About Us
Meet our Trustees
Ripples of Compassion is guided by a voluntary Board of Trustees who share responsibility for protecting the charity’s purpose and ensuring everything we do remains focused on the children and families we support.
Our trustees bring their individual experience, knowledge and perspectives to the charity. Together, they oversee our governance, safeguarding, finances and future direction—helping Ripley’s kindness continue to create meaningful and lasting ripples.
Guided by compassion. Responsible for every ripple.
Fiona Corless
Founder and Chair of Trustees
Fiona founded Ripples of Compassion in 2018 in memory of her daughter Ripley. Fiona has experience as an oncology mummy and as a bereaved parent that helps to give Ripples of Compassion an understanding of what the families we support experience on a daily basis.
Fiona is also a qualified occupational therapist that has specialised in working with children and young people with mental health difficulties and special education needs as well as an experienced service commissioner for NHS and Local Authorities Children’s Services and is able to bring this professional knowledge and expertise to help us to further develop the support we offer to families.
Fiona is passionate about improving the experience of the families we support.
Matt Longley
Treasurer
Matt Longley is the Charity’s Treasurer and responsible for the day to day operation of the finance function as well as preparing financial accounts and budgets. Matt has been in the role since the Charity’s inception in 2018 and is Ripley’s uncle.
Matt is an ACA qualified Chartered Accountant with a background in audit.
Sam Davis
Trustee
Sam joined Ripples of Compassion as a trustee in 2022 bringing a wealth of experience in public sector finance.
Carrie Watson
Trustee
Carolyn has known Fiona and her family since Fiona was a toddler. She has spent her career working as a primary school teacher, and has experience supporting children and their families in times of need. Carolyn has been involved with the charity since its inception, becoming a trustee in 2022.
Could you help shape the next chapter of Ripples?
Our trustees play an important part in protecting the purpose of Ripples of Compassion and helping the charity develop responsibly.
From time to time, we welcome people who can bring new knowledge, experience or perspectives to our Board. You do not need to have been a trustee before. What matters is a willingness to contribute thoughtfully, work collaboratively and share our commitment to children and families affected by serious illness, treatment, loss and bereavement.
Trusteeship is a voluntary governance role. If you are interested in becoming a trustee—or would like to explore another way of volunteering with Ripples—we would love to help you find out more.