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Thalidomide Society

The Team

Our Staff & Volunteers

Today, the Thalidomide Society is governed by a Board of Trustees, who are elected by the Society’s members. Board members recognise their strategic role in the governance of the Charity.

Board of Trustees

Mandy De La Mare
Chair

Hello, my name is Mandy de la Mare and I am the current chair of the Thalidomide Society. I have been on the Board of Trustees since 2020 and have been a member of the society since being a baby, my parents were involved with founding the society in the 1960s.

I have always been an advocate for the society, it has played a key role in my life. We hold an annual conference where I get to meet up with many friends who live too far away to see on a regular basis.

I have also recently taken up a bit of public speaking in my local area talking about living with thalidomide, this has gone down very well and I am going to be doing quite a few more. I would certainly want to see the society continuing as long as it can. The oral history project will also help to leave our stories for future reference which I think is a good thing.

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Board of Trustees

Eddie Freeman
Vice Chair

It is incredibly important to me to see the Thalidomide Society remain strong, inclusive, and sustainable — not only for today’s members, but for the future. It will be a privilege to contribute to its legacy and play a part in shaping the support, connection, and advocacy it provides for years to come.

Board of Trustees

Darren Mansell
Acting Treasurer

I have served on and off for many years now and wish to stay involved as the Society enters a crucial stage of its life.

I have been the Acting Treasurer for the past 12 months, and we are currently transitioning over to new Financial Advisors. I very much enjoy being part of the Board of Trustees.

Geraldine Freeman
Trustee

I have served on the board previously. Presently, I am the lead trustee for the Society project, Personal Support – Maintaining our Dignity & Independence, which has generated a great deal of interest. I enjoy working alongside my fellow trustees as a team. I am looking forward to seeing how the Society evolves over the next few years, helping to ensure it continues to thrive and move forward.

Sue Gooding
Trustee

I enjoy being on the board of trustees as I like helping others and getting involved with the Thalidomide community. It is a lovely way of keeping in touch with others on a face-to-face basis rather than just over zoom calls when having the AGM.

I get involved with all that the board of trustees does throughout the year and have taken on the role of admin for the Facebook group. I am presently Chair of the Finance sub-committee and have been involved in helping to organise the AGMs.

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Ros Hepple
Trustee

I have experience as a volunteer that has involved supporting my fellow beneficiaries to encourage and adapt to the challenging changes life is bringing as we get older.

I believe in being democratic, building bridges between people, searching for collective ways forward, and steering things away from unnecessary conflict, which, I believe, is essential as a trustee of a charity.

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Margaret Hogg
Trustee

I have been involved with the Society for many years. I am one of the original parents who helped to set up the parent support group that eventually became the Society. I am very proud to be an honorary trustee of the Society.

Elaine Hulme
Trustee

My commitment to equity, inclusion, and independence for people with disabilities is my motivation for becoming a Volunteer Trustee. I am drawn to this role because it offers the opportunity to put my lived experience and personal qualities to valuable use. 

Working collaboratively with the existing Trustees to both support and enhance the lives of current members, and to ensure the Thalidomide Society can continue to facilitate this, hopefully, for future generations.

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David Ticknell
Trustee

I joined the Society board of Trustees in 2022 because I enjoy doing and helping more than just taking. I have served on many committees in my lifetime and enjoy being part of a team.

I feel that I can add my knowledge and experience in many areas, including IT and organising, and hopefully I can make a difference.

I really enjoy working with others, helping as best I can, as well as getting to know the wider community. I am always positive and dedicated to whatever tasks I undertake and will always give 100% commitment.

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Volunteers

Zoë Dunklin
Volunteer Trustee

I am Zoë Dunklin and I am a Volunteer Trustee. I was born in 1973 with phocomelia and other congenital defects due to my mother’s insulin not being monitored sufficiently. I hope to be part of a team who will work to continue the Society’s narrative over the coming years.

Your history and the history of the society needs to continued and not forgotten. In my opinion your parents and carers worked too hard to start the society to be forgotten!

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Administration

Julie Dixon
Staff

I have many years of experience working in the Charity Sector. The last 7 years working as an CEO of a small national charity, of similar size to the Thalidomide Society.

I am also Chair of a local infrastructure organisation in Derbyshire, and a trustee of a local charity supporting adults with learning disabilities. Previous experience includes HR business manager in local government and a Psychotherapist in private practice. Relaxation, you will find me in my garden or greenhouse or out on my bike.

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Administration

Heather Trueman
Assistant Administrator

I have over 10 years of experience working in charitable organisations, supporting teams to achieve shared goals while upholding the charity’s values and mission.

I’ve adapted to meet the changing needs of each organisation and contributed wherever I was needed.

I’m also a qualified Therapeutic Counsellor, which strengthens my understanding of the challenges people face. I’m motivated by roles that support individuals to reach their full potential.

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