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SportsAid Eastern will undergo a period of significant change as the charity bids farewell to two long-standing figureheads.
Mark Ormerod has stepped down as Chair having served his maximum term of office and Sally Peck OBE has retired from her regional coordinator role having given 24 loyal years of service. Despite the changes, we are delighted Mark has accepted the honorary Vice President position which will see him continue to host several lunch events across the region.
Mark will be replaced by Melanie Beck MBE who is well known to the charity. Melanie has previously served as trustee of the charity, is well known in the Milton Keynes network and is the current Chair for World Aquatics (formerly FINA).
We have also appointed two new trustees, Simon Deans and Sally Purbrick. Simon brings a wealth of legal and commercial expertise having been the Senior Partner at B P Collins LLP (founding sponsors of our South Bucks network) for many years and Sally adds significant HR leadership experience having been at Anglian Water Services for over 30 years.
Retiring Chair Mark Ormerod said;
“Following an intensive open recruitment process I am delighted that we have attracted 3 excellent trustees, including our new Chair. Following a near catastrophic period for the charity during the global pandemic, we have worked extremely hard to rebuild the charity. I am delighted that our charitable earnings in the last financial period are our second highest; and we have been able to support 50 athletes, with almost a third of these young athletes registered disabled. I am delighted to welcome Melanie Beck MBE, Sally Purbrick and Simon Deans as trustees; a wonderful time to join in an Olympic and Paralympic year where we will see some of the young people we have supported hopefully achieve their dreams”.
Commenting on Sally’s immense service, Mark said,
“Sally is one of those exceptional unsung heroes who has been a constant for as long as I have known SportsAid Eastern. Sally has consistently provided calming reassurance, that our events will run well, that our young athletes are connected, our guest speakers are booked, as well as representing the region on the National Selection Committee.”
Sally said,
“Following SportsAid Eastern’s revival in 1999, £2.5m has been fundraised and presented to local athletes helping them fulfil their ambitions in sport and life. I feel immensely proud to have worked with Roger Fennemore MBE and Mark Ormerod in achieving these goals.”
New Trustees
Sally Purbrick (Trustee)
“Joining the SportsAid Eastern Board as a trustee combines a number of areas I really enjoy and where I want to make a difference. These include sport, social mobility and genuinely making a difference to young people with exceptional sporting talent. My HR experience including leading a team focussed on D&I, life experience as a Mum to young sporting talent who has represented GB and previous fundraising experience will complement the already talented and experienced Trustees.”
Simon Deans (Trustee)
“I’m delighted to be joining the Board of Trustees of a charity that I feel passionately about and which my law firm has supported through the South Bucks sporting lunch club for many years. Sport plays a huge role in my life, both as an enthusiastic participant, supporter and as father to three very sporty teenagers, so I know first-hand how positive it can be for those involved. SportsAid Eastern helps to support our future sporting heroes and I look forward to working with the Board and team to ensure that continues to great effect.“
