Wendy Thompson- Family Support Officer (North)
I originally qualified as a Nursery Nurse, working with families and young children with disabilities within local Health Authorities, working alongside multi-disciplinary teams (i.e. consultants, physios, specialist nurses etc.) Since…
Borris – Official Mascot
Hi Im Boris The Bear, I am the official mascot for the BDFA. I live in the BDFA office and make sure everything is running smoothly. I love going on…
Samantha Barber – Chief Executive
Samantha joined BDFA as Chief Executive in May 2018. Samantha has held a number of senior roles in the voluntary sector including Chief Executive of UCanDoIT, an IT and disability…
Lisa Forsyth- Office Staff
I joined the BDFA in October 2017 helping in the office, I now work 2 days a week here helping wherever needed with office duties and supporting the Chief Executive.…
Heather Band – BDFA Research Officer
I joined the BDFA in September 2012. At university, I studied Chemistry and then joined Cancer Research UK, where I also completed further studies in Biochemistry. I spent over 17…
Laura Lee – Clinical Nurse Specialist
I started the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist for Batten disease in October 2016. I am a qualified paediatric nurse with experience in general paediatrics, neurology, metabolics and research. I…
The BDFA is governed by a committed board of Trustees who bring a range of individual skills to help the BDFA achieve its aims.
Roger Cole – Trustee
Roger Cole worked in the British Telecom development department on remote computer management and control of equipment and retired in 2006. He has many years’ experience writing technical specifications and…
Catherine Sermon – Trustee
Catherine is a Campaign Director at a charity called Business in the Community, where she has worked for over 15 years. Over this time she has worked with a wide…
Pauline Docherty – Co-Chair
Pauline is one of the founder members of the BDFA and is married to Jim. Both her children were diagnosed with CLN3. Joanna passed away in 2008 (age 23) and…
Neil Dunford – Trustee
Neil Dunford recently joined as a Trustee member for the BDFA this summer. His daughter, Yanna, has the CLN2 variant of Batten Disease. Yanna has been enrolled on the BioMarin Clinical…
Amanda Mortensen – Chair
Amanda has 12 years’ experience in the voluntary sector, 20 years’ experience as a journalist and 10-years’ experience as a school governor. She has four children the eldest of whom…