As well as being a mum, daughter and sister to three precious family members who lost their lives in Tunisia, Suzy is also a dedicated campaigner for safety in the travel industry. She has worked as a travel and tourism lecturer for more than 20 years and before that, was a travel agency manager.
She decided to set up SmileForJoel so that Joel, Ade and Pat could be remembered in a way that made real change for families affected by murder and terrorism.
Suzy is increasingly active in pushing for greater security, safety and accountability in the hotel industry. She is spearheading a ‘Safety before a sale’ campaign and continues to work with key decision makers in the UK and beyond. These include police forces and tourism organisations.
Owen was just 16 when he lost his brother Joel, granddad Pat and Uncle Ade in the Tunisia terror attack. He’s currently studying sports science at the University of Worcester.
Owen is proud to help lead SmileForJoel and to see the difference it makes for those facing the toughest and darkest of times.
He says: “My life has totally changed because of what happened. I know too well how hard these situations can be and to be able help really makes me feel like something positive that Joel, Ade and Grandad would all be proud of too.
Karen is MD at renowned accountancy firm Blackthorns. She has extensive experience in important areas of the profession for corporate and individual clients throughout the Black Country and Midlands.
Karen has been a massive help to SmileForJoel, right from guiding us through the charity registration process.
She says: “I was delighted to be asked to be a trustee and as a qualified accountant I am able to bring both financial and commercial skills to the Board of Trustees.
I wasn’t lucky enough to meet Joel, Ade or Pat.
“I am proud to work with Suzy, Owen and the other trustees to ensure that SmileForJoel goes from strength to strength in their memory to help others when they need it most.”
As the founder and director of Route 39, Steve is a respected West Midlands company director with a bursting contacts book of sporting stars, past and present.
Steve brings decades of business acumen and events expertise to the charity and is an important source of wisdom to take the charity forward.
He says: “It’s an absolute privilege to be a trustee of SmileForJoel and to see the work it’s doing in conjunction with Victim Support is incredible. Thank you to everyone who supports our SmileForJoel events, we are very grateful for the significant amounts raised for all of those who benefit in such heartbreaking circumstances.
Vicki is the Director of Fundraising of Acorns Childrens Hospice, leading a team to deliver in excess of £8million of voluntary income to support children and their families with life limiting and life-threatening conditions.
Vicki has more than 20 years not for profit experience, working within complex regulatory and compliance frameworks. Vicki has worked operationally across many income generation streams; corporate fundraising, public fundraising, and philanthropy. Smile for Joel is looking forward to harnessing these skills and expertise to propel the charity forward.
Vicki says “Working within the charity sector for many years, has helped me to see what a huge impact charity can and are having on people’s lives. Smile for Joel supports families through some of the most difficult times and beyond, this is an organisation that I look forward to being part of and what whatever small difference I can make personally.”
Jaz is MD and founder of Wergs Consultancy Ltd, helping business of all sizes with their funding needs. Specialising in manufacturing and property.
With over 30 years of Director level Banking and Corporate Finance experience at NatWest, HSBC and Barclays this provides a fantastic range of skills to help push the charity forwards.
He says “Having supported various events over the last few years it was an honour to be asked to become a trustee of what I consider to be such an important charity. Often their work helps those in heart breaking situations that we are never aware off. I feel super proud to be working alongside my fellow trustees to move the charity forward.”
Marc said: “I am honoured to be an ambassador for SmileForJoel. The charity is so important to my family as my wife, Chloe lost her mom Sue Davey and Sue’s partner in the attack in 2015. We will continue to provide support in anyway we can, we personally know that families need the vital support #smileforjoel provides after such an horrific tragedy.”
Marc said: “I met Suzy & Owen when presenting #Runforjoel and was very honoured to join Marc as an ambassador. This amazing charity was formed after such an horrific event and the vital support they give to families is so needed and so heartwarming. I’m so proud to be part of it.”
If you wish to know more about SmileForJoel, or have any questions, please use the contact form.
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Please send them to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages along with the hashtag #smileforjoel. Click here for our wristband story.
