Alfie’s Squad is delighted to have appointed a Board of Trustees to help strengthen the charity to continue providing much needed suicide support for children.
Each Trustee brings their own expertise and wealth of knowledge to help enhance the profile and work being delivered from Alfie’s Squad to provide suicide support for children and young people bereaved by suicide.
Our Trustees support our aim to reach even more families across Merseyside, the North West and beyond.
Chair of Trustees
Hilda Yarker
Hilda is the visionary leader of the John Haynes Foundation, a charity dedicated to delivering transformative coaching and mentoring programmes that empower individuals to become the best version of themselves. With a deep passion for inspiring others and fostering meaningful change, she is committed to creating opportunities that unlock potential and drive personal growth. Hilda has extensive expertise across all sectors, corporate, public sector and the charitable sector. Hilda is passionate about equality of opportunity for all and is a staunch supporter of social value and building social capital in communities.
On being appointed Head Trustee for Alfie’s Squad, Hilda is already bringing her wealth of experience to the role and says,
“I believe I have an extensive skills mix which will support Alfie’s Squad to grow as a national charity. Passionate about mental health and mental health support, I am an advocate of the benefits of lived experience and how shared lived experience has immense value in supporting others. I have been a supporter of Alfie’s Squad from when I first heard about its vision and desire to support young people and their families affected by suicide.”
Danny Scally
Having worked in the education sector for 12 years, including the last 5 years working closely with Alfie and other pupils who access support from Alfie’s Squad, Danny can see first-hand the impact a suicide has on a young person, their family, and a school community as a whole. Understanding the ways in which schools operate, Danny hopes to be able to help Alfie’s Squad access pupils in schools across the UK that would benefit from the charity, as well as helping the charity gain recognition and footholds within schools and local authorities to help boost awareness of the issue, charity visibility, and to help with fund raising.
Danny explains,
“I became Alfie’s form tutor when he started secondary school and listened to his story, blown away at his maturity and his desire to help others in similar situations. When I became the head of Key stage 4, I was able to help with whole school fundraising activities and became more involved with Alfie and Allison and their mission. When I suffered from cancer and had life changing surgery 10 years ago, I had a spell of a couple of years where I suffered with my mental health and suicide was something I considered on many occasions. Seeing the enormous, positive impact first-hand of what Alfie’s Squad does for both the children and adults accessing its service it was impossible for me to not get more involved; understanding that this would have been invaluable to my children and wife if my situation had not improved.”
Jack Bookey
A Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell LLP, Jack has lived in Liverpool his whole life. Outside of work, he loves playing football, golf and running, often finding himself signed up for marathons and ultra-marathons! Jack hopes to bring his legal background to Alfie’s Squad and help wherever possible. Growing up in Liverpool, Jack has a good knowledge of the city and connections which can help grow Alfie’s further.
Joining the charity Jack comments,
“Ever since I first heard about Alfie’s Squad, I became passionate in doing my bit to support and becoming a Trustee gives me that opportunity. It’s a unique charity and is closely linked to the work I do on a daily basis. Both Allison and Alfie have handled their loss so impressively, and their desire to want to help others is inspiring, so I want to be a part of this and do whatever I can to help.”
Jessica Gallier-Booth
Jess is a multi award winning Chief Executive and Founder working within the charity sector. Following the suicide of her own father in 2017, Jess found herslef fiercely dedicated to preventing suicide, breaking down stigma and supporting families.
Jess brings to the Board, knowledge and expertise of growing a new charity, scaling successful concepts safely and navigating the world of funding.
Being bereaved by suicide at a young age herself and having a child who attends Alfie’s Squad for support with this loss, Jess wanted to join the Board to make a difference to other children and young people bereaved by suicide.
Michelle O’Dwyer
Founder of Bay Tree Cookery Academy CIC, Michelle empowers Liverpool’s communities through culinary education.
Michelle has built an excellent reputation in the City for teach essential cooking, budgeting, and nutrition skills to vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities and low incomes. Beyond the kitchen, Michelle embodies community spirit by organising events such as an annual Community Christmas Dinner, bringing together diverse groups to combat loneliness and social isolation.
Michelle wanted to take on the role as a Trustee for Alfie’s Squad as the charity is close to her heart.
“I absolutely love what this charity stands for and have seen first-hand how vital the service is to so many and how much it’s needed. I hope to support the work being delivered to help have more Alfie’s Squad hubs available across the country.”
