Meet the Trustees
Louise Clarkson - Interim Chair
I’m Louise Clarkson and I’ve been a trustee at Elliot’s Footprint for 5 years and currently hold the post as interim chair. I have a background of NHS work for over 36 years. For the past 18 I have held a post in the Sudden Unexpected Death in Children’s team (SUDIC) for Bradford and Airedale based within the acute NHS trust. This gives me first-hand experience of looking after families and carers experiencing the sudden loss of a child. My role gave me the desire to help families at their time of need and drew me to Elliot’s Footprint with the aim to making the journey they face as informed and family focused as possible. I’m proud of the work that has been achieved through the work of the charity and look forward to what the future holds.
Fiona Beech - Treasurer
I'm the Treasurer for Elliot’s Footprint and come from a finance background. My role is to report back to the other Trustees making sure we have the funds available to continue with the good work of Elliot's Footprint. I'm proud to say that every penny we earn is used for the charity. All the Trustees are volunteers and contribute their time and efforts for free.
I had the privilege of knowing Elliot during his short life and I have witnessed as a friend the devasting loss of Elliot on the family. That's why Elliot’s Footprint provides such an essential service to bereaved families, so they no longer have to suffer alone.
Claire Smith - Governance
I am the Secretary for Elliot’s Footprint and bring a strong Higher Education background focused on supporting others. In my role as Secretary, I ensure effective governance and provide direct support to the trustee board. I’ve been involved in fundraising for various charities over the years and am passionate about giving back. I was inspired to join Elliot’s Footprint after hearing John and Andrea Kerslake’s courage in turning unimaginable loss into meaningful support for families through child bereavement. I’m proud to continue Elliot’s legacy and work alongside dedicated trustees who volunteer their time to help our community through some of its hardest moments.
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Andrea Kerslake - Founder
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John Kerslake - Founder
I am proud to be Elliot’s Dad and Founder Trustee of Elliot’s Footprint. I look to use my lived experience as a bereaved father to help the bereaved community in the most useful and meaningful ways I can. In the past I have had a stint as Chair of the charity and love working closely with our amazing trustees and all other colleagues working with us. My background is in delivering frontline employment services in careers guidance and working on locally funded projects supporting people with learning disabilities and/or Autism into the workplace.
Rev Sharon Kaye
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Lucy Maher
Hi, I’m Lucy Maher and I have been a Trustee at Elliot’s Footprint since 2022. I have 12 years of experience working in the charity sector, including seven years supporting refugees and five years within debt advice.
Through these roles, I have worked closely with individuals who have experienced trauma and unexpected life events. This experience has helped me see the importance of charities like this helping families access the support and information when they need it most.
I was drawn to Elliot’s Footprint after making two direct referrals and I found their compassionate approach to supporting bereaved families both inspiring and essential. Since then, I am incredibly proud of the work the charity has achieved and look forward to seeing what the coming years will bring.
Greg Miller
Greg is Deputy Director of Student Success and Educational Engagement at the University of Leeds. His primary areas of responsibility are student careers and the opportunities that make up the wider student experience such as volunteering, work experiences, studying abroad and starting a business. Greg joined the charity to support engagement and embedding longer-term, mutually beneficial, relationships with business to support the vital work of Elliot's Footprint.
Rebecca O'Hare
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Rachel Stanton
I am a Nurse, Midwife and Health Visitor with over 38 years of experience working in the NHS.
I have most recently retired from working as a Deputy Director of Nursing and Quality for one of the largest Integrated Care Boards in England, where I was part of a system seeking to commission the best quality services for the communities being served.
Elliot’s Footprint is very close to my heart, as I was leading the Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy and Childhood (SUDIC) process for Leeds when Elliot very sadly died. Andrea and John have worked tirelessly in striving to improve the support offered to families suffering this immeasurable loss.
I am honoured to be a very very small part of this journey.
Deborah Wilson
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