Meet Our Team

Emma also took a GAP year aged 18 to spend 6 months travelling across South Africa and teaching in Swaziland.  This was a dream of Emma’s age 7 years old when she saw Nelson Mandela being released from Robben Island on the news.

Since then Emma completed a Masters degree at University in Creative Producing and was fast tracked through various roles in the Arts to Senior Management managing a fundraising development campaign in east London both before and after the 2012 Olympics.

Emma became a Networking Supremo in London on the Canary Wharf and City scene securing major connections and managing multiple levels of engagement with contacts to secure working partnerships that benefited all parties. During this time she and her husband, Leigh, looking after their growing family became the priority and so she took the leap into self-employment.

Since doing so Emma has launched an Empowerment Network and founded Steel Bones.

Emma loves spending time with her family, dog walking adventures with her children and hot chocolate with Disney films is always a special treat.

Emma is very passionate about providing amputee families with reliable support.

Leigh’s family was determined to ensure this didn’t impact his life, he played football under the coaching of his passionate Dad and refused to use his lift pass at school. He experienced many tricky situations which with the support of his amazing family he overcame and became the strong, fair, kind man he is today.

Leigh has extensive experience as a Painter/Decorator and Printer in the family firm MBA Group along with holding a number of retail roles.  Leigh has managed social media, and websites for various businesses and loves computers.

Unfortunately, Leigh lost his leg in 2008 after an operation went quite wrong. It was a massive shock to Leigh and his family.  He has had various operations, procedures and prosthetic problems since.

Leigh is passionate about providing amputee families with the support they need to accomplish their goals.  He never wants an amputee family to feel alone as his family felt after his amputation. Leigh says ” We must unite as a community as we are the only ones who truly know the daily challenges we endure through this life changing experience.

Leigh lives by his late Father’s motto: “It matters where you come from, but what matters most is where you are going”.

Colin also plays an active role in his community. Colin has sat on various community committees and is now very proud to be able to lead Steel Bones in its exciting growth.

Colin loves fundraising and recently swam 101 lengths to raise funds for Steel Bones along with organising hugely successful raffles.  His family plays an active role in Steel Bones’ life helping other families and organising events like Bingo nights.

Colin recently became Grandad to Baby Neo who he adores spending time with and he is thrilled Liverpool won the Title!

The BAC works to build and strengthen the relationship and integration between the two communities through public events such as Easter Egg Hunts, Thanksgiving Lunches and assisting at local events.

Having met Emma & Leigh at business networking events, Adam was approached to see if the BAC would be able to assist in any way with a celebration day for Steel Bones, to get amputees and their families together. RAF Mildenhall responded by offering to host the day and provide lunch, refreshments and demonstrations from Military dogs as well as the opportunity to look around and sit in aircraft from the Base.

Adam is married to Claire and they have 2 daughters who enjoy family days out visiting zoos & farms or anything else outdoors.

I have been a below knee amputee for nearly 21 years and also have an upper limb difference since birth.

I have tried not to allow my disability to rule my life, but I am very aware that at times it can take over every aspect of my life, both physically and mentally.

I have enjoyed attending several celebration days with Steel Bones and have welcomed Steel Bones support when I have needed it.

A bit about me. I’ve been a nurse for nearly 30 years. starting my career in orthopaedics and general surgery. And for the last 21 years, I have been an occupational health specialist nurse, 20 of those within the NHS. Last year, I jumped ship and now work in the private sector, which can be just as stressful and rewarding in equal measures. In my day-to-day role, I support people in the workplace who is health may affect work or whose work may affect their health.

I make recommendations to management in line with the disability criteria for the equality act. I support employees with both physical and mental health needs.

In my other life, I am a wife to Craig, a mum to Ellis, a step mum to Rachel, Tom and Owen, and a Nana to Elsie(6 months old).

I love nothing more than the family round for a big roast dinner.

My other passion is live music, and there is no better band in the world than the levellers!!

I look forward to my new chapter with steel bones as a trustee,

I hope I can bring a new perspective to the organisation through the lived experiences of families who are impacted by amputation and all the highs and lows that go with this transition. I love gardening in my allotment, visiting music festivals and spending time with my cherished cocker spaniel. I am so proud to be joining Steel Bones!

Strange likes: Tuna mayonnaise, red onion and a black olive sandwich (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it, it’s delicious)!

Strange dislike: Kids party balloons! Proper full on phobia!

Best way to spend a Saturday night: Babysitting my grandsons.

She saw what the charity was trying to achieve and wanted to be a part of its growth and the support it gives to the Amputee Community.

“Steel Bones has a family feel to it and the support is given through events, welcome packs, the Bones, family mentors and peer support groups is immense. I am humbled that my daughter and I get to help make it happen! I have seen the charity grow over the years and can only hope this continues year on year” Billie said.

When not helping SB, Billie is Mum to Erin, manages a Community Supermarket for a community centre (the 1st Citizen Supermarket in East Anglia), runs a Hygiene Bank and fundraisers with Rotary. She has worked as a retail manager for several large companies, opening new stores, recruiting and training staff and also managing hostels for homeless people too. She qualified as a holistic therapist at 30 and ran her own business for over 10 years. This is a woman who likes to keep busy!

We have been involved with Steel Bones since 2017 when I reached out to them. Amputee life can be a rollercoaster and as a family, we try to keep as positive as possible as the highs and lows can affect us all.

We have received incredible support, met many amazing people and attended lots of wonderful events.

I am a Relax Kids Coach and I’m also a Piano Teacher.

I love spending quality time with my family and escaping to the Beach.

My brother-in-law is an amputee, and I witnessed and supported the day-to-day difficulties and achievements an amputee faces.  This is the reason I chose to support steel bones and the community the charity helps.

After leaving university, I worked as a professional dancer and performer away from Suffolk in various roles. In 2016, f,ollowing a family loss I returned to Suffolk. It is then I began a career in adult health care working as a cafe assistant in a residential care setting. In the 7 years that have passed, I have progressed into multiple roles including moving and handling and dementia trainer, voice representative, and palliative care champion, resulting in my current role of a residential manager. Being part of a management team running a 60-bed residential care home with 80-100 staff members.

Alongside my residential role, I have co-owned a local dance school and continued performing at a variety of venues/audiences.

I aim to bring my creative, caring and leadership skills to steel bones to support the amazing work the charity does. 

David Wiseman, Kaze Gibbons, Allison Friday, David Richardson, Philip Pierpoint, Naomi Thurbon, Forbes Mutch & Jack Saunders.

We also have Young Volunteers who are a fantastic help:

Charlie, Erin, Tess, Oliver, Jack, Daniel, Levi, Kiera, Nieve, Honey, Daisy, Teddy and Sally

My hobbies: Travel, fishing & gaming
Favourite meal: Spaghetti Bolognese
Favourite pet: Golden Retriever and we have one called Keira
Favourite film:  Saving Private Ryan

He has worked for BT and the RAF for most of his career finally working as a business analyst contractor. His experience in a number of areas where he plans to help the charity including 25 years’ experience in developing new services, marketing, organisational change and project management. He hopes to use this experience to help Steel Bones grow and develop so it can help the maximum number of people in the best way possible.