The Team

Our Trustees

Sarah White BEM

Sarah White BEM

Co-Founder & CEO

Sarah is mum to 2 daughters, and her passion is to make a difference to the lives of children living with cancer. She works full-time for the charity, overseeing the logistics of the day-to-day running of the office and juggling a million and one tasks. Sarah also leads longer-term planning and strategic policies for the vision and mission of the charity: to raise awareness of childhood cancer and improve the well-being of children and their families going through the cancer journey, through art and the creation of hand-painted Supershoes.

“Through Supershoes I meet the most incredible children and their families. Once just ordinary families who, through no fault of their own have had their entire world turned upside down with the devastating news that their child has Cancer. I have seen the amazing impact a pair of hand painted shoes can have - Providing children and young people with a positive, empowering boost to their wellbeing. It is an honour and a privilege to take little steps with these families on their journey. They show so much strength and courage and are all real life superheroes!”

Ken White BEM

Ken White BEM

Co-Founder

Ken is managing director of a large and successful landscape construction company. Whilst currently taking time out as a Trustee for Supershoes, Ken continues to wholeheartedly support and develop the charity to extend its reach to as many children and young people as possible.

“I have been so moved by the kindness and generosity of people who have supported and continue to support our mission and the amazing children and families we help. From our talented Super- Artists to other charities, businesses and people, we simply would not have done this without them.”

Gill Long

Gill Long

Trustee

Gill is a mum of two and currently works for a local parish council. About two years ago, she happened across the Supershoes auction through a shared post from a friend and after successfully winning an item, visited Sarah in the Supershoes Office. After speaking to Sarah about the work this previously unknown charity did, Gill was compelled to volunteer a day a week in the office. In March 2018, her journey started and even when she changed jobs, she managed to agree a working pattern that allows her to volunteer each week.

“I have never been able to volunteer before having always worked full time and having two children, who are now grown up. In 2017 I found myself in a position where I could help out Supershoes so joined the team in March 2018. Well, the passion and simplicity of the charity had a much bigger impact on me than I could have imagined! Being at RHS Chelsea, doing Tombolas and Cap creation fundraising sessions is so rewarding. Becoming a Trustee is an honour and continuing to support the charity as it grows is exciting.”

Jeanette Hawkins

Jeanette Hawkins

Trustee

Jeanette joins us a Trustee with an impressive background. Jeanette trained in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corp and later joined the NHS, working as a nurse in children's oncology at Birmingham Children's Hospital for 25 years, 12 of which were as Lead Cancer Nurse which included national NHS projects, as well as contributing to many projects at RCN, NICE, to mention a few. During all of this, Jeanette completed an MSC in Advanced Nursing Practice! Today Jeanette works as Chief Nurse with CCLG (Children's Cancer & Leukaemia Group) which is funded by YLvsC.

“I first heard about Supershoes not long after its inception and immediately recognised what a great idea it was, especially as I love creativity and art. After 35 years in children’s cancer services, I know how important it is to keep children and young people active during and after treatment to help combat the many consequences of treatment they face. A pair of shoes that have personal and special meaning is a fabulous way to encourage that. I am so pleased to now be part of this.”

Sabiene North

Sabiene North

Trustee

Sabiene comes to Supershoes with a wealth of knowledge and skills, particularly in the fundraising area, supported by her background in wealth management. As CEO of a charity herself (Be Free Young Carers), Sabiene knows first-hand exactly how best to support our own CEO, Sarah. Sabiene studied History and Politics at Southampton University. In addition, she is a keen runner, and is a Run Leader at her local running club. A mum to 2 girls, Sabiene's extended family includes dogs, cats and a rabbit. In her spare time, apart from running, she enjoys reading and podcasts.

“I'd been looking for a Trustee position for a while, and then I met Sarah at the ACEVO conference, we got chatting and she told me about Supershoes and showed me some photos; I just knew there and then that this was the right charity for me. I feel that I can make a difference with my CEO and fundraising background.”

Our Volunteers

Maureen

Maureen

Dispatch Manager

Super volunteer Maureen, a retired confectioner and also mum to Sarah, Supershoes Founder! Maureen kindly gives one day a week to manage shoe dispatch logistics. Packaging, posting and dispatching shoes to super-children, Maureen is a very busy lady!

“I love giving my time to Supershoes, it really is a very special organisation and I find my job very rewarding. Packaging and posting the beautiful Supershoes off to children,  I can’t help think of the smiles of the children opening them, having seen what joy a pair of Supershoes can bring to a poorly child.”

Anne

Anne

Speaker

Anne works for Supershoes, travelling round her region of the South West, speaking to groups to raise awareness of childhood cancer and the work that Supershoes does, in addition to fundraising for us.

“I am a retired Headteacher, still loads of things I want to do and lots of energy for life! I love working for Supershoes because I have lost a child to cancer and I am now free to help other families. Imagine a child being in hospital desperately ill and receiving a pair of shoes individually designed and painted just for you! As a parent of that child you want to give them everything on earth, so a gift of a pair of Supershoes is a good start!”

Marianna

Marianna

Parent Liaison

A retired life coach, teacher and blogger who was delighted to be able to offer to do even more of what she loves doing after meeting Sarah at a networking event and following Supershoes ever since. Marianna's main job is contacting parents to advise them of the exciting arrival of their child's Supershoes, and also in the preliminary stages, discussing design briefs with parents and young people, to ensure that their Supershoes will have all their favourite themes. She also helps wherever she’s needed, writing blogs, press releases, proofreading and anything else of a wordy nature.

“I love the uniqueness of Supershoes. It sends a massive burst of sunshine and optimism to all the families it reaches in a very personal, special way. Being able to write about all the good that comes from it is simply a privilege!”

Amanda

Amanda

Super Artist Specialist

A tattoo artist for 20 years and a mum of four lovely girls. She dabbles in various crafts; baking novelty cakes, sewing & face painting to name a few. As one of our most experienced Super Artists, she now offers support and shares techniques with other Super Artists to help them produce the best Supershoes they possibly can for the children. Amanda's specialism is sensory shoes, created for children who have limited, or no sight, or those with heightened sensory requirements.

“I love that I can put my creative skills to such good use for such a worthy cause. Creating smiles for these brave children at such a difficult time in their lives is a huge honour!”

Margaret

Margaret

Dispatch Support

Margaret has lived in North Devon for 30 years. Since retiring from her own business, 20 years ago, she has been a valuable volunteer to a variety of local charities, and we're delighted that she chose Supershoes as one of them. She unpacks completed Supershoes and prepares them for dispatch to children. In her spare time, Margaret enjoys craft, needlework and walking her dog. Margaret has 3 children, 3 grandchildren and 3 greatgrandchildren.

“I thoroughly enjoy my time volunteering at Supershoes. I love opening the completed works of art and amazed at how much love and care has gone into creating each and every pair. The artists are so incredibly talented.”

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Glyn

Speaker

Glyn is an experienced facepainter and has been a Super Artist for Supershoes since 2014. In addition to painting Supershoes, Glyn now also offers talks to clubs, societies, Probus, WI and any other interested group to raise awareness and generate funds for Supershoes in the Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire region.

“I hope one day there will be no need for charities such as Supershoes, and that cancers will all be eradicated…. But for now we try to spread Hope and something to bring some joy into the children’s lives.”

If you would like to get involved and become a super volunteer, please contact us