Meet the Fundraising Team!

From running the London Marathon to purchasing our Christmas cards, the MS Trust offers many different activities and opportunities to get involved. In this article we speak to the Fundraising Team to find out more about the people behind some of our much loved campaigns.

Rob, Director of Fundraising & Marketing

What does your role at the MS Trust involve?
I oversee all of the Trust’s fundraising and marketing activities and I’m a director for our trading company. It’s a cliché I know, but no two days are the same. One day, I’ll be discussing business planning with the rest of the senior management team; the next I’ll be reviewing an exciting new fundraising initiative.

What’s your favourite thing about your role? 
Meeting our incredible supporters and fundraisers is always a highlight – everyone’s story is different, but their generosity and commitment is a constant.

Marissa, Individual Giving and Legacies Manager

What does your role at the MS Trust involve?
I manage donations which aren’t raised through events or community fundraising. This includes regular donations, in-memory donations and legacies. I have managed the MS Doesn’t Stop and ‘MS Trust…in us’ campaigns, and the ‘Promise today, change tomorrow’ campaign.

Why did you decide to work for the MS Trust? 
I was diagnosed with MS in August 2018 and it is amazing to work for a charity which does so much for the MS community in the UK.

Jason, Trusts and Corporate Fundraising Manager

What does your role at the MS Trust involve? 
I work with the wonderful grantmaking trusts and businesses who support us. I write funding requests to trusts who might be interested in a project, and provide stewardship and reporting back to those who send us a grant. I also handle charity of the year partnerships with businesses of all sizes. 

Why did you decide to work for the MS Trust? 
I wanted to work somewhere I could help improve people’s lives. Even if I have a tough day at the office, I go home knowing I helped make a positive change to the world.

Claire, Fundraising Officer

What does your role at the MS Trust involve?
I look after people taking on active challenges such as trekking or cycling. This could be cycling in their local village, climbing Ben Nevis, or even Mt Kilimanjaro! I also look after skydiving, the MS:Play gaming challenge and our MS Trust Christmas cards, helping to pick the designs each year and overseeing the Christmas trading season. 

How long have you worked at the MS Trust? 
Over 13 years!

What’s your favourite thing about your role? 
I love speaking to our supporters and hearing about their ideas for challenges and fundraising they can do. I am always so impressed with their creativity and enthusiasm. Without our supporters and people fundraising for us we simply couldn’t achieve what we do at the MS Trust. So a big thank you!

Erika & Louise, Events and Community Fundraisers

What does your role at the MS Trust involve?
Between us we look after a large number of different fundraising events including London Marathon, the Great North Run, Ride London, the London Asics 10k and The Vitality Big Half teams as well as the MS Trust Running Club, which covers anyone taking on their own running challenge. We also offer support for fundraisers within schools and universities, help monitor our collection boxes across the UK and send out wedding favours. We’re also excited to get back to hosting this year’s My Garden campaign.

What’s your favourite thing about your role?
Erika: I’ve been fortunate to get to know many amazingly passionate people who have huge enthusiasm to play their part in making a difference for people with MS. I find our fundraisers hugely inspiring and I’m so pleased that I can see their hard work going to such great resources and support.

Louise: A highlight was supporting the Vitality Big Half Team in 2020 as this was one of the last big running events to take place before the pandemic. All our runners were amazing! 

Phoebe, Community Fundraiser

What does your role at the MS Trust involve?
I look after Miles for MS, Mission:100, Friends of  the MS Trust and Be Bold In Blue. I also support our fabulous fundraisers who support us at work.

What’s your favourite thing about your role? 
I’ve worked at the MS Trust for two years and I especially enjoy getting out and about and meeting our wonderful supporters (I’m looking forward to when we can do that again)!