Our people

Maria Hanson MBE

Maria, who herself suffers from health problems, set up the charity in 2006 and since then has helped hundreds of people with the help of her devoted team and vital donations. Maria say’s ‘I am delighted that the people below have agreed to join our Board of Trustees, each and every one of them bring something different to my charity and me&dee will benefit greatly with them onboard, I look forward to working with them all".

Kevin Moody – Chairman

Kevin is a retired financial consultant and has known Maria for many years now and was immediately struck by the work she does helping others. The saying “Real kindness is helping people you never met” resonates so well at me&dee and Kevin is delighted to be the Chairman, helping to increase awareness of the me&dee and offering support to Maria.

Nikki Kinsey – trustee

Nikki is a Director and Board member of Derby based recruitment specialist, Sellick Partnership. Nikki was instantly drawn to me&dee when she first met Maria Hanson at the 2014 Derby Telegraph Business Awards and was immediately overwhelmed by Maria’s kindness and dedication to helping those in need. Nikki has been committed to helping the charity ever since, working closely with Maria to create special memories for the charity’s beneficiaries. Nikki hopes that her passion for the not for profit sector, commercial experience and desire to ensure the charity is able to continue providing precious memories will offer a fresh approach and create new opportunities for me&dee.

Kieron Pollock – trustee

Kieron has previously been CFO and COO at both Las Iguanas and lately Riviera Travel. It was is this last role he met Maria and Mark and was immediately drawn to their efforts and the aims of Me and Dee. ‘Once you meet Maria and Mark you can’t help but be astounded at what they have delivered and the difference they have made. It is impossible to feel and fully understand what the families they have helped have gone through but you do know that Maria and Mark have made each family’s burden that much lighter’

Anita Marbrow – trustee

Anita has been involved with me&dee since 2011. Having initially been drawn to it by it's warm and caring attitude towards all it helps. Anita has been proud to support Maria over the years and blessed enough to have met some of the supported families. “The difference it makes to the families in incredible. The personal touches included make it easier to make those special memories by the sea"

Ralph Skripek – trustee

Ralph, Company Director for The Butlers Pantry, is very proud to support Maria and the memories she creates. Ralph hopes that his contacts and experience in the events industry will support me&dee and looks forward to continuing the successful relationship with Maria and Mark that has developed over the past few years.

Craig Barker – trustee

Craig is an experienced business owner, having run a successful creative agency for more than 17 years, winning prestigious contracts and creating a business with a proven track record and solid reputation. Craig also co-founded Derby Hub, a successful not-for-profit business support organisation, bringing the business community together, sharing expertise, becoming a positive support network and creating opportunities. Craig has known and worked alongside Maria Hanson and Me&Dee for many years, supporting in various capacities. “I am delighted to have been asked to further support me&dee Charity by becoming a trustee, I am honoured to be involved and looking forward supporting in any way we can."

Helen Skripek – trustee

Helen is the Company Secretary for The Butler's Pantry, a local family run catering and events business. Helen met Maria at a me&dee networking event, and having been on the search for a local charity for the business to support for some months, it immediately became apparent that me&dee would be their chosen charity. Helen has forged a close friendship with Maria and enjoys supporting the charity and promoting their events through her own personal and business social media.

Mark Harrison

Mark is our Charity Development Director and joined the charity in January 2018

Proud of the memories we make

"We cannot thank you enough for giving us a week of peace,
laughter, and putting our family on a much needed even keel together."