The BigPinkHeart Team

BigPinkHeart wouldn't exist without the hard work and dedication of some very special people. Find out more about the team below.

Our Patron - Carrie Lloyd

Carrie Lloyd works as a producer in TV advertising.  Brought up by two Baptist Ministers, she led a slightly unusual childhood.  By age 4, she witnessed her parents take in everyone from homeless runaway children to woman of domestic violence, around the clock.  Every day help was an expectation.  Carrie's father was the Director for the Leprosy Mission and, before this, helped many campaigns to aid the elderly or outcasts.

One of the most prevelant acts of kindness from her parents began in 1968, when they found 7 tear-away kids on motorbikes on an estate in Manchester.  Her father soon found a disused church hall to keep them safe and out of direct abuse from local gangs and the group became known as the 171 Club. 

The 171 club grew from 7 to finally a 1000 members.  They developed the first courier service for blood donars.  Bikes were faster than ambulances at this time and cooperated with the police to block off roads and transport drugs/organs/blood from Liverpool to Manchester.  The Hell's Angels became known as the 'Heaven's angels'.  Just before Carrie's father died 6 years ago, he told her: 'Carrie you have two choices in life.  You can use your skills for yourself and nothing but yourself in life.  Or you can use your skills for the benefit of others.  Choose the latter, you'll feel better about yourself and the universe if you do.'

Carrie joining Big Pink Heart is not just a legacy to her father's advice, but believes it runs in her blood to spread the word about the art of giving, at least one moment a day for someone else.  A bunch of flowers for a broken-hearted friend.  A smile to a stranger.   A helping hand with someone's pram.  The tiny things make a huge difference.  We seem to be forgetting about the art of respect and the great rewards it gives us and others. 

Sharon Clephane

The founding Director of BigPinkHeart.  Sharon founded BigPinkHeart in October 2007 when she decided to stop complaining about the decline in social behaviour and to try and do something to bring about a positive change.

Sharon has drawn on her own life experiences in raising 3 children and the challenges this brings, with which most other mothers (and fathers) will also identify!  Apart from drawing on her experiences as a parent, Sharon has also been a member of a team at Parentline.

Carol Haylock

Carol met Sharon almost at the very beginning of the BigPinkHeart idea being born and fell in love with her idea of a National Day of Respect.  Carol has been instrumental in much of BigPinkHeart’s progress over the last two years and is now a valuable member of the BigPinkHeart team as a volunteer campaigner.  Carol says: 

"I joined BigPinkHeart as a volunteer as I believe that everyone would like to see change in our society and people respecting themselves and each other - but most of the time people are seemingly scared to try and achieve this. 

Working with BigPinkHeart has really opened my eyes to how many people are actually so extremely BigPinkHearted (an adjective I dream of seeing in the dictionary!!)  - these people donate their actions to us - offering much needed exposure for this fantastic cause, so that we can all work together and make these changes in our communities -  I look forward to meeting many more of you!!"

Denise Smith

Denise recently moved to Stamford after many years travelling around Europe and the Middle East as a service wife. After meeting Sharon and discussing the concept of BigPinkHeart her enthusiasm, passion and inspiration made me realise that this project could only succeed and grow. As soon as I met the people that help Sharon with this wonderful project I wanted to be part of the team, so I volunteered to become the Administration Officer.

I feel very privileged to be part of an organisation that puts people and community first, something that will benefit us all – long may the association continue.

I look forward to meeting many more new volunteers - come and join us, you will really enjoy being part of a wonderful team.

Julie Iles

Julie has been a JP (Justice of the Peace) since 2003.  She elected for youth court work mainly because she has two children coming up to teenage years and felt that this would put her in touch with issues and generalities affecting today's youth.

Julie regularly writes articles for BigPinkHeart from her perspective as a JP on the Youth Custody bench.

Irene Rae

Irene has joined the mission and passion of BigPinkHeart only recently (March 09) and is looking forward to helping spread the word!

Irene's current love is being a Musician and playing all across the country to try and bring people together and offer an escapism from the nastiness of the world.  The mission of BigPinkHeart is very close to her own heart after suffering bullying as a child and hopes that we can all work together to make the world a more comfortable and caring place for future generations. 

With a background in Sales she is going to help spread the word of BigPinkHeart to the very best of her abilities!

Susan Parker

Susan lives in Falkirk, Scotland.  She is married with one son who is taking his first steps into high school in 2008.  She is very interested in what BigPinkHeart is trying to achieve and the work we do with primary and senior schools. 

Susan has worked in childcare and early education for just over 24 years  in a variety of different settings including nannying, creche, day nursery and most recently as a Senior Early Year's Officer in a nursery class based within a primary school.  She loves working with the youngest children and is very passionate about young children's emotional well being and providing them with the tools to become responsible citizens in our society today, and to help them to realise their potential.  Susan feels that the younger we start this work with children, the better for them and indeed our communities.

Susan is looking forward to contributing some useful information to the BigPinkHeart website.

Diane Hill

Diane is a creative designer and talented illustrator from London.  We tasked Diane with rebranding BigPinkHeart in 2009 and we loved her designs so much we decided to use two of them, one for our official brand and the other for our merchandising and all round fun side!!  We are working on the 'storyboard' which will show how the two logos work so well together.

A BigPinkHearted thank you to this inspirational designer!  Diane is another valued member of the BigPinkHeart Team!

Jenny

Jenny will soon be writing articles for this section so please watch this space.

Sean Davoren

Sean is the Head Butler of The Lanesborough, London's most prestigious hotel, and author of the book 'Manners from Heaven'.  He is also a leading force behind the development of a brand new comprehensive NVQ course in butlering at City and Guilds. 

With Sean's input BigPinkHeart will be piloting some fun and interesting courses for children and parents.  Details of these courses will be available soon from our Resources section.  By the way, Buckingham Palace has been known to employ members of Sean's team, confident in the knowledge that a Davoren trained Lanesborough butler will be one of the best!