Our Patrons and Ambassadors are drawn from all walks of life and are vital in helping Sands achieve its aims of saving babies’ lives and supporting bereaved families.
Bel Mooney, Patron
Bel Mooney is a journalist, broadcaster and writer. She was instrumental in the founding of Sands in 1978 following the death of her son Tom, who was stillborn in 1975.
Hazelanne Lewis, Patron
Hazelanne Lewis co-founded Sands in 1978 following the death of her baby boy, who was stillborn in 1975.
Rob Allen, Patron
Rob Allen founded the very first Sands United FC team in Northampton in 2018.
Genelle Aldred, Ambassador
Genelle Aldred is an Author, Broadcaster and Consultant for all things communication. She has enjoyed a successful career as a journalist and newsreader moving to commentary and punditry in recent years.
Matt Allwright, Ambassador
A freelance television and radio presenter, a writer, journalist and musician. Matt got involved with Sands as an Ambassador after the death of his best friends' twin boys, Finlay and Cameron.
Malin Andersson, Ambassador
Malin is a mental health advocate and body positivity campaigner. Malin’s first daughter, Consy was born seven weeks early in December 2018 and was cared for by Great Ormond Street Hospital, but sadly died on 22nd January 2019.
David Haig, Ambassador
David Haig has had a varied acting career on stage and screen. David became involved with Sands after his daughter Grace was stillborn in 1996.
KSAVI Joshi, Ambassador
Influencer KSAVI, is a trained makeup artist and certified life coach. She found comfort, motivation and gratitude in celebrating both inner and outer beauty following the devastating loss of her second son, Shivai.
Donna Ockenden, Ambassador
Donna Ockenden (FRSA) is a nurse, a midwife and community activist. She has more than 30 years’ experience within a variety of health settings both in the UK and internationally.
Professor Gordon Smith, Ambassador
Professor Gordon Smith is head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Cambridge.
Professor Sarah Stock, Ambassador
Professor Sarah Stock, MD, PhD, is a Women’s Health Program Director at Wellcome Leap.
Rakhee Thakrar, Ambassador
Rakhee Thakrar is originally from Leicester. On a last minute gap year she decided to give the acting profession a try. Since then her credits include Page Eight, Holby City, Bollywood Carmen, EastEnders and most recently Emily Sands in the Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education.