18 May 2021

New (and familiar!) faces boost the Trust team

There are more exciting changes to the Trust as we welcome Annie to the Operations team and Hayley takes on a new role as a full-time fundraiser

Annie Hobson will work with families and hospitals to support young people coming on trips as Young Person & Hospital Liaison. Hayley Skinner, a familiar face on Largs trips, will now be helping to raise money as our Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser.

Renfrewshire-based Annie is a highly experienced office manager, PA, and training coordinator who has always wanted to work for a charity which aligns with her personal values and where she feels she can make a positive impact. Her family are part of the Inverkip sailing community, so she already has her sea legs!

In her new role, she takes over from Hayley in being responsible for maintaining and developing relationships with hospital and charity partners, managing spaces on trips, and overseeing the full process for young people attending a trip.

Annie said: “I’m looking forward to getting to know the young people, learning more about them, hearing their stories, and making it the best experience we can for them. Having worked in corporate environments for 10 years, I jumped at the chance to join the Trust. The impact it has on improving young people’s lives is phenomenal and I’m delighted to be part of making that vision reality.”

Hayley, meanwhile, is moving teams and is our new Trust and Foundations Fundraiser. This marks the first time a full-time fundraiser has been based in our Largs office.

She will be responsible for developing and growing grant income, working with other Trusts, Foundations and other grant-giving organisations. She will also be heavily involved in writing applications, reports and managing relationships while looking to find more opportunities for, and managing, support.

Hayley said: “I am very excited to become part of the Fundraising team and getting to continue working with the wonderful Trust team in a new role. It’ll be a new challenge for me but one I am really looking forward to – especially being able to use my experience of Trust trips, and the impact they make on the young people we work with in our applications.”

Lindsay Nehorai, Fundraising Manager, said: "I'm so excited to have Hayley join us on the team. She knows the Trust inside out and will be a huge asset in diversifying our income through trusts and grants, while continuing to represent the best of the Trust as she always has done."

James Hall, Operations Manager, North, said: "With Annie's rich history of experience, her passion for sailing, and her motivation to make a real impact to young people's lives, she is already a huge asset to the Operations team. We're glad to have her aboard."