CHILDREN’S charity Tree of Hope has appointed Lee Vallins as its new Deputy Chief Executive.
He will be leading the family support function of the Tonbridge-based charity, which helps children with a disability or illness by supporting their relatives to raise the money they need to pay for specialist care that is not freely available on the NHS.
His responsibilities include building supportive and understanding relationships with the families and forging strong working partnerships with suppliers and providers of therapies, medical treatments and specialist equipment to ensure the best deals are available for clients.
Lee started his career working in mental health as an occupational therapy assistant, initially working with older people.
Then he moved into the area of child and adolescent mental health and was appointed a Youth Manager with the British Red Cross.
Lee said: ‘The Red Cross shaped me as a person, as a manager, and influences my decisions even today, largely through the fantastic line manager and mentor that supported me as I developed in my role over time, as well as the values and principles which the organisation work to.
‘These values are relevant to how Tree of Hope work in supporting families and young people.’
Chief Executive Gill Gibb said: ‘Lee has a tremendous amount of experience working with families, which has already been put to good use.
‘This is a very important year and milestone for the charity as we celebrate our 25th anniversary, and I look forward to having the support of Lee this year and in the years to come.’
Lee is an adrenaline junkie and wanted to do something immediately to fundraise for Tree of Hope, so he will be wing-walking on an aeroplane.
See www.justgiving.com/fundraising/flyingman and www.treeofhope.org.uk
PICTURE: FLYING START: Lee Vallins will do a wing-walk for the charity
