Children on the Edge
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    • A Child Rights Approach
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  • WHAT WE DO
    • Bangladesh: Education for Rohingya refugee children
    • India: Education for 'untouchable' Dalit children
    • Uganda: Transforming slum communities
    • Uganda: Early Years Education for Congolese refugee children
    • Kachin State Myanmar: Support for displaced children
    • Bangladesh: Community Schools for slum dwelling children
    • Lebanon: Education for Syrian refugee children
    • India-Nepal border: Education for children in brothel communities
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Meet the team
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'in order of appearance'
Rachel Bentley
Co-Founder and CEO
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Rachel strategically directs the global operations of Children on the Edge. This involves identifying overlooked children living on the margins of society and, in relationship with local partners, pioneering new initiatives to help these children thrive. 

She has been leading Children on the Edge for over two decades and does occasional consultancy work for UN agencies in the area of children's rights. Rachel has an MSc in Development Management and a Masters of Advanced Studies (MCR) in Children's Rights. She is accompanied by a mischievous chocolate brown labrador called Monty who steals most of our food. 


Ben Wilkes
Chief Operating Officer 
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Ben leads the team in the UK that supports and resources the work of our international partners. 

​Whilst he is no stranger to the words 'communication', 'fundraising' and 'strategy' and spends a lot of his time in front of a computer screen, he has lived and worked on the projects we support overseas and continues to have regular input internationally.  
He has worked for Children on the Edge since 2000 and comes to work with his dog Lola, our office Happiness Coordinator.
Emily Dadson
Operations Manager
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Responsible for the backbone of the organisation, Emily keeps it legal by ensuring the right HR, policies and procedures are in place and oversees the smooth running of the UK office. 

​Emily also provides all the logistical support and management for our fundraising events and volunteers. Emily has impressively ensured that every 'i' is dotted and 't' crossed since May 2003.
Esther Smitheram
Communications Manager
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Esther liaises with project partners to obtain the latest information about our work, in order to communicate it to anyone who will listen. Part of this information gathering is hearing the views and experiences of children we work with and ensuring their voices are heard on a wider scale. 

Esther has an MSc in International Political Communication, Advocacy and Campaigning.  
Sarah Ndlovu
International Programmes Coordinator
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Sarah supports our international programmes through Monitoring and Evaluation in Africa and the Middle East. She oversees project expenditure, ensuring that every penny raised for our programmes is spent as it should be and creates real and long lasting change. 

She is a qualified teacher and holds an MA in Education and International Development.
Eloise Armstrong
Fundraising Manager
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Eloise is responsible for our corporate fundraising and building new partnerships with companies and brands who want to support Children on the Edge and our fundraising events.

Eloise has an MA in Social and Political Sciences and a love of living by the sea. 
Sophie Poore
Grants Manager
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Sophie is responsible for writing our grant applications and reporting back to all of our wonderful funders. She also researches new funding opportunities; ensuring we can continue to run our projects successfully.

She has worked for 13 years in similar Trusts and Statutory funding roles for a number of different UK and overseas charities.
Jemma Gilpin
Communications and Marketing Officer
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Jemma works closely with Esther in our Communications Team and keeps our supporters, fundraisers and donors up to date with news about our projects. 

She has a BA in Journalism and eight years experience in fundraising support, charity events and communications. 

Lisa Whitby
Fundraising Assistant
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Lisa has been a long term supporter of Children on the Edge and we're delighted to finally have her talents as part of the team. 

​She motivates and supports all of our individual fundraisers, including those who take on a challenge for Children on the Edge.

She's likes to run in the morning with her black labrador Pip, and has a 
BSc in Social Policy & Administration.

Gemma Driver
Grants and Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
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Gemma loves working at Children on the Edge so much she has two jobs with us! She mainly supports Sophie by producing grant reports for our donors, but also works on the development of monitoring and evaluation of our programmes.
 
Gemma has an MA in Gender and International Development.


Otto and Monty
Welcome Team
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Otto and Monty are an essential part of the organisation. Their responsibilities range from greeting visitors, to bin clearance and providing foot warmth under desks. 

Otto has recently retired from his post to enjoy life at home after a tough career at Children on the Edge. But we still consider him part of the team and he does make the occasional appearance to check in.

Monty is named after our favourite chocolate company Montezuma's! 
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Lola
Happiness Coordinator
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Lola is the youngest member of the team and joins our Executive Director, Ben into work every day. 

Her boundless energy and frequent cuddles mean she's responsible for keeping the team happy and motivated at all times.

She's yet to learn the art of self control, so we do have to hide our lunch, unless we want to share. Monty, and Lola's big brother, Otto are working on developing her office etiquette.
Trustees

Stuart Gallimore (Chair)

Stuart is Head of Children's Services for East Sussex County Council.
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Paul Suter
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Paul was Finance Director of Harwoods Ltd for over 20 years and he is able to bring essential financial skills to the organisation.

Helen Pattinson

Helen is the Co-founder and Director of Montezuma's Chocolates. She brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience in growing a bespoke brand into a global business.

Sarah Wickens
​

Sarah brings support and business expertise as the Director of Chichester based business,  Store Property. She has been a vital supporter of our work since 2012.



Walter Jones
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Walter has been a volunteer with Children on the Edge since 2012. Before then he worked in education and was a headmaster of two schools for 18 years.

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Members of:
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Logo which says 'Registered with Fundraising Regulator'

Registered charity no. 1101441
REGISTERED COMPANY No. 4996130 

​Children on the Edge, 5 The Victoria, 25 St Pancras, Chichester,  West Sussex, PO19 7LT, UK.
  • DONATE
  • WHO WE ARE
    • A Child Rights Approach
    • Meet the team
    • Contact Us
    • Media
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Bangladesh: Education for Rohingya refugee children
    • India: Education for 'untouchable' Dalit children
    • Uganda: Transforming slum communities
    • Uganda: Early Years Education for Congolese refugee children
    • Kachin State Myanmar: Support for displaced children
    • Bangladesh: Community Schools for slum dwelling children
    • Lebanon: Education for Syrian refugee children
    • India-Nepal border: Education for children in brothel communities
  • SUPPORT US
    • Receive our news updates
    • Trusts & Foundations
    • Fundraise for us
    • Take on a challenge >
      • 12,000 Steps Virtual Event
      • London Marathon
      • Brighton Marathon
      • Ride London >
        • Ride London Application Form
      • Chichester Half Marathon Event
      • Great South Run
    • Organise an Event
    • Fundraise at Work
    • Clubs & Faith Groups
    • Schools
    • Volunteer
    • Shop
  • Latest stories