and have so many plans for the future. What I do know is that Alex is a more positive person than he would have been without Alex’s Wish. It gives him so much hope for the future – right now we are making the most of life whilst raising vital funds to help all children and young adults with Duchenne live a longer and more fulfilling life. I’ve also conquered many things with the charity including two sky dives (I hate flying and heights), walked the 3 peak challenge, cycled the Charnwood Forest Cycle Ride (several times) as well as the Prudential Ride London and the London to Paris Cycle Ride – but it doesn’t end there I have many more plans to help raise vital funds. This is now my passion.
Zoe Edwards – Events and Fundraising Manager
Zoe has been good friends of Emma and Andy for many years, she’s known Alex ever since he was born. Having worked in many corporate businesses as a Business Consultant, Account Director and Product Manager Zoe started working alongside Emma in 2014 and hasn’t looked back since. Zoe is incredibly passionate about the cause and wants more than anything to cure this devastating disease for all those affected. Zoe has also taken part in many of Alex’s Wish events including running marathons, cycling from London to Paris and the Prudential Ride London.
Heather Stone – Admin Manager
Heather has joined our team to keep us and all we do organised, and what a fabulous job she does of it!! Having worked for the government for most of her career this is a lovely change, and a great way to use her skills and experience. Heather has a son Will that goes to Liverpool University now, but was once at school with Alex – so known about Alex’s Wish for a very long time.
Our Trustees
Alexandra Slack – Chair of Trustee Board
Following a detailed interview process I was thrilled to receive an email from Alex’s Wish appointing me as a Trustee. I have been keenly watching this wonderful charity from the side-lines for the last few years and have seen them go from strength to strength with Emma at the helm. It was amazing to hear, first-hand, at the Annual Supporters Thank You Lunch about the incredible work Alex’s Wish continues to do locally to support Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – which is a ticking time bomb for any child or family of a child living with this horrible disease.
I’m excited to be no longer watching from the side-lines. Instead I am now fully involved and I hope I can add value to Alex’s Wish with my experience of events and of also working as a Corporate Fundraiser for LOROS Hospice for five years back in 2015. I am keen to play an active part in helping Alex’s Wish raise more money so that they can invest it into finding a cure for Duchenne in the not so distant future.
Chris Everard – Vice Chair
Chris Everard met Emma through Vistage, an Executive Coaching and Leadership mentoring group. Chris is a Chair of two Vistage groups, his past experience saw him as a retail pioneer, business leader, successful entrepreneur and rugby coach: and his valuable experience is vital to Alex’s Wish. What Chris says about his Vistage group applies equally to his work with Alex’s Wish. “The principles of success have changed surprisingly little over time but the proof only comes with experience. It’s a privilege to be able to share such experience with some remarkable people in a way that helps them and their businesses fulfill their potential.”
Andy Hallam – Co-Founder, Trustee & Alex’s Dad
Andy set up Alex’s Wish with his wife Emma to ensure that all funding is focused on advancing research – and getting treatments into the clinic and to patients as quickly as possible. Andy runs his own Construction Business – Hallam Read and helps run the charity alongside Emma and Zoe. Andy has also taken part in many of Alex’s Wish events including finishing the London Marathon (twice!), cycled from London to Paris, taken part in the Prudential Ride London and cycled the Coast to Coast challenge. He’s not given up his trainers yet – and plans to do more for Alex’s Wish in the future.
Glynis Wright – Board of Trustees
Glynis Wright is specialises in Family Law at Nelsons. Glynis agreed to be a Trustee for Alex’s Wish, as she believes it is an incredible charity and because Emma is a ball of energy and an inspiration. Glynis felt if she did something to help it is actually going to make a huge difference to saving lives. Such is the compelling nature of the charity that Glynis has already jumped out of a plane for Alex’s Wish and has signed up to Wing Walk for Alex’s Wish in 2019.
Janine Edwards – Board of Trustees
Janine has known Emma for a number of years and has held three events for Alex’s Wish. Janine was delighted to be invited to join the Board of Trustees. Along with this Janine is a Platinum of the Alex’s Wish Business Club.
Janine has been a Wealth Management Adviser for over 30 years and owns her own Principal Partner Practice within St James Place Wealth Management. Janine and her team deal with all manner of financial and wealth management advice for both corporate and individual clients, from the simplest to the most complex and is delighted to continue to work with Alex’s Wish in a formal capacity.
The Partner Practice represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/about-st-james-place/our-business/our-products-and-services. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.
Sally Barnett – Board of Trustees
Sally Barnett was introduced to Alex’s Wish by now-fellow Trustee Glynis Wright of Glynis Wright & Co. Speaking of her appointment as a Trustee Sally said, “I’ve been a barrister in family law for 31 years and have always been passionate about the work I do to support and help children and families. When Glynis first mentioned Alex’s Wish and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy I admit that I wasn’t very familiar with the disease but I was happy to meet with Emma. Emma fizzes with energy and is incredibly effervescent and we had a really good conversation which led me to choose Alex’s Wish as the Chambers Charity of the Year. We have since made Alex’s Wish our permanent charity for chambers and when Emma approached me about potentially becoming a Trustee I jumped at the chance. This fabulous charity does such amazing work raising funds to research and bring to all children suffering with Duchenne treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Supporting Emma and becoming a Trustee of Alex’s Wish really is the least I can do.”
Tom Carter – Board of Trustees
Tom is studying journalism at the University of Leicester and has a particular interest in media including social media. We are very much looking forward to working with him and gaining his insights.
Commenting on the appointment Tom said, “I’m incredibly honoured to be joining the fantastic team here at Alex’s Wish and take part in the already great work being done. It is such an exciting time to be involved with the charity and I hope that what I can bring to the table as a student of journalism combined with some fresh ideas will help us on our journey to find a cure for Duchenne.”
Sandesh Jesrani, Board of Trustees
Sandesh Jesrani of Sharman Fielding Chartered Accountants has joined the Board of Trustees as Treasurer.
Sandesh quotes “I am very excited and very happy to be joining Alex’s Wish on their Board of Trustees. I’m looking forward to adding value and drawing on my previous experience within the charity sector from when I was a volunteer for Age UK. I joined Alex’s Wish because I believe in the mission that the charity has and in what we stand for. As I have more time to dedicate to something like this I wanted to jump in and give something back.”
If you would like to join our growing team of Trustees, please get in touch – we would love to hear from you. It’s a very rewarding job and not too onerous, contact Emma Hallam on 07903 349475 or email emma@alexswish.co.uk to find out more.