Charlotte Carpenter - Research & Partnerships Manager Expand Charlotte joined myaware in October 2022. She holds a degree in genetics and is has a research background in oncology and microbiology. She feels her new role at myaware will allow her to foster her passion for healthcare and the improvement of patient outcomes through research. Charlotte is an avid football enthusiast of the American and European variety and plays Dungeons and Dragons weekly. She lives in Glasgow with her partner, and her Patterdale terrier Mitzy. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290 219
Helen Critchlow - National Fundraising Manager Expand Helen joined myaware in 2017 as Regional Fundraiser for the Midlands and then became Partnerships & Events Fundraiser in 2021. During this time, she has spoken to, emailed, and met many of you to offer support with planning your fundraising events and activities. Helen took the role of National Fundraising Manager in July 2022 and is Iooking forward to leading the Fundraising Team to ensure all fundraising opportunities are maximised and that our loyal supporters and donors continue to be recognised and valued. In her leisure time Helen enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking in the hills around her Peak District home, and swimming at both her local indoor pool and lido. Email: [email protected] Telephone:01332 290 219
Jackie Thornhill - Office Manager Expand Jackie started working at myaware in 2001 and became office manager in January 2011. Jackie role is to deliver effective management of the Derby office and provide administrative support. To help provide excellent support to members of the charity and their families. To promote the missions, aims and objectives of myaware. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290 219
Leanne Culson - Community Fundraiser Expand Leanne joined myaware as Community Fundraiser in September 2024. She works part-time and also works as a Psychotherapist in private practice. Leanne has over ten years’ experience working for a variety of health charities and particularly enjoys working with people in their local communities to raise money, increase awareness and reach new audiences. Leanne lives with her two children in Derbyshire and enjoys swimming, baking tasty cakes, reading and long walks in the Peak District. Email: [email protected]
Zara St Hilaire - Events Fundraising Officer Expand Zara joined myaware as Events Fundraising Officer in October 2024. Zara is still studying for her Master’s in Public Health but is very keen to get into the world of work and build up experience within the third sector. Zara is very enthusiastic about fundraising as she really enjoys bringing people together for a great cause whilst improving community health and well-being. In her free time, Zara attends her local Church, leading out in the Women’s and Youth Ministries. She loves travelling and has travelled with her Church all around Europe, North and South America and Africa. She has organised events in all these places and is excited to use her skill set and grow it whilst with myaware. Email: [email protected]
Lee Owen - Individual Giving Fundraiser Expand Lee joined our Fundraising Team in October 2021. Since the beginning of 2020 he has raised over £15,000 for different charities, including myaware. He has worked in the charity sector for seven years and is keen to support myaware’s donors and supporters through their fundraising ‘journeys.’ Lee’s wife has myasthenia gravis and his Grandad also lived with it too. He feels very honoured to be able to be a part of the myaware team Email: [email protected]
Anna Rankin - National support Co-ordinator Expand Anna joined myaware in June 2024. Anna has a lot of experience of working in the voluntary sector in various support focused roles, she also brings with her education and teaching experience. Anna is very much looking forward to using her skills and expertise to benefit the myaware community. Anna lives on the Wirral with her husband, their three young children, and their little lurcher, Watson. When she's not out enjoying walks with Watson, she can usually be found with her nose in a good book. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290 219
Laura Maloney - National Support Co-ordinator Expand Laura joined the national support co-ordinator team in May 2023. Laura has worked across the healthcare sector, offering signposting, support, and guidance for over ten years. She has experience supporting individuals with myasthenia and looks forward to supporting myaware members. In her free time, Laura enjoys listening to audiobooks, and spending time with friends and family. Laura is passionate about maintaining and improving quality of life, and she looks forward to meeting and supporting members in her role as National Support Coordinator. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290 219
Christine Cooke - Accounts Officer Expand Christine joined myaware in April 2018 and she works alongside Jamie. Her main duties include managing the income received, payments, banking, petty cash and thanking people for their donations. She originally comes from East Yorkshire and worked in an Accounts job for 17 years before moving down to Derbyshire in August 2017 with her dog Jessie. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290219
Suzanne Molloy - Administrator Expand Suzanne is one of our Administration staff. She has been with the charity since 2008. Suzanne worked as a fundraiser for 11 years specialising in raising money from grant making trusts and foundations. Suzanne now works as a full-time administrator and is enjoying her new role, which includes providing administrative and clerical support to maintain the smooth running of the charity, answering incoming calls, signposting members, supporters, and donors to relevant departments. She has a daughter and a little poochon dog called Bella. Email: [email protected]Telephone: 01332 290 219
Lianne Wallis - Administrator Expand Lianne joined myaware in 2019 working as an Administrator, assisting the Office Manager with all administrative tasks. Part of Lianne’s role includes the distribution of newsletters and other mass mailings, managing membership, and updating member consent information. Lianne also provides support to members via the telephone, by signposting them to the relevant members of our Support Team. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290 219
Marc Smith - CEO Expand Marc Smith joined myaware as CEO in August 2025 and comes with a wealth of experience from the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, most recently being CEO at Brain & Spine Foundation and Vice Chair of Neurological Alliance in England. A statement from Marc on his role at myaware: "I feel privileged to be leading the talented team at myaware at such an important time. We are here to support everyone affected by myasthenia, and especially our valued members.Our mission remains clear: to work alongside all those impacted by myasthenia to build a platform where their voices can be heard—expressing not only their needs today but also their hopes and aspirations for the future. This means continuing our vital work in providing information and practical support, enabling peer-to-peer connections, advancing research into new treatments and care, and ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our membership.This is a particularly important moment for people affected by myasthenias and other rare neurological conditions, as the government continues to consult on its 10-year plan for the NHS. We are all acutely aware of how underserved neurology has been in the past. With members’ help and collective voice, we aim to change that.We embrace the opportunity of collaborations with valued industry partners, working with our members to advance research and development of new treatments."
Tracey Maitland - Professional Support Services Co‑Manager Expand Tracey is a manager in our Professional Support Services team. She joined Myaware in September 2017 as a support worker for the Midlands area She was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 2003 and she now hopes that helping members with their journeys will be both rewarding and beneficial. Tracey loves all things, music, theatre, and travel and combines all these whenever possible! Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 949 161
Sarah Bailey - Professional Support Services Co‑Manager Expand Sarah is a manager for our Professional Support Services team. Having originally joined myaware in 2013 as a volunteer when her partner was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, she then moved on to be an assistant Regional Organiser before taking up her current role in June 2021. She has a varied background including accounts, headhunting and Montessori teaching. Sarah enjoys lots of things, particularly anything relating to travel and food, and likes to relax with yoga, swimming, friends, and family - and Travis, the spirited miniature schnauzer! General Support Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 949 161
Grant Carpenter - IT and Digital Communications Manager Expand Grant joined myaware in January 2026 as IT and Digital Communications Manager. With degrees in Molecular Genetics and Science Communication and Public Engagement, he previously supported the charity as a freelancer, creating digital resources and designing the quarterly newsletter. In his current role, Grant leads myaware’s digital communications and IT systems, helping to develop the charity’s online presence, improve digital infrastructure, and support the organisation’s mission to reach and support more people affected by myasthenia. Grant loves to play video-games, build and paint Warhammer, and write campaigns for tabletop RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons. He lives in Glasgow with his wife, and their Patterdale terrier Mitzy. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290 219
Jamie Caple - Accounts & Compliance Manager Expand Jamie joined myaware in 2006 and has spent the past two decades building a steady career in finance and compliance. He enjoys the precision of working with numbers, especially the quiet satisfaction of a bank reconciliation landing perfectly on zero. He once received the team’s “Cool as a Cucumber” award, which he remains disproportionately proud of. Outside of work, Jamie likes to relax with podcasts. He is also a keen film enthusiast with a broad taste spanning independent cinema, foreign films, classics, and his long-time favourites like The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He enjoys exploring cosy pubs and good beer, whether locally or while travelling with his wife to comedy shows, music festivals, and the occasional visit to a National Trust site. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290219
Caroline Cameron - Welfare Rights Adviser Expand Caroline joined myaware in April 2026 bringing with her nearly two decades of experience in welfare benefits. She previously worked with the Citizens Advice Service across England and Scotland supporting people since 2007. Outside of work, Caroline enjoys exploring the countryside near her home in south-west Scotland, reading, and attending live music and theatre. She is also a dedicated trustee and volunteer with local organisations. Email: [email protected]
Charlie Adams - Professional Services/Welfare Rights Manager Expand Charlie joined myaware in July 2024 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having worked for the Citizens Advice Service since 2006. Charlie has experience in supporting people with various welfare related enquiries, including representing at benefit appeals, and most recently worked as a Specialist Benefits Caseworker and Advice Services Manager for the Bedworth, Rugby and Nuneaton Citizens Advice Service. In her spare time, she performs with a choir and folk band, dabbles in arts and crafts and enjoys binge-watching Netflix dramas with her Lurcher, Bobby. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01332 290 219