Team We're a small but passionate team, working together to support young adults living through and beyond cancer. Expand Sophie Epstone Founder & CEO You’ll find me... hiking the coast, mountains, and anywhere else my trek boots will take me… adventuring out of the city with Trekstock’s Wellbeing Officer Serge and sourcing the best local hot chocolate (extra hot). Emma Cullingford Head of Fundraising You’ll find me... struggling to get up in the morning, singing at every opportunity, dreaming of trekking in the Scottish highlands, always out in restaurants and finding the dark humour in everything life throws my way. Ashia Redhead Senior Fundraiser You’ll find me... catching up on a Netflix series, planning my next holiday, eating at a pop up restaurants and hanging out with my one year old at soft play. Katie Joyce Fundraising Officer You'll find me... training for an endurance event, designing my next fancy dress costume and on the daily, eating peanut butter out of the tub. Jemima Reynolds Health Programmes and Engagement Lead You’ll find me... starting the day leading HIIT, cooking and eating delicious food, hanging out in a gallery and talking the hind legs off a donkey with friends. Bryony Antcliff Health Support and Programmes Officer You'll find me... baking up a storm, working on my attitude at the barre and perfectly quoting movies. Tabitha Becker-Kahn Communications Officer You’ll find me... chain-drinking Earl Grey tea, reading detective novels, crying at Flirty Dancing and chasing my three year old around museums. Serge Wellbeing Officer You'll find me... eating all snacks except Coriander, stealing any unoccupied chair, taking Sophie for a walk, and generally being a source of joy.
Experts We're grateful to our volunteer experts who bring together to help us guide the work we do. They ensure we develop programmes and support information that is of the highest standard in response to the needs of our beneficiaries. Expand Dr Louise Soanes Dr Gemma Pugh
Ambassadors "I love the work that Trekstock does and feel it’s so incredibly important. No one should ever feel alone during a difficult time in their life, and the support that they offer young people with cancer feels invaluable." Ella Mills, Delicously Ella Expand Harry Styles Mark Ronson Liam Payne Ella Woodward Henry Holland Andy Burrows "It was really inspiring and moving to see so many young adults going through, or having gone through cancer, come together to learn about movement and food, and how that can help with their recovery. I learned a lot from speaking with everyone at Trekstock's Meet & Move event and I hope they took away a few helpful pointers from me also!" Dr Hazel Wallace
Trustees Our team of Trustees takes Trekstock's work very seriously and are responsible for making sure our charity is doing what it was set up to do. From Corporate Law to Entertainment, we are grateful to our varied and dedicated board. Expand Alex Gray Claudia Renton David Bower Eva Reynolds Dr Louise Soanes Phillipa Sturt Simon Lowe - Chair of Trustees
Young Adult Ambassadors Our Young Adult Ambassadors are an integral part of Trekstock. They lend their voices to help us to raise awareness and are passionate about helping us change the future for those affected by cancer in their 20s and 30s. Expand Olivia Rose Smith "I am incredibly passionate that everyone should feel confident through a cancer diagnosis, so I feel beyond proud that I can use my role as a Trekstock Ambassador to help others achieve this. The work Trekstock did to ensure I felt connected to young adults with cancer through my own treatment was irreplaceable, so I am honoured to be a part of ensuring that is the case for other people like myself." Read more about Olivia's recent Cancer Chicks x Trekstock partnership here. Follow Olivia on Instagram. Lauren Mahon "Trekstock were a lifeline to me from the point of diagnosis and being able to give back to this incredible charity via Ambassadorship is such an honour! I hope to support young adults on the mental health struggles and often crisis of identity that a cancer diagnosis can encourage - whether it's relationships, work or lifestyle." To read more about Lauren's amazing Girl V's Cancer, see here. Follow Lauren on Instagram. Toby Peach "I met Trekstock about 5 years ago when I was looking for a band t-shirt and was told my purchase was supporting young adults who had had cancer….WAIT...I’m a young adult who had cancer I thought. I have to speak to these people. Trekstock has been a big part of my life since then, from supporting me when I’ve needed help to giving me the platform to speak to other young people like me. I’ve had the pleasure of hosting their YouTube series Trekstock Talks and Meet & Move events and can’t wait to see how we can continue to help others living with and beyond cancer." Read more about Toby's incredible pursuits here. Saima Thompson "Trekstock have been extremely supportive to me, mentally and physically since my cancer diagnosis. The move and meet events have really helped me to not feel alone or isolated going through cancer as a young adult. What I love and feel passionate about is Trekstock’s personal approach to each of its participants, asking what you need to get the most out of their generous service." Read more about Saima's work and experiences here. Follow Saima on Instagram. Ellen Bisci "The long term effects of cancer can be devastating and although I am years post my diagnosis, I am still living with the effects of having cancer and it’s treatment, daily. The reality of how my life has changed and the fact that I’m on a completely different path to where I was before my diagnosis is heartbreaking, and it has definitely taken time to come to terms with. There’s a huge emphasis that once treatment finishes your life returns to “normal”. For many of us, this isn’t the case and it can be tough having to adapt to a new way of life. I am so excited to raise awareness with Trekstock, to support other young adults who like me are finding this new way of life a challenge." Read more about Ellen's experience here. Follow Ellen on Instagram. Ryan & Sean Collard "Hello and welcome to Cancer Lads. We are the Collard twins (Ryan & Sean) and we are both testicular cancer survivors. We battled it together and during our fight, we realised that there isn’t enough being done to help men through the process. We're working with Trekstock to start building a strong online community where we can support one another through the good times and bad. We will be posting inspirational men’s stories and discussing topics that men sometimes struggle to open up about." Read more about Ryan, Sean and Cancer Lads here. Georgina Swallow "Being diagnosed with cancer in your 20’s can be pretty daunting but feeling like you’re going it alone is much worse. Finding Trekstock has been integral for me in completing my treatment with a smile on my face. It’s thanks to Trekstock that I have had the support both mentally and physically I needed to cope and they connected me with amazing individuals who just ‘get it.’ The beauty of Trekstock is it isn’t one size fits all, there are so many different areas of support they offer and you are able to take whichever parts you need to help you feel whole again. I am honoured to be a part of raising awareness to help others feel whole again." To read more about Georgie's blog, see here. Follow Georgie on Instagram. Jolene Dyke "I feel honoured to be asked by the Trekstock team to become a Young Adult Ambassador. The charity has become a huge part of my cancer journey over the last three years and it feels great to be doing something help give back. I began fundraising and raising awareness of Trekstock a couple of years ago, including Conquer The Tower (2017), The British 10k (2018), Lake District 5 Peak Challenge (2018) and The Big Urban 10 Mile Trek (2019) and hope to continue raising funds and awareness to help Young Adults like me." To read more about Jolene's experience with Stage 4 cancer, see here. Follow Jolene on Instagram. Sarah Roberts "I’m proud to be an Ambassador for Trekstock, they feel like home to me as they were one of the first charities I contacted at the start of my cancer journey. I felt they really understood and they pointed me in the right direction when I was feeling lost it helped so much to have a ‘base’ and a group of people that understood what it was like to be a young adult with cancer. Being an Ambassador for Trekstock is an opportunity for me to give back as they were a big part and still are of my journey. Trekstock really understands and gives you the opportunity to connect with so many others. Cancer taught me a lot, and one thing it did was learn to get in the kitchen and to fuel my body the best I could, I have such a great interest in nutrition and exercise." To read more about Sarah's experience see here. Follow Sarah on Instagram. Angel Shepherd "During my cancer journey, especially in the beginning, I felt incredibly isolated. I was the youngest in my ward as well as the only minority, which was quite alarming – there had to be others, it was just a case of where. I want to help break the taboo around cancer within the BAME community and also raise awareness of the different types of cancer. Since discovering Trekstock I’ve made some amazing friends as well as getting the chance to add some great life experiences along the way." Emma McAuley "Facing cancer in your twenties is terrifying and isolating, which is why finding other young people was so important to me. Trekstock was a key part in helping me find my cancer family; a formidable support system who understand all the malignant stuff without judgement. People who have enriched my life and become my friends beyond our shared sinister cells. Coming to a Trekstock event is like coming home. I am beyond honoured to be a Trekstock Ambassador! Using this role, I will support this life-changing charity in their work to improve the lives of young adults dealing with the trauma of cancer to find their selves again and move forward." To see more from Emma, follow her on Instagram here.