I’ve been a part of India Direct since 2011, when I first visited Chennai and our children’s homes as part of the Poynton High School India Project.

Since then I’ve had a role in updating India Direct’s website, brand image and much of our sponsorship and marketing material. I have been proud to be a trustee since 2015, and have enjoyed working with the board to ensure our charity continues to spend every penny we raise directly on our causes in India.

I am delighted to have been asked by the Trustee Board to be the chairman of India Direct and honoured to be taking over from Jenny, who has provided the charity with much support, faith and dedication for over 15 years. As Jenny takes a step back from her trustee role, I’m pleased that she will be working with our much valued friends and supporters in the church community in Macclesfield to maintain a link to many of India Direct’s first and longstanding supporters.

Whilst I am honoured to take on this role, I also understand the great responsibility that comes with it; India Direct continues to have a significant shortfall in our funding, requiring us to increase our fundraising and supporter numbers considerably. Our operations in India face challenges with authorities and increasing costs on the ground. As a trustee board, we continue to work hard and have faith that our supporters, our positivity and our dedication will see the charity through to a successful future.

I am looking forward to visiting the homes and seeing the fantastic work happening out in India when I visit Chennai next month.