Meet the Trustees!
Chris Hope
Chair and Trustee
Wing Commander Neil Hope MBE VR
Neil started the Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Charitable Appeal in 2006. Charlotte helped with the appeal from a young age and travelled as a volunteer on many of the delivery visits. Neil served in the RAF for 42 years, as well as working in football for the RAF and FA, before retiring to the golf course whilst continuing with the shirts appeal and becoming a trustee of Lottie's Way to continue the work Charlotte loved. He will forever mourn his 'baby girl'
Trustee
Colin Hope
Trustee
Squadron Leader Mark Smales
Mark has been a family friend of the Hope’s since 2010 when he was posted to RAF Shawbury and worked with Neil, immediately becoming involved with the Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Appeal. It was through the appeal that he got to know Charlotte, often spending hours sorting and boxing kit together, and in 2022 they were both part of the Appeal delivery visit to Kenya. It was here that he got to experience first hand just how much Kenya meant to Charlotte and how helping others came so naturally to her. Once Lottie’s Way was created it was a no-brainer to say yes when asked to become a trustee, who could say no when given the chance to continue this amazing young woman’s legacy?
He brings several skills to the role, a lot of them honed through over 20 years of military service. Perhaps the main one being his love for attention to detail, though admittedly some people would call it OCD! This becomes very useful when looking at the short, medium and long term goals of the charity as well as planning events to ensure we are hitting our aims and being as effective as possible to help those who need it most.
Trustee
Wing Commander Joan Ochuodho ACMA CGMA
Trustee
Sophie Goodwin
I joined Lottie's Way as a trustee, after being an avid volunteer, and I have been so lucky to have travelled on all of the trips since Charlotte's passing in 2022, seeing first hand the impact made. Lotties Way means a lot to me, as Charlotte was one of my best friends, I love the charity, and the work we do - to honour our Charlotte. I am so proud of the work we have done, and the progress made. I also handle all of the social media and marketing for the charity!
Trustee
Colin Deane
Colin, a good friend of Neil's and an ex RAF Officer for over 20 years, also worked with the NHS at Exec level across a range of settings. He brings considerable experience of Operational Leadership and Management and has organised a plethora of different events. He joined the Board of Trustees in 2025 and is a keen volunteer wanting to ensure that the charity continues to deliver support to those who need it most.
Trustee
Air Vice Marshal Tamara Jennings OBE MA LLM
Patron of Lottie's Way