What is your name and job title?

Giles Fretwell – Events and Community Manager

Tell us about your role?

I look after the 2 teams. In Community, we have four members of the team who look after the different hospitals between them and then share the community fundraisers. They look after everything that is happening in the hospitals from Stall holders in Leeds Cancer Centre, handing out donation boxes to the staff, through to supporting people doing their own challenges.

Then on the events side, we put on all kinds of things, from the Toddle - a 1km spooky walk for 250 toddlers at Halloween - to a "Down the Chimney" Abseil in December. Plus supporting our amazing fundraisers in third-party events, like the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, Great North Run and The National Three Peaks.

When did you join the charity?

January 7th 2019

Why did you choose to join the charity?

Both my kids were born in St James's and Rex (my youngest) would probably not be here if it was not for the amazing staff on the maternity ward. So we looked to donate to the trust when we were all home safe and sound, and I followed the charity from then. When the role came up it was perfect for me and the rest is history.

Do you see opportunities for career progression at the charity?

I see me gaining a wider range of experience within my role - no two days are ever the same, but I would need to work in different teams to gain different experience to move up within the current structure.

What do you enjoy most about working for Leeds Hospitals Charity?

I love the appeals we have and therefore the range of things we have to do - From Bear Hunts to MND Marathons and more!

What has been a key highlight of your time at Leeds Hospitals Charity?

This one is an easy one for me, supporting the fundraisers is the best part. In doing this I helped get Ian Flatt to the top of Mount Snowdon in his wheelchair. It showed me everything I needed to know why we do what we do. A patient living with MND battling such a horrid disease putting himself through that to raise money for the Trust, to support and hopefully beat the condition.