Our dedicated UK team consists of the Board and our Administration and Marketing Assistant. We are always interested to hear from enthusiastic volunteers, so if you feel like you could help us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
The Board
The FPWR UK Board is made up of individuals committed to our mission aims. Click on the names below for information about each of our Board members.
Catherine Shaw
Catherine Shaw is a mum of 3 children, Eleanor, born in 2009 with PWS and her two younger siblings, Freddie, and Annie. Catherine is also the Founder of FPWR UK. She is a stay at home mum who home schools her two younger children. Catherine’s background is in special educational needs, working in the tribunal sector for benefits and as a team leader in the civil service, all of which helped prepare her for the role of Chair of FPWR UK
Angela Saunders
Angie is a mum to Emilie and Zoe (who has PWS) and joined the Board in 2023. Angie has a background in Law and Education and now is a stay at home mum/carer. She joined FPWR UK as she has a strong passion for research and sees this as the key to a better future for everyone with PWS, both in terms of treatments, therapies and understanding. Angie is keen to support with fundraising and raising awareness of PWS through events, communications and social media.
David Jack
David joined the board in 2021 and lives in the Scottish Highlands. He is father to two children; Robyn, born in 2018 who has PWS and her younger sister Morven. David’s professional background is in Human Resources where he has worked across a number of sectors at a senior level. He currently lectures with the Highland and Islands University and runs his own Human Resources and Training Consultancy.
Evelyn Close
Evelyn has been one of our valued volunteers since 2023 and has now agreed to become a Trustee and Board Member for FPWR UK. She helps in all areas of the charity, especially in up and coming research, here is a note from her: “I live in Ayrshire with my husband Michael and our daughter Harriet, who has PWS. We are surrounded by friends and family who all support us and Harriet wholeheartedly. We are love to get outdoors and our favourite sport is wakeboarding which Harriet has been enjoying coming to since she was 8 weeks old.”
The Team
Caz Merritt
Caz runs our stores and her role is to help manage our stock which includes essential jobs such as distributing fund raising packs. As well as working with FPWR UK, Caz runs her own Doula business where she provides bespoke support to women during pregnancy and childbirth. Caz is new to the PWS community but her brother has Down’s Syndrome which has given her a good understanding of disabilities.
Shannon Cohead
Shannon is our administrator who’s role is to keep the social media and website up to date with news of the charity and forthcoming research as well as other admin jobs that are required to help the charity run efficiently. Shannon has a son, Tommy who has PWS so has developed a passion for helping him and others impacted by the condition.
Our Volunteers
Danica Matheson
Danica joined the team in 2023, she is our Treasurer whose role is to maintain the accounts and manage invoices. She has a niece with PWS which has taught her a lot about the condition and is her drive to support the foundation and raise awareness in any way she can. Danica is based in the south east of England and enjoys socialising, dancing and anything creative.
Clare Black
Clare is mum to five year old Aurelia, who has PWS. Clare has recently joined the FPWR UK team this year to volunteer as a Fundraising Coordinator. Clare is passionate about raising funds for studies and research into treatments and therapies for all those with PWS. Raising awareness about PWS, and the many difficulties people with PWS face, is imperative to change. With a background in Performing Arts and Education, Clare also runs her own children’s entertainment company.
Helen Rammage
Helen joined FPWR as a volunteer in 2023, inspired by the organization’s commitment to supporting clinical research. She lives in Nottingham with her two sons: Ethan, a teenager, and 7-year-old Thomas, who has PWS. With a background in marketing within the clinical trial industry, Helen hopes to use her knowledge to contribute to FPWR’s critical role in overcoming Prader-Willi Syndrome
