About Us
The Emily Ash Trust was started in 2002 when Emily was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Initially set up to raise awareness of the need for bone marrow donors, the trust has now evolved and today our primary aim is to support families who have a child, teenager or young adult with cancer. We are aware of the enormous strain put on all members of the family at this time, physically, emotionally, logistically and financially and we are here to help provide much needed support and a little light relief for the entire family.
The Emily Ash Trust is a small charity with a huge heart!
All staff work on a voluntary basis with all money raised going to support families in need.
Take a closer look to see how either we can help you, or, you can help us….

How we can help you
At the Emily Ash Trust we are aware of the strain that a cancer diagnosis puts on the entire family. We are here to help.
It’s really important to us that your whole family is supported - parents and siblings are just as important to us as your poorly child.
We run several regular Family Events that cater for all ages. Once you have registered with us you will become part of the Emily Ash Trust ‘extended family’ and will be invited along to events that may be of interest to your family. These events are a great way of meeting other families who have similar experiences and lasting friendships are often made.
As well as the regular events we provide special day trips, short breaks and Holidays giving families some much needed ‘time out’.
Lastly, we receive Special Requests - often for gifts, to make hospital stays a little more bearable or for wishes. We consider all requests.

How you can help us
The support we give to families with a child, teenager or young adult with cancer is vital. To continue to provide this support we need your help. Please get involved!
So Why Choose Us? Caring for a child with cancer puts a huge strain on a family. At the Emily Ash Trust, we aim to support the entire family at this difficult time and often beyond. Unlike many larger charities, our support covers children from as young as a few months to young adults up to age 24. We have little ‘red tape’ and are able to move fast on requests - particularly important when time is of the essence.
We have a whole range of Sponsored Events that you can get involved with from the very energetic - like triathlon and marathons, skydives and mud runs. Or if you prefer something a little more refined we have our annual Celebratory Ball which is our most glittering fund-raiser of the year.
Of course, we are always open to ideas and are eager to hear about your Other Ways to Help.
meet our team
Tim
Chairman and Trustee
I have been with the Trust for nearly 7 years now. I joined the team because it has a unique philosophy being mainly local people that we help and entirely voluntary. I also love the fact that we can deploy funds raised very quickly and with little formal application or process. We can also show people who support us with funds, exactly who and what we have spent their money on. It makes it all so much more rewarding. For me, it’s all about making involvement with the Trust fun – everyone wins that way!
Claire
Treasurer, Trustee and Family Liaison
I first met Sue May (committee member) when our sons played football together. We got chatting about The Emily Ash Trust and all the fantastic work it did and continues to do and I really wanted to become involved. In 2006 I became a committee member, and I have had an amazing 11 years. I have met so many inspirational people along the way, I am truly honoured.
We fundraise all year round and we have so many people that fundraise for us. This enables the Trust to provide holidays for families, treats for patients, personal shopping experiences for patients and SO much more.
As an extra bonus – as if I needed one – I’m part of a friendly, supportive team which I am so proud of.
Paul
Patron, Trustee and Fund Raising Coordinator
Paul was introduced to the Trust through friendship of the Rolfe family and was also inspired by the loss of children within his own family and amongst his friends families.
Paul has spent 30 years in the electrical industry and is married with two children. Paul is also a Freeman of London, as well as a committee member at Warlingham Football Club.
Heidi
Trustee and Family Liaison
Having ridden the roller coaster ride that having a child with cancer sends you on, has given me a unique position within the committee.
Losing our beautiful daughter Mollie when she was just 11 years old has shown me first hand that your cancer journey doesn’t just stop when treatment stops or the worst happens – the journey goes on. In these circumstances the Emily Ash Trust continues to provide invaluable support.
The trust means so much to me – I am proud to be part of an amazing team who work so hard for the benefit of others.
When The Emily Ash trust take you and your family under their wing – you become part of an extended family – that really care.
Sue
Committee Member and Events Coordinator
I have been involved with The Emily Ash Trust since the beginning. Emily is a close family friend and when she was diagnosed at the age of 5 it was her inspiration that encouraged me to volunteer for this wonderful charity. I felt I had strengths from my professional life to bring to the table to help build a good platform for a charity to grow.
At first it was a learning curve, finding out about how a charity should run, understanding first-hand what would benefit the children and the families exposed to this terrible illness. Showing others how they too could make a difference sharing the load, bringing a sparkle into someone’s difficult day.
Every time I see a child smile or a mother’s tear, every time I see the gratitude in a family’s face I know I couldn’t ever step down… Families live on a knife edge never really relaxing, if we can take them away from this for one hour, one day, one week, give them support when they are at their lowest, put our arms around them and listen then it is where I will always be.
Scott
Committee Member, Marketing Executive
I grew up knowing Emily Ash and her family, which is how I first became affected by cancer. Witnessing such a gruelling treatment plan and seeing first hand the effects this has not only on a child but the family unit as a whole is terrifying. It was from this one change in our lives, with one little girl’s fight that the Emily Ash Trust was born.
Whilst Emily’s story is one of happiness and success, not every child we have met along the way has been so lucky. The work the trust does touches on the here and now, the social element of human interaction and the need for support, help and comfort to those who are going through the scariest times in their lives.
I think my part in the Trust is small in comparison to some of my fellow committee members, but my professional skills in graphic design and marketing have meant that all the Trust’s design and marketing needs have been met by myself.
I have also been involved in some of the largest fundraising challenges and in the past 5 years alone I have kayaked the Amazon river, cycled across Asia and climbed Mount Everest to raise money so that the Trust’s fantastic work can continue.
Ginny
Secretary and Fund Raising Coordinator
My first acquaintance with the Emily Ash Trust was through my brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Heidi, who sadly lost their beautiful daughter Mollie to leukaemia in 2006. The support they received from the Emily Ash Trust was so wonderful that Mark and Heidi decided to join the Trust. By 2010 my husband became the Chairman and I became a committee member. We have not looked back since.
As part of the Emily Ash Trust I have had the privilege of meeting, supporting and becoming friends with so many wonderful families facing cancer over the years whose strength and courage never ceases to amaze me. We are only a small organisation but we do make a difference. The rewards as a volunteer are boundless and I am very proud to say that I am a part of the Emily Ash Trust family.
Tom
Patron
Tom is a retired racing driver, turned professional broadcaster. Best known for his work on Eurosport and BT Sport, Tom has also appeared on Sky Sports and ITV Sport.
Most recently Tom’s voice is familiar to motorsport fans in Britain and throughout the world, as the Lead Commentator on Eurosport’s LIVE coverage of World Superbikes and Le Mans 24. Tom also commentates on IndyCar and the FIA WEC.
Tom enjoys his roll as Patron, predominately supporting teenagers with their journeys and integration back to education and employment post treatment.
Alex
Committee Member
I have been working with the Emily Ash Trust for several years now. I first became aware of the charity when I was 16 when I worked with Emily’s mum. I knew from first hearing about the EAT that they were a great charity and I wanted to help so I started by raising money by completing the London to Brighton bike ride, London triathlon and the London marathon.
After doing these events I wanted to help more and be more involved with the charity so I joined the committee and have never looked back. I have found in the years since, that sometimes by doing even the smallest of things you can make such a difference to someone’s day. Seeing a child or family going through their journey, smiling and enjoying what the Trust does makes me very proud to be part of the EAT family.
Tracey
Committee Member
I am new to the Emily Ash Team, as I only joined in 2016 and feel completely honoured being part of such a great charity.
Both my husband and I have been involved in several fund raising activities/events for the EAT, as this charity is very close to our hearts. The joy that the funds raised by the Trust bring, makes such a difference to these brave and inspirational children.
When I was asked to join the team, it wasn’t a difficult decision for me, as I was actually inspired by one of the family days I attended a couple of years ago and a certain young man, whose bravery and courage was very moving and stayed with me.
Sam
Events and Social Media Coordinator
I am 23 years old. I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 16. Throughout my cancer treatment and afterwards the Emily Ash Trust supported me and my family in so many different ways. I joined the Trust in part to give back to an amazing charity that helped me in my time of need, but also so I can try and help other young people who are diagnosed with cancer.
The EAT team are so kind and friendly and I was very lucky to join the committee officially in 2016.
Mark
Committee Member
I have had the privilege of working on behalf of the Emily Ash Trust since 2007. Together with our amazing fund raisers I have swam, run, ridden and jumped to support people in the toughest of situations.
I lost my daughter, Mollie, in 2006 to leukaemia, following her relapse. This has given me first hand experience of the emotional and financial difficulty faced by families.
I have spent 30 years working in the media industry, love football and spend any spare time with my amazing family.