Help for Heroes Offices - Downton
Bryn Parry, Co Founder and Chief Executive of Help for Heroes. Bryn served for ten years in the Royal Green Jackets, now The Rifles, before leaving the Army to become a cartoonist. Together with Emma, he ran the business for 23 years, producing a wide range of popular stationery and gift products as well as publishing nine books including the bestsellers Mad Dogs and Englishmen and Sex in the Countryside. Realising that it is not possible to run both the charity and the business, Bryn and Emma sold Bryn Parry Studios Ltd in early August 2009.
Emma Parry, Co Founder and MD of H4H Trading Ltd. From 1981-1985 I was an “army wife”, but since Bryn left the army I’ve been fully involved with running Bryn Parry Studios, doing everything from picture framing to merchandising Bryn’s cartoons. Apart from being a co-founder of the charity I am responsible for sourcing all the merchandise for Help for Heroes, which is rapidly increasing its range of products. We have three children in their twenties, and our son is currently serving with 2 Rifles in Afghanistan.
Kitty Dimbleby, Head of PR and Media: As a journalist for the Mail on Sunday I reported from Iraq and Afghanistan, witnessing firsthand the incredible bravery of our troops and the unimaginable danger they face daily on our behalf. In the Autumn of 2007 I was privileged to visit Headley Court with H4H co-founder Bryn Parry and write the first article about the launch of Help For Heroes. It was a extremely moving, inspirational experience and ever since I have wanted to help the charity in any way I can. Last year I married my soldier, an officer in the King’s Royal Hussars and moved to Wiltshire. Living here has given me the chance to work full time for Help For Heroes and I could not be more proud to be part of such a wonderful charity.
Rosie Trousdell, PR/Media Assistant: I graduated from University of Nottingham in June 2009 and began at Help for Heroes in September as the PR/Media assistant. I'm an Army brat so it's fantastic to be working for this incredible cause. I've been quickly signed up to my first H4H Challenge, joining the 300 or so others on the BBBR 2010 though I think it will take a lot of persuading to get me to climb Kili!
Jess Baker, Events & Challenges PR
I’ve recently joined Team PR at Help for Heroes and returned to the countryside after four years working at a PR Agency in the Big Smoke. Having grown up in a forces background (with many friends, family and my boyfriend still serving – I was even in the Army Cadets for 2 years!) and having been a passionate supporter of H4H since it started, I feel extremely lucky to have been given the opportunity to work full time for this wonderful charity and am loving every second of it!
Sarah Walker, Charity of the Year Co-ordinator: I have been involved with H4H since December 2007 (Month 2!). I started as a volunteer in London and then looked after London as the volunteer County Co-ordinator which was hugely rewarding. In November 2009 I was thrilled to be asked to join the rapidly expanding corporate team in Downton. I am currently the Charity of the Year Co-ordinator looking after all those wonderful companies that have chosen H4H as their Charity of the Year. Working for H4H is a huge privilege and I am delighted to be ‘doing my bit’ to support all those that are injured in the service of their country.
Claire Salisbury: I have been working for Bryn and Emma for 12 years in Bryn Parry Studios, so was here at the very start of Help for Heroes. Life has changed so much since Help for Heroes has been around, it's a great privilege and honour to work for such a fantastic cause, and feel that every day at work is so worthwhile. I now work for Help for Heroes Trading, my team is here to help everyone who orders through the online shop, or is doing events and wants promotional items to help with events happening all around the world. We are a very friendly team and do our best to help you with any queries you may have.
Hannah Wright, Customer Services. I have been working for Help for Heroes trading for just over a year. I am part of the customer service team in Downton. I find my job very enjoyable and find that there are rarely two days the same. I think that Help for Heroes is such a worthy cause and needs to be known to more people.
Hayley Goddard, Customer Services. working for Help For Heroes is a great privilege, it gives me the opportunity to do my bit for our hardworking servicemen and women. It's a great charity with a fantastic cause, it's an honour to work alongside the team.
Becky Thompson, PA to Bryn Parry: Becky (the terrier!) arrived at Help for Heroes after working at NAAFI for several years where she organised the Institute's huge events programme and all combined service sponsorship. Becky now keeps H4H HQ organised - no mean feat - and is training hard for her very first Help for Heroes Big Battlefield Bike Ride (BBBR) which she's renamed Becky's Big Bike Ride!
Charlie Gale, Design Assistant: I'm a newcomer to the H4H trading team, working alongside Emma on the ever increasing range of branded products. I have been a designer for over ten years and have loads of experience in product design and branding. We get so many requests for new products and I am here to help develop these. My job is creative, fun and very busy and it's always really exciting when the new products arrive into stock.