Meet the team

If you would like to support Bradford Hospitals Charity please get in touch with our friendly fundraising team who will be happy to help you with your queries and provide fundraising ideas and support.

For more information, visit our fundraising section.

Laura Riach – Charity Director

Laura brings over 20 years of experience in the charity sector to her role. With expertise in fundraising, marketing, and communications, she leads the charity's collaborative initiatives across Bradford and its surrounding areas.

Her mission is to maximise the impact of donors' generous support, including donations and Gifts in Wills, enabling the charity to enhance patient care beyond NHS funding. She's committed to engaging with Bradford's diverse communities and building meaningful partnerships across the district, believing that lasting positive change comes through strong relationships.

She finds daily inspiration in the unwavering dedication of both hospital staff and the charity team and is passionate about connecting with people from all backgrounds who share her vision for improving healthcare in Bradford.

Jackie Dawson – Head of Fundraising

Jackie is a highly experienced fundraising professional with more than 18 years' experience working across community, corporate and major donor fundraising. She brings extensive expertise in developing partnerships, managing grants and leading successful fundraising initiatives across Yorkshire and the Humber.

In her role at Bradford Hospitals Charity, Jackie plays a central part in driving the charity’s fundraising ambitions, championing major campaigns and engaging supporters across the region. As the lead of the fundraising function, she helps shape strategy, inspire donors and strengthen the charity’s reach - ensuring that vital funds are raised to support patients, families and staff across Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Jackie.Dawson@bthft.nhs.uk

Clare Chillingworth – Head of Special Projects

Clare is an experienced grants and fundraising specialist with a strong background in delivering high value, multi partner charitable projects across the health and voluntary sectors. As the Head of Special Projects at Bradford Hospitals Charity, she plays a key role in shaping, managing and advancing major charitable initiatives that support patients, families and clinical teams across Bradford Teaching Hospitals.  
 
She is known for her ability to build meaningful relationships, influence at all levels and drive forward complex, high-value fundraising and development projects working closely with major donors and Trusts and Foundations. Her leadership supports Bradford Hospitals Charity in growing its impact and strengthening its contribution to the wider Bradford health and care system, with a focus on the 'Home from Home' Appeal since she joined in July 2025.
 
Clare is passionate about helping organisations maximise the difference they make for communities. Her work continues to shape transformational fundraising initiatives that support better experiences and outcomes for patients and families across Bradford.
 

Ellen Hicks – Head of Communications and Marketing

Ellen is an experienced communications and engagement leader with a strong track record across the NHS and wider healthcare sector. She joined Bradford Hospitals Charity in September 2025, where she leads strategic communications, brand development and marketing to elevate the charity’s profile and impact across Bradford and beyond.

She brings a unique blend of clinical understanding and communications expertise, holding a BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing from Northumbria University. Her background in nursing shapes her empathetic, people‑centred approach and underpins her commitment to improving patient and staff experience through meaningful, inclusive communication.

Creative, strategic and highly collaborative, Ellen is skilled in social media, content development, stakeholder engagement and shaping compelling narratives that connect communities with healthcare initiatives. She is passionate about using communications to drive positive change, strengthen trust and support charitable work that enhances healthcare services and experiences for patients and families across Bradford.

ellen.hicks@bthft.nhs.uk

Kelly Townsend – Community & Events Fundraiser

As our Community & Events Fundraiser, Kelly is the driving force behind our engagement with the community and the success of our fundraising events.  Kelly is passionate about making a difference and thrives on building relationships with our supporter’s and raising awareness of the charity and its funding initiatives across our communities.

Caroline Carmichael – Corporate Partnerships Manager

With over 15 years of experience in the charity sector, Caroline Carmichael brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to her role as Corporate Partnerships Manager at Bradford Hospitals Charity.
Caroline is responsible for managing and developing the charity’s corporate income stream, playing a key role in supporting Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to achieve the ambitious goals set out in the Bradford Hospitals Charity Strategy. She is focused on growing the charity’s supporter base by building strong relationships with businesses and corporate sponsors across the region.
A passionate advocate for community engagement, Caroline is always exploring new partnership opportunities and innovative fundraising initiatives. She is proud to be part of a team that is committed to making a real difference and is especially keen to raise the charity’s profile across all communities in Bradford and beyond.
 

Vicky Fisher – Fundraising Assistant

As our Fundraising Assistant, Vicky is here to assist the team with day-to-day tasks & support all our donors on their fundraising journey. Vicky is passionate about building key relationships with donors, allowing us to understand what the driving force is behind their fundraising. Vicky is also keen to help raise the profile of the charity across all communities, so we can work together in supporting the families of the future who will rely on Bradford Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust’s vital services.