Our Team
The Trust is led by a small group of trustees with a broad range of experience.
Day to day operations are led by a small team.
Frances Connolly
Founder & President
Frances was born in Northern Ireland, the eldest of six and, despite coming from a less than privileged background, has been involved in charity work since her primary school days. Both her parents and teachers instilled in her a strong work ethic and a desire to help whenever and wherever possible. When she left Queens University and moved to Hartlepool she carried this with her, and views the opportunity to support and assist her adopted home on a larger scale as a privilege. She is thoroughly enjoying taking a full and active role in helping the community.
Shaun Hope
Chairman
Shaun is Chairman of the Trust and is the Assistant Principal at Hartlepool College of Further Education. Having lived in the town for the majority of his life, Shaun is passionate about creating better opportunities for local people.
Fiona Connoly
Trustee & CEO (Non-Operational)
Fiona was born and has lived in Hartlepool all her life and shares her mother’s desire to do as much good as she can in the North East. She is committed to the Trust's ethos of helping people to help themselves and is enjoying meeting the people who work in the projects.
Sally Dunne
Trustee
Born in Hartlepool, Sally has lived most of her life in the town and worked in the fire service for 30 years before changing careers to become a tutor. A huge animal lover, she also volunteers with animal charities and lives in the town with her husband and two cats.
Jen Bevridge
Trustee
My every day role is working within my husband’s building company The Build Directory.
My husband Alisdair has definitely been my inspiration to be more involved with charitable endeavours and it is a real privilege to work with the PFC Trust.
My goal as a Trustee for the PFC Trust is to assist where I can in supporting the amazing team here at the Trust. My involvement is a great opportunity to help ‘on the ground’ whether that be assisting with the grant application process, volunteering at a variety of fantastic events, or playing a part in the fantastic fundraising activities we can all participate in. It really is wonderful to see much needed funds making such an impact to the local community and to such a variety of wonderful causes.
Kelly Daley
Trustee
Kelly is Chair of the Hartlepool Sport CIC and has worked within education and sport since college. Having lived in the town since birth and having played football to a high standard from an early age, Kelly is passionate about building a strong foundation for all generations to access sustainable sporting activity. With the vision to boost self-development for all involved, minimising barriers and boosting a wealth of opportunity along the way, and providing the much needed recognition for Hartlepool as a town.
Diana Russell
Trustee
Dianna has lived in Hartlepool for over 30 years. Following a career in the NHS since the 1970s as both a nurse and in medical education, she has recently retired. An adventurer at heart, she has four grown up sons and lives with her husband and dog Charlie.
George Stannard
Trustee
Originally from North London, followed a career in insurance and became a Company Director of a large insurance broker. Moved to South Lakes in 1987 initially as a Regional Underwriter for a Lloyds Syndicate and finally a Business Development Consultant at Lancaster & Morecambe College.
George was a founder and Chairman of a football club, secretary of the largest open Art Exhibition in North West England for four years and a Director of a Residential Care Home. Moved to Hartlepool in 2018 and was pleased to become a trustee of the Gus Robinson Foundation and more recently the PFC Trust.
John O'Sullivan
Trustee
John is an Invester, Developer and Property Sourcing expert and has recently joined our board to share his expertise.
Carl Jorgeson
Chief Operating Officer
Carl was born in Hartlepool and has a wealth of experience across the Voluntary Sector and has held leadership positions within national companies and national sports organisations.
Carl is also the founder of several Sports organisations and is an International referee (Karate).
Carl is also Chief Executive Officer for Hartlepool Sport CIC - the sport, health and movement arm of the charity.
Kelly Brooks
Operations and Fundraising Manager
A devoted wife and mother of three, Kelly has spent her entire life in the close-knit community of Hartlepool Kelly's professional journey began with a background in Social Housing, Benefits, and Homelessness, supporting vulnerable individuals and families facing housing and financial challenges.
Life took an unexpected turn when Kelly faced a period of ill health. She decided to channel her compassion and determination into a career in the voluntary sector, where she could make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. Kelly's decision to join the PFC Trust was a natural fit.
Mike Walker
Trust Administrator
Mike Walker is a seasoned trust administrator with over two decades of valuable experience. Over the course of his 24-year career, Mike has consistently delivered excellence in administration. His attention to detail and organisational skills have made him an invaluable asset to The PFC Trust. While Mike excels in his professional life, he is equally proud of his most cherished accomplishments – his two wonderful children and his loving husband. They are the driving force behind his unwavering commitment to creating a secure and prosperous future for all families and individuals The PFC Trust serves.
Louise George
Health & Wellbeing Link Worker
Louise leads on several projects for The PFC Trust / Hartlepool Sport.
Louise is a former, primary school teacher of ten years based in primary schools within in the UK and abroad. She draws on her experience of working with children and young people from a wide range of ages, backgrounds, cultures, interests and needs and applies it to her work in removing the barriers that prevent communities in Hartlepool from leading happier and more active lives.
Her passions include running (occasionally barefoot), walking her dog and exploring new places with her family in tow.
Always one to ‘think outside the box’, Louise brings a creative flair to whatever she tries her hand at, be it an event or resource she has created.
She also holds The PFC Trust record for the brightest pair of leggings – never one to blend in!
Take a look at www.hartlepoolsport.co.uk for more.
Amelia Turner
Young Person's
Social Prescribing Link Worker
Amelia is our Young Person's Social Prescribing Link Worker and is hosted by Hartlepool Borough Council's Youth Service.
Hartlepool is fortunate to have its own Young Person's Social Prescribing Link Worker team. Amelia Turner is a Full Time employee of The PFC Trust, Mel Brown is a Part Time employee of West View Project, both are based within Hartlepool Borough Council's Youth Service. Dawn Robinson works Part Time for Hartlepower, and her role is to capacity build settings to received Social Prescriptions and to resource gaps in the local area that have been identified by young people.
The roles are also supervised by a steering group made up of reps from Hartlepool & Stockton Health, the HBC Youth Service, Hartlepower, PFC Trust, West View Project, The Haven and Changing Futures NE making it quite a unique - but highly effective and well-connected post.
Amelia works with young people 11-18 years (up to 25yrs for SEN) to build their confidence and navigate into groups and activities.