The Team

As Guy's mother, I am proud to be a Trustee of this Fund that he started himself.

Guy took on amazing personal challenges to raise funds for research and was very skilful at encouraging others to do the same. He even persuaded me to start running and to walk on hot coals!

Alisa has joined the Fund as Operations Manager and is involved in the day-to-day running of the York office, as well as organising the various fundraising and campaigning activities.

Her background is in international corporate marketing operations and educational training in the travel and leisure sectors, working in both Australia and New Zealand for a number of years.  Seven years prior to joining the Fund, she was the Business Support Manager in a major public sector organisation.

"Guy Francis is a true inspiration and a dear friend of mine.  Growing up next door to each other since we were little boys, we spent many a day out on our push-bikes, making dens, playing on the skateboards, or participating in a mixture of golf/rugby/athletics/football in our back gardens.  Guy even built a mini golf course in his back garden….to us it felt like St Andrews!  This friendship continued from being teenagers, into higher-education, on to university and I have lost count of the amazing experiences we shared together.

My involvement with Guy Francis and raising much needed money for the Why Guy? Appeal goes back quite a few years.

In my first teaching job (when I was Miss Fry!), I was fortunate to meet a very positive, happy and outgoing young man named Guy Francis. He was a bright and popular student, and someone whose company was very easy to enjoy - both as his teacher and  friend.

"Guy was a particular friend of my "little brothers" Richard and Andrew, back from when they all played in the local junior football team – and that friendship continued through school and university.  Our farm provided a great place for them and other friends to really enjoy life with numerous barbeques, parties and visits to the Burger Bar!  When, after Guy's tragic death, it was suggested that an oak tree could be planted overlooking one of the fishing lakes, our family readily agreed.  Guy's Oak has really flourished, and his friends also placed a bench alongside it for everyone to relax and reflect.