Meet the board

Often, children describe the most challenging experiences as the ones they have enjoyed most. In a recent visit to Grange Primary School, Neil heard how much pupils had enjoyed visiting Castle Head Outdoor Centre, climbing and then standing on top of a very high and deliberately wobbly wooden pole – a huge challenge requiring considerable courage.

Our trustees also regularly meet with representatives of the service charities we support, and again, it is inspiring to hear the difference our money makes. The RAF Benevolent Fund support a wide community of former RAF service-people and their dependents, a typical project being funding the conversion of a property for use by an injured amputee Iraq veteran. Or providing residential care for older veterans and widows.

Neil Jurd - Founder

Neil Jurd is a global expert in leadership development. He is the Founder of Leader Connect, and author of The Leadership Book – the bestselling handbook to leadership and team development. Neil founded the Michelle Jurd Trust, to help promote character education and adventure for young people, and as a volunteer he is Director of adult leadership development for the Army Cadets UK.

A former Army Officer, Neil has led soldiers on operations and expeditions around the world. He was injured by enemy fire in Iraq, and served as an instructor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Neil has an MA from Cranfield University, is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management and is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Lancaster University. He was awarded the British Citizen Award in 2020 and was appointed OBE in 2021.

Sandra Howarth - Treasurer

Sandra’s role is the treasurer for the charity, however she also undertakes some administration especially around the Charity’s annual ball. Sandra’s background is quite varied but she currently has a bookkeeping business, allowing her the freedom to look after her family and walk her dogs. Sandra supports the charity so that she can help to make a young person from Cumbria or a military person’s life a little bit better.

Louise Hargreaves

Louise was brought up in the Lake District and has spent most of her working life in the tourism industry within various sectors from Cumbria Tourist Board, guest houses and restaurants. However, in more recent years, Louise spent 4 years working in a residential school for children with special educational needs, before training to become a dog groomer, a role she has enjoyed for the last 4 years.

Whilst taking time out to train as a dog groomer, Louise volunteered to help with the Michelle Jurd Trust and has been a Trustee for about 5 years. She has 3 boys who keep her busy, particularly with football, and also volunteers as a Welfare Officer for a local junior football club.