Latest news
24th May 2013
Waitrose donates to the Limbless Association
As part of its Community Matters project, Waitrose Stores in West London have raised over £2000 for the Limbless Association
Meet The Limbless Association team
Chair/vice chair: Governance and Lead
John Reid (Chair)
Email: board@limbless-association.org
Email: john@limbless-association.org
Christine Mitchell (vice chair)
Email: board@limbless-association.org
Email: christine@limbless-association.org
Trustees:
John Reid – Chair
Born in 1946 in Glasgow. An above knee amputee at the age of 3 following an accident. Married with 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Chair of the Harold Wood User Group. Worked at the Artificial Limb Centre for 6 years and spent 29 years in the Civil Service. I am now a Clinical Hypnotherapist. I was a TUC Rep in the Civil Service, a Member of the Children’s Panel (Juvenile Justice System Scotland) and Chair of my local Residents Association I have a wide range of experience including TUC representation, Management, H&S, Psychology and Hypnotherapy.
I am active in the Joint Committee of Motobility for Disabled People. I have met with the DWP to give an amputees viewpoint on DLA; highlighting problems experienced by amputees. I attend APLLG meetings and am involved with the Blue Badge scheme with the DoT. I am actively involved in the PIP Implementation Development Group I continue to advance the amputee cause with the DWP; highlighting specific problems which need to be addressed and help dispel the mistaken belief that an amputation followed by a prosthetic limb recreates normality.
My email is john@limbless-association.org
Christine Mitchell – Vice Chair
I became a single below knee amputee in 1982 having elected to have my amputation because of the problems I had through my major disability which is Spina Bifida. I live in Bolsover in Derbyshire with my husband, I have one son and two grandsons and a dog called Ruby. I have worked in the voluntary sector for the past 26 years; I am a Director (Vice Chairperson) of Disability Nottinghamshire, Director of Chesterfield & District Shopmobility and Chairperson of Midland Association for Amputees and Friends.
My email is christine@limbless-association.org
Pat Fitzpatrick – Board Secretary
I have been a lower limb above knee artificial leg user for over 50 years following a road traffic accident when I was a child. I have used a variety of limbs over the years, starting with a metal framed leg with a rocker shaped wooden foot, up to the current lightweight limb. I have been a member of the Harold Wood User Group for a number of years.
I have 3 children and 4 grandchildren and retired from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) two years ago. Prior to my retirement, I worked in the Information Technology department and for the last two years of my employment, managed a team on in-house staff and contractors numbering 100. Whilst working for HMRC, I was instrumental in restarting the HMRC Southend Disability Group and chaired many of the group’s meetings.
My email is board@limbless-association.org
Roy Haycock – Treasurer
Born in 1934. Whilst at primary school I was involved in a serious traffic accident which resulted in the amputation of my right arm above the elbow. Having completed the first part of my education in 1944, I passed the entrance examination for Grammar School but was refused admittance because of my disability. In 1945, I tried and passed the examination for a second time and commenced my Grammar School education. I left school in 1950 and commenced work as a Junior Clerk with the North West Gas Board, staying there for 10 years.
During this time I endeavoured to overcome prejudices by playing different sports and excelled at them all. By doing so, I changed the attitudes and prejudices of my fellow sportsmen and women and the local population. In 1961, I married and also changed my employment becoming Project Accountant with Crown Paints until I retired in 1998. With the help of my darling wife, we have brought up a family of four who I am very proud of. I also carried on my other pastimes regarding the disabled – Manchester Prosthetic User Group and Limbless Association, and Pensioners – North West Pensioners Association and National Pensioners Convention.
My email is boardtreasurer@limbless-association.org
Stuart Holt
I was born in 1934 in Woking, Surrey where I went to school until the age of 15 years, leaving to do an apprenticeship as a plumber. In 1966, I moved to Brighton, working as a representative for a firm of boiler manufacturers until 1972 when I started my own plumbing business. I have been married to Sue for 23 years and have 3 stepchildren and 7 grandchildren. I was forced to retire in 1997 due to contracting Meningitis B and septicaemia, resulting in the loss of both legs below the knee.
I formed the Sussex Support Group for the Meningitis Trust which ran for several years until local support declined. At my local Rehabilitation Centre in Brighton, I was instrumental in starting Coasting Together which is growing from strength to strength. I also do volunteer work at the Centre for 2 mornings a week running the coffee bar which enables me to talk to patients informally and to their partners who spend many hours in the waiting area. I am also a registered Buddy for the South Downs Health NHS Trust (Sussex Community NHS Trust) talking to new amputees.
My email is stuart@limbless-association.org
Gareth Jones
I was born in 1938 and attended Lewis Boys Grammar School, Pengam before undertaking a mechanical apprenticeship with the National Coal Board. I then spent 7 years with a large engineering company in Cardiff before leaving to spend 3 ½ years as a maintenance engineer with a Caerphilly engineering company. I formed a heating and ventilation company and in 1972 and was in business for 8 ½ years. I then joined the Sports Council as a mechanical engineer until ill health forced me to retire.
I was 23 when a malignant tumour developed on my left leg, well below the knee. I was operated on and my leg was saved. But when I was 63, the tumour reoccurred in the same area. This time they could not save the leg and in 2003 I was operated on and the leg was amputated, above the knee.
I have been happily married to Lyneth for 47 years and have two children; Martyn and Ruth of whom we are both justly proud. In the last few years I have joined the User Group at Rookwood Hospital, Cardiff where I was elected Chairman almost 3 years ago and have enjoyed the experience immensely.
My email is gareth@limbless-association.org
Thomas McSorley
An amputee since 1948, injured by land mine while in the Army in Italy. I have been a member of the Limbless Association since its inception. Served on the Executive Committee from 1986 to 1991 and attended committee meetings every three months.
My email is board@limbless-association.org
Denis Small
I am an above knee amputee and have had an artificial leg for approximately 40 years. I started my working life with a refrigeration company becoming a representative and then sales manager in their commercial department. I left to start my own company which I built up over many years and sold to an international company, staying with them for a couple of years before retiring. I then worked as an agent for several companies and continue to do so on a part-time basis.
I have been involved in various charities for many years, particularly working with handicapped groups. I joined The Amputee Association for Northern Ireland shortly after it was formed; a user group formed to give support to amputees and carers and became its secretary. After it closed, due to dwindling numbers, I became involved with the Prosthetic Forum and am currently its secretary. This is a user group that helps amputees with problems which they experience. We also help where possible with various projects at the local limb centre, and have been quite successful in getting results on several fronts.
My hobbies include wood turning, indoor bowls and gardening.
My email is denis@limbless-association.org
Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Outreach Officer
Richard Morrison
Email: richard@limbless-association.org
Telephone: 01245 216 671
Legal Panel & Membership
Linsey Hyde
Email: linsey@limbless-association.org
Telephone: 01245 216 674
Email: legal@limbless-association.org
Telephone: 0800 644 0186
