Our Ambassadors
At Rotherham Hospice
Our ambassadors are proud champions of Rotherham Hospice.
They help us raise awareness, inspire fundraising and keep hospice care firmly in the heart of our community. Each brings their own story, experience and passion — but they all share one goal: ensuring we can continue adding more life to every day for local families.
John Breckin
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Rotherham United FC legend John Breckin has supported the hospice for many years.
After losing his wife at the hospice in 2006, John and his family experienced first-hand the care we provide. His daughter also attended our Sunbeams bereavement support group.
Since then, John has given his time and energy to support events including Midnight Memory Walk, Red Glove Day at AESSEAL New York Stadium and his annual charity cricket match at Wickersley Old Village Cricket Club.
Officially appointed as an ambassador in recognition of his longstanding commitment, John continues to be a visible and passionate voice for hospice care across Rotherham.
Phil Smith
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Phil became an ambassador because he believes palliative care is one of the most important services in society — not just for the person receiving care, but for the families around them.
Having had three family members cared for by the hospice over the last 20 years, Phil has seen the difference our team makes during the most difficult times.
His goal as an ambassador is simple: raise “bag loads of money” and make sure hospice care continues to be there for local families.
Jamie Sharp
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Jamie has supported Rotherham Hospice for many years through business connections and community involvement.
After learning more about the impact of hospice care, he continued his support and was proud to step into the ambassador role.
Jamie is passionate about involving younger people in understanding what hospice care means — from apprentices supporting projects like Meadow of Memories to helping generate revenue and wider media exposure through his business network.
Scott Thorpe
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
A proud Rotherham lad, Scott’s role as ambassador is rooted in giving back to the community.
Through his business and local connections, he is passionate about raising both funds and awareness — helping other businesses understand how they can support the hospice and make a difference.
For Scott, the hospice means everything to the town, and he is committed to supporting it day in, day out.
Allie Dransfield
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Allie Dransfield is Head of Agency at Chapter II, bringing over 20 years of experience in PR, marketing and communications.
Born and raised in Rotherham, Allie has supported Rotherham Hospice from a young age — fundraising as a dancer, backing the hospice lottery through her family, and more recently witnessing first-hand the outstanding end of life care provided to her best friend’s mum.
As an Ambassador, Allie is passionate about using her voice and communications expertise to raise awareness, inspire fundraising and champion the hospice across the business and wider community — helping to add more life to every day for local families facing terminal illness.
Luke Horton
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Luke Horton is a Yorkshire-based artist and designer whose colourful, joy-filled work has built a passionate following across the region and beyond. Born during the first lockdown as a creative outlet, his brand has grown rapidly — rooted in a belief that surrounding yourself with things that make you smile can make a real difference to how you feel.
Working closely alongside Rotherham Hospice, Luke has seen first-hand the significance of the care provided — not just for patients, but for the families around them. That experience has inspired him to use his platform and creativity in service of a cause he feels deeply about.
As an Ambassador, Luke is committed to spreading the hospice’s message to his thousands of followers and supporters — advocating for the work happening here and exploring how his creative expertise, including a range of bespoke merchandise, can help raise vital funds for the future.
Lisa Pogson
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Lisa Pogson is Managing Director of Airmaster, bringing a wealth of experience across office management, financial management and workforce strategy in organisations large and small. A passionate advocate for learning, development and knowledge-sharing, she is an active voice in local, regional and national business networks.
As president of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber from 2016, Lisa grew increasingly aware of the work of Rotherham Hospice — supporting fundraising efforts over the years alongside her team. When her mum became seriously ill last year, the hospice’s community support and end of life care had a profound and lasting impact on Lisa and her whole family.
As an Ambassador, Lisa is committed to raising awareness of everything the hospice does — and everything it takes to keep those services going. With a wide professional and personal network behind her, she’s determined to help ensure the hospice is there for the community for the next 30 years and beyond.
Hayley Koseoglu
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Hayley Koseoglu is a serial entrepreneur, author and business consultant with over two decades of experience building and scaling businesses from the ground up.
Having started her first business at 18, Hayley knows first-hand the challenges, pressures and rewards of the entrepreneurial journey — and has dedicated her career to helping other business owners navigate theirs with practical, honest and actionable support.
As an Ambassador, Hayley is passionate about championing Rotherham Hospice across the business community — using her network, expertise and voice to raise awareness, drive fundraising and remind local organisations of the vital difference the hospice makes to families facing terminal illness.
David Walker
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
David Walker is Sports Development Manager and School Games Organiser at Wickersley Partnership Trust, working across sport and education in the borough he has lived and worked in his whole life.
Rotherham Hospice has been part of David’s family story since he was 18, when his grandad spent a week in the hospice’s care — giving his grandma a period of respite that the whole family has never forgotten. For David, the hospice has always been a reference point in the community: a place that offers a little light in the darkest of times.
As an Ambassador, David is passionate about getting the hospice’s message out to younger generations — helping children and young people understand what a hospice really is, and why it matters. Working in education, he knows how powerful that early understanding can be, and is committed to using his role to raise awareness, support fundraising, and ensure the hospice has the reach and resources to keep serving everyone in the borough for years to come.
Kim Phillips MBE
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Kim Phillips MBE is Business Manager at CMG (The Crematorium and Memorial Group), bringing a career in public service that has spanned Rotherham Council, South Yorkshire Police and the national cleaning and facilities sector.
Having worked for Rotherham Council since 2005, Kim was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her outstanding contribution to communities across the borough — including her pivotal role in the Covid-19 response. A nationally recognised figure in facilities and cleaning management, she served as National Chairperson of the Association of Building Cleaning Direct Service organisations and holds a Director role on the British Cleaning Council. Away from work, she is a qualified race director and leads Clifton Park Parkrun every weekend.
As an Ambassador, Kim is proud to champion an organisation she sees as a standard-bearer for everything that is good about Rotherham. “Rotherham Hospice is the one organisation that is there for families in need — no judgements, just care,” she says. “It sets the standard for how care should be given during the most difficult times.” With a lifetime of public service behind her, Kim is committed to using her networks and experience to support fundraising, raise the hospice’s profile and help ensure its services are there for every community member who needs them.
Matt Hamshaw
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Matt Hamshaw is first-team coach at Sheffield Wednesday and a former Rotherham United manager. A Rotherham lad through and through, he grew up in the town and went on to coach and manage at his hometown club.
Matt has seen what the hospice does up close, with members of his own family cared for there. What stays with him is how open it is to everyone, and how the people of Rotherham rally round when someone needs them. “Anybody that walks in and out of those doors gets an unbelievable experience,” he says. “At a time when it’s tough for people, it’s really comforting.”
Being asked to become an Ambassador was an honour for Matt, and he’s keen to roll his sleeves up. Whether it’s a sponsored walk, an event or simply spreading the word, he wants to do his bit to get people involved and help keep the hospice up and running.
Steve Mohammed
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Steve Mohammed is a local business owner and one of Rotherham Hospice’s longest-serving volunteers. For more than 11 years he has given his time on the inpatient ward and with Sunbeams, work he describes as his purpose in life.
Volunteering has shown Steve, week in and week out, what the hospice means to patients and the people who love them. To him, it’s much more than a healthcare service: it’s a source of comfort and reassurance for local families when life is at its hardest, and a reflection of the very best of Rotherham.
Becoming an Ambassador is a natural next step for Steve, and one he’s excited to take on. Drawing on his years on the ward and his connections in the local business community, he wants to shine a light on the hospice’s work and encourage more people and businesses to get behind it through fundraising.
Chris Barnes
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Chris Barnes is Managing Director of CRB Door Systems, a Rotherham business with deep roots in the local community.
Chris has long admired the nurses, doctors and volunteers who make every moment count for patients at Rotherham Hospice. He sees their work as a ripple effect: caring for one person means supporting a whole family, and when families are supported, the whole town is stronger for it.
As an Ambassador, Chris wants to help close the gap between the hospice and the people it serves. He’s keen to challenge the misconceptions around hospice care and build a network of supporters across Rotherham, whether that’s through volunteering, joining an event or simply talking about the hospice. For Chris, it belongs to everyone, and it thrives because we all chip in.
Robert Peace
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Robert Peace works for Lloyds Banking Group and Scottish Widows. Born and bred in Rotherham, he is a former Lead Governor of Sheffield Children’s Hospital and coaches girls’ football at Wickersley.
Robert’s connection to the hospice came through his friend Joe, who was cared for there before he died in summer 2025. Robert saw how the team looked after not just Joe but everyone around him, even helping Joe and Amy celebrate their wedding. One of his last memories is sharing coffee and cake with Joe, swapping stories about good times, and it’s a moment he’ll always treasure.
As an Ambassador, Robert has three clear aims. He wants to use his financial services background to help families find their way through the money worries that often come with serious illness. He plans to draw on his grassroots sport networks to reach young people and spread the word about services like Sunbeams. And, in his words, he wants “to raise some money!”
Steve Mohammed
Rotherham Hospice Ambassador
Steve Mohammed is a local business owner and one of Rotherham Hospice’s longest-serving volunteers. For more than 11 years he has given his time on the inpatient ward and with Sunbeams, work he describes as his purpose in life.
Volunteering has shown Steve, week in and week out, what the hospice means to patients and the people who love them. To him, it’s much more than a healthcare service: it’s a source of comfort and reassurance for local families when life is at its hardest, and a reflection of the very best of Rotherham.
Becoming an Ambassador is a natural next step for Steve, and one he’s excited to take on. Drawing on his years on the ward and his connections in the local business community, he wants to shine a light on the hospice’s work and encourage more people and businesses to get behind it through fundraising.
How can you help?
There are many ways you can support us, whether it be through holding an event, playing in our lottery, volunteering, or donating!
