Our Staff
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The Arrhythmia Alliance team in Spring 2010 from L to R: Caroline Holmes, Laura Wood, Sara Newbold, Joanna Fearnley, Ben Fry, Trudie Lobban ( Founder & Trustee), Melanie Quinlan, Mary Rustic, Douglas Wilson, Heather Peebles & Wendy Hayward
Trudie Lobban
Trudie is Founder & Trustee of Arrhythmia Alliance (The Heart Rhythm Charity), Founder & CEO of Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures (STARS & STARS-US), and Founder & CEO of Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA).
Trudie organised the first Arrhythmia Awareness Week (AAAW) in 2004, which aims to raise the profile and awareness of arrhythmias in the public and parliamentary domain, this coincided with Trudie establishing Arrhythmia Alliance (A-A). She has been instrumental in replicating the services and educational links between patient groups and the medical fraternity in both the national and international arena.
Projects & Campaigns Team
Joanna Fearnley
I joined the team of Arrhythmia Alliance in September 2008 as the Projects and Campaigns Co-ordinator. Most of my time is spent planning the annual Arrhythmia Awareness Week in June. Each year the plan is to make the event bigger and better!
Laura Wood
I was pleased to join the Arrhythmia Alliance team in November 2008 and work as the Assistant Executive Manager. I enjoy my role overseeing various aspects of development for the charity, including funding and strategic plans.
Heather Peebles
I am the Project and Media Co-ordinator for Arrhythmia Alliance, having joined the organisation in October 2008. I am responsible for the Restart the Heart campaign and look after UK enquiries. I also work on the A-A website and print publications.
Tania Tirraoro
I am the PR Officer for Arrhythmia Alliance. Although I am new to this role, I have been involved with the charity since it began in 2004 with the very first Arrhythmia Awareness Week and before that, working voluntarily for STARS since 2000. My background is in broadcast news. My younger son, Giorgio, suffered as a toddler with Reflex Anoxic Seizures, so I understand what families affected by arrhythmias are going through.
Events Team
Melanie Quinlan and Sara Newbold
We are responsible for organising Heart Rhythm Congress (HRC) and Regional Meetings. We thoroughly enjoy our jobs and the opportunites we get to travel around the UK meeting patients and medical professionals. It is during these events that we are reminded of why A-A is such an important charity and is changing the lives of cardiac patients. HRC is the biggest event in our year, and after the success of HRC 2009 plans are already under way to make 2010 even better!
Support Team
Caroline Holmes
I started working for the A-A in September 2009. I assist Jenni on the A-A and STARS helpline, supporting and advising patients and their families, signposting them to the appropriate doctor/consultant when necessary.
Wendy Hayward
I am the Office Support Manager. I am responsible for the general organisation of a very bustling office. My role is varied with managing the IT systems, to assisting with the accounts, to dealing with the printing of our medical literature.
Charlotte Lobban
Since the Charity’s conception I have contributed to a wide range of work for AA and STARS, but I concentrate mainly on the various databases of patients and their carers, healthcare professionals, industry members, and media contacts. As the Database Manager, I keep all electronic records up-to-date and send regular monthly E-bulletins to all of our members, in addition to emailing specific groups intermittently with information relevant to them.
Francesca Lobban
I am a Helpline and Administration Assistant. I man the evening and weekend helpline, offering advice to patients and carers. I feel strongly about this position as I suffer from a condition myself and hope that I can provide reassurance and advice to others. As well, I design and compose the monthly e-bulletin, I proof read pieces of literature and publications, and I regularly create presentations that are used at international conferences and meetings.
I am also a moderator for Syncope Youth, Syncope, Heart Rhythm, AFA & ICD message boards, whereby I moderate all posts whilst trying to follow up any queries or concerns and also help by highlighting recent press articles, publications etc.