Our People

Ange Tyler

Charity Manager

Founder of the ELY Memorial Fund in memory of her daughter Emma Louise Young (ELY).  Emma died on the 30th September 2010 at the age of 23.   A night that changed the life of Ange and her husband Steve.  Emma died Intestate and had no Will.  The funeral costs were nearly £5000 which they could not afford.   Emma’s Nan helped to pay for her granddaughter’s funeral at a time of shear devastation.   The Charity was set up to support bereaved families who live in Herefordshire to provide a one-off condolence gift of £3000 to pay towards the funeral cost if they tragically lose a son or daughter in a road traffic collision aged between 17 to 25 years of age.  Ange organises fundraising events and speaks to young people and businesses about being safe drivers where she shares her own story of the loss of Emma.   

Russell Leary

Director

I work as a Funeral Director with Co-op Funeralcare. Covering Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Previously worked as a driving instructor in Herefordshire. Sparking a long-term interest in road safety. Started working with ELY approximately 5 years ago. First as a trustee and for the last 2 years as a director.

Donna Gavin-Robinson

Director

I’ve known Ange for a very very long time, over 30 years and remember visiting her sister-in-law when my children were little. Often Ange would be there with Emma who was only a little girl then. I was so saddened to learn of Emma’s tragic death. When ELY was first founded, I attended the first ball which was amazing. I was invited to attend the next AGM which I duly did and have been on the board of trustees ever since. I am very proud to support Ange, her family and of course ELY which is the most amazing charity to be a part of.

Nigel Wood

Chair/Trustee

Born Herefordshire 1962. Engineer and Photographer, usually found at ELY events assisting and taking photos.

Diana Wood

Director/Trustee

Born Worcestershire 1957. Retired from retail, usually found at ELY events and at road safety events and presentations.

Steve Jay

Trustee

Joined ELY 14 years ago at request of my wife’s niece Keira. Objective, to organise event / events to raise valuable funds for the Charity.

Organised successful Cycle Challenges in Forest of Dean in 2011 / 2012, monies raised were generously matched funded by my employer Amey. These events were followed by ELY 100 mile weekend cycle challenges in 2013, 2014 and 2015, hard work but great fun and supported by my new employer Balfour Beatty. In 2016 organised the ELY Cycle Sportive 1 day event which was well supported and continued up until 2023, again well supported by Balfour.

In 2012 organised The Ely Music Festival at Wyeside, a lovely day with 350 people attending but unfortunately expensive to set up and circa 200 + hours to organise, Lesson learnt!

Some 5 years ago Ange and I approached Hereford and Ludlow College to use their car park for the Young Drivers Experience, YDE. They agreed to let us trial the event and it is now a successful annual event with assistance from many ELY Trustees for the 4-day event in July.

Now in my 70th year and close to retirement, I am looking forward to spending more quality time with my wife Steph travelling in the UK and further afield but will endeavour to be available for the 4-day YDE Event each year.

Proud to be part of a great Team.

Lee Bayley

Trustee

I'm Lee Bayley, mum of 2 wonderful children so have many skills on a personal level but on a professional output I've been lucky enough to serve 10 years in the military, worked the charity sector and now work in strategic housing for the Local Authority.  Each job has been rewarding in many ways. One highlight from my charity work in the community was attending Westminster Abbey Christmas service due to my local commitment supporting veterans.  It's a pleasure to work with such a wonderful team ❤️ and hope to bring and help the charity with my transferable skills and love for Herefordshire and its community.

Steve Tyler

Trustee

Husband to Ange Tyler and stepdad to the late Emma Louise Young.   I became a Trustee when Emma’s Charity was set up in August 2012 to support Ange through this tragic time in our lives.   The Charity is very important for families in Herefordshire so we can provide financial support when needed.   I have worked in the Construction Industry all my working life and I am now enjoying part-time hours to have more time with the Charity and family.

Joyce Higgins

Trustee

Mum to Ange Tyler and trustee of ELY since August 2012.   I am a retired widow after my husband died in December 2008.  Life was difficult, but when my granddaughter tragically died 30th September 2010, I have never felt such pain. This was a traumatic time for the family, especially watching my eldest daughter so broken with grief losing her only daughter.    I am very proud to be part of my granddaughter’s charity. Whilst I can’t always help with day-to-day activities, my role is to create beautiful raffle prizes and decorate venues we hire.

Marie Watkin

Secretary

Sister to Ange and trustee of ELY since August 2012.  Mum to one son of 13 years.  A former air hostess of 20 years, retiring after the birth of my son.  I retrained as a Senior Registrar for local government.  

The loss of Emma on the 30th of September 2010 was traumatic for the family.  Forming the Charity in memory of Emma gave us a purpose, not only to keep Emma’s memory alive, but to help families who too suffered the same loss as we did.  I love to create themes for our fundraising events, especially our bi-annual charity ball, this is one of the main events we hold to say thank you to our supports and more importantly remember my niece who is dearly missed every day.