Our Ambassadors

Over a long and successful professional life, Sir Al has gained a wealth of experience, which he has channelled into improving the lives of children and young people.

A trained children’s physician, clinical scientist, and ex-President of the British Medical Association, Sir Al has occupied many influential roles, including the first Children’s Commissioner for England and first Director of Clinical Research and Development at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“A child today across the U.K. experiences the death of a parent every 20 minutes and with proper understanding and support they can lead successful and confident lives; Dorothy House’s outstanding family support is needed urgently and deserves to be successful.”

Tom has just received a call-up to the England squad ahead of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations as hooker. He signed his first long-term contract for Bath Rugby in 2016. Just 12-months later he was called up to play for his country. Call-ups followed in 2018 and 2019 before he secured his first cap in the 2020 Six Nations.

Having played his 200th game for Bath Rugby, Tom shares his journey with playing for the team here.

Tom knows more than most about the dedication of our Dorothy House staff; his wife Jen works as a pharmacist in our Inpatient Unit.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of a team that are so committed to the care they provide and are such an important part of our community, I hope I can support the team in any way possible.”

Watch our exclusive interview with Tom Dunn here.

19 year-old Jess’s mum died in May 2021. Cared for at home by our Community Palliative Care Nurses, Jess saw first-hand the vital role Dorothy House can play at the end of life.

After her mum’s death, Jess joined our Teen Bereavement Group and has been working with our family support team to navigate her own bereavement journey and has already helped Dorothy House communicate the importance of grief support in schools.

“Since my Mum died, Dorothy House has supported me at every step. I am passionate about seeing grievers like me understood and not alone – and want to be an Ambassador especially for children and young people, whose stories are invaluable and should be heard.”

Kitty is a writer, poet, bestselling author and PR expert with over 20 years’ experience writing for national newspapers and magazines.

As a former trustee for Cancer Care Map and an Ambassador for the Royal United Hospital’s Charity, RUHX, Kitty’s own health conditions and public spotlight on the importance of wellbeing bring valuable insights to our Hospice.  

“My personal experience of living with a lifelong illness and chronic pain gives me a unique perspective on the vital role wellbeing can play in supporting mental health. Dorothy House has helped many people close to me and I am proud to be their new wellbeing ambassador.”

Diagnosed with MS aged 17, I have battled my illness to become a multi-medal winning Paralympian and a World Champion four times over. I featured in the British international team as a non-disabled swimmer breaking the British record for 100m backstroke when I was only 15.  Since my diagnosis, I have overcome many obstacles to rise to the very top of my sport. Winning four silvers and a bronze at London 2012 games, I went on to excel in Rio 2016 achieving gold, silver and bronze medals. I am passionate about helping people achieve their dreams and I visit many schools and organisations telling my story and inspiring others to strive every day. My achievements were recognised when I was made an MBE in 2016.

Having completed my A Levels at Millfield School, I started a career in professional cricket with Somerset CCC and represented England at U19 level. Stress fractures in my lower back cut short my career so I re-trained into financial services which eventually led to founding the Fidelius Group based in Bath, Exeter, Cheltenham and London. I now provide business advice and investment to growing local businesses and recently founded Paragon Structures which builds modern, environmentally friendly and cost effective sports facilities. Amanda Chester, my beautiful wife and fantastic mother to our three children passed away at Dorothy House in 2015 having been diagnosed with endometrial cancer.  She often referred to the nurses as Earth Angels. With our children Oscar, Scarlett and Sebastian, we work together to raise funds and awareness of the great care Dorothy House delivers every day. I am passionate about nutrition and exercise and their beneficial effects on physical and mental health. I love to travel especially with a bike, golf clubs, skis or yoga mat and hope one day to be a competent guitarist.

Dorothy House Hospice Care holds a very special place in my heart, and I have tremendous love for them as a community. Back in December 2015, I unfortunately lost my mum to cancer. To this day I still can’t comprehend how such a horrible thing happened to such a wonderful woman. Dorothy House was there for my mum, and my family, every step of the way. The nurses were genuine angels; they even put up with my mum politely demanding rounds of toast every 30 minutes!

Based on this, I feel it’s pretty obvious why I want to be an Ambassador, but to be specific, there’s 3 main reasons. To make my mum proud, to express my gratitude for Dorothy House and the members of their community, and finally, because I know how it feels to grow up as a kid with a heart full of pain, anger and confusion. I also know how it feels when I use the energy from that to thrive, and develop a profound sense of fulfilment. If my experience can help kids, who are in similar situations that I was once in, regain their sense of enthusiasm and fulfilment, I’d be over the moon. I also relish at the idea of discussing ways that schools can best support, comfort and strengthen any pupils that are struggling with grief.

I qualified in medicine from Cambridge (Emmanuel College and Addenbrokes Hospital) in 1980.  After a career in surgery, research (which failed) and then A&E (Consultant in Emergency Medicine, BRI), I moved into palliative care as a junior doctor in 2008. I worked in Dorothy House. I returned to the Christian faith in 1980 (aged 30), and some years later started a four-year theological training to be ordained, and to work as a self-supporting minister. This gave a fascinating insight into the spiritual needs of many people in everyday life. Dorothy House provides spiritual care in an excellent way – reaching to all – patients, relatives and staff – inclusively. I am non-denominational and found my ministry on unity, compassion and prayer. I moved into full time ministry (leaving Dorothy House) in 2016. I am delighted to keep my links with the hospice as an Ambassador. I am married to Pat, and have two grown up daughters, one son-in law and one grandson.

I joined Dorothy House as a Trustee and subsequently Treasurer over 10 years ago after my father died of cancer. Through that, my eyes were opened to the fantastic role that Dorothy House plays in our community, being the only provider of palliative care in our area sitting alongside the RUH. Also I very quickly realised that we are massively reliant on both individuals and companies to keep us funded on a continuous basis for everything we do. I have been truly amazed over the years at the progress we have made and how the team never stops looking for ways to reach out to those in the community that need us.

I live in Limpley Stoke with my wife, our three boys having now flown the nest. I have more than 30 years’ experience at senior board level, particularly within the renewable energy and service sectors. Though I am now retired, I keep busy with a mixture of non-executive board positions and with cycling, walking and travelling off the beaten track, in between finding time to see our boys up and down the country!

A qualified solicitor for many years specialising in commercial and residential property as well as private client work, I spent 10 years in London working for a large commercial firm before moving to Bath in 1980. More recently, I set up and ran an international trading company specialising in the horticultural sector.  I am a former Trustee of Dorothy House and have been involved in many large fundraising projects over the last 15 years.  I am married with three grown up children and one grandchild.