Momentum Trustees

Fiona Loveless - Chair of Trustees

Fiona Loveless was first introduced to Momentum in 2005 when her daughter Holly, then aged 7, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

When your child is diagnosed with cancer your whole life is turned upside down and you suddenly find yourself thrown into a very strange and frightening place that bears no resemblance to the life you had minutes earlier. Through Momentum we were able to meet other families who had or were currently facing the same trauma. This was a huge help and support to  both Holly and myself. I wanted to try to improve the quality of life for these children whilst they were undergoing their treatment and so got heavily involved with the fundraising side of the charity later that same year. I was delighted when I was asked to become a Trustee.

Ed Newton - Vice-Chair

Ed runs his own Market Research agency.  He previously worked for some leading companies including Unilever, SC Johnson and GFK.  With his family he has been a long term resident of Kingston where he has been frequently involved in various community activities including local club rugby and he was a School Governor for several years.

His involvement with Momentum started as a loyal supporter of the various excellent events staged over the last four years.  In early 2008 he was delighted to be asked to become a Trustee of Momentum and enjoys helping and supporting the charity in its continuing growth and success.

Nick Cronin – Finance

Nick Cronin is a Consultant for Montpelier Tax Planning and advises Momentum on their finances and business plans.

Jacqui Coppellotti – Founder Member 

Jacqueline is one of the original co-founders of Momentum and is a Trustee of the charity. She met with the other co-founders after her eldest son was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had to undergo treatment including a surgical resection and later chemotherapy, some of which was administered at Kingston Hospital. As well as having a busy family life, raising three children together with her husband Chris, Jacqueline works part-time as an occupational health consultant. She previously worked in a similar position for a large International Airline and is also a registered nurse. Jacqueline is passionate about Momentum and immensely proud of the changes the charity is bringing about.

Alison Trigg -  Founder Member

Alison is the proud mother of three little girls, who went through the trauma of having her eldest daughter, Yasmine, diagnosed with leukaemia at three and a half years old. Her family’s experiences and the subsequent twenty-six months of chemotherapy, at Kingston Hospital and the Royal Marsden, led her to a greater understanding of what is needed from a Charity and Support group of this type. 

During the first days after Yasmine’s diagnosis it became clear how beneficial it would be to have other parents to talk to who were experiencing similar trials and one of the seeds for Momentum was born. 

Yasmine’s strength and resilience throughout has been an inspiration to her family and friends and this has been a chance for Alison and her husband Dominic to give something back to the community who supported them throughout the treatment. 

Steven Humphrey McDermott

Steven has worked professionally in the Entertainment Lighting Industry throughout the UK and Europe for almost twenty years. He originally became involved with Momentum by helping out with the lighting for the charity’s first Opera evening at the Landmark Arts Centre. Since then his technical involvement has multiplied and he has been the lighting designer for all of our Cabaret evening fundraisers and was a major contributor, incorporating design and installation, for the Momentum Children’s Garden at Kingston Hospital, opened by HRH Princess Alexandra in October 2006.

Steven is the creative mastermind behind Momentum's fabulous fundraising events, such as our Venetian Masked Ball in 2007, our 5th anniversary 'Spectaculor, Spectaculor' at the Cafe de Paris in 2009, and 'Swing time in Spring time' in 2010.  He says:

“I’m absolutely delighted to fulfil the role of Trustee-fundraiser for such a deserving charity and am looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into many more exciting projects!”

Ian Moor

Ian first became involved with Momentum when Alison Trigg's daughter was diagnosed with cancer (Alison, one of Momentum's founders, and her family were his next door neighbours). Together with a few other neighbours, Ian and his wife Jan held a table-top sale in their street and raised a substantial sum of money to get Momentum started.

I am delighted to be asked to be one of the Trustees and to help this worthwhile cause.

Hind Thomas

I'm a Paediatric Sister at Kingston Hospital. I work with Bianca Effemey there and became involved with the charity during fundraising events, when they needed an extra pair of hands. I've become more involved with MOMENTUM over time, as it is clear that the money raised for the children and their families makes life more bearable for them during their sometimes long hospital stays. Most importantly though, MOMENTUM provides support and friendship for the families of children with cancer. 

Ian Ashpitel

Ian is an actor who has appeared on stage, screen and television for over twenty years. Prior to his acting career he was in the Royal Navy and spent five years on submarines. Ian says:

I first heard about Momentum through my friend Fiona Loveless, when her daughter Holly became ill with leukaemia. I offered to help by setting up a Charity Golf day, through my contacts with the Stage Golfing Society. We have now held four such golf days at Richmond Golf Club and they seem to be going from strength to strength, due to the work of the 'girls' at Momentum and of course the support of one of our Patrons, Phil Glenister.

Ian was "chuffed to bits" when Bianca Effemey asked him to be a Trustee and is looking forward to contributing more to a great and deserving charity.