Passionately

Our Trustees - The Beating Heart of Our Charity

The ELY Memorial Fund is guided by a dedicated team of trustees and board members who are committed to supporting bereaved families and promoting road safety for young drivers in Herefordshire. Led by the charity's manager, the team brings together personal experience, professional expertise, and a shared passion for making a meaningful difference in the community. Their combined efforts ensure the fund remains true to its mission—providing vital financial aid to families facing the sudden loss of a loved one and educating young people to prevent future tragedies.

Our Charity Manager and Trustees

The Charity Manager of The ELY Memorial Fund oversees day-to-day operations, fundraising initiatives and community outreach - ensuring the smooth running of the organisation and driving our impact across Herefordshire and beyond. Our board and trustees support our charity, their tireless work, selfless help and unwavering support are invaluable to us and without these fantastic people we wouldn’t be able to support families across Herefordshire.

Ange Tyler

Founder and 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, parking a long-term interest in road safety. I started working with ELY approximately 5 years ago. First as a trustee and for the last 2 years as a director.
Diana Wood

Director/Trustee
Born in Worcestershire in 1957. Retired from retail, usually found at ELY events and at road safety events and presentations.
Nigel and Di live in Herefordshire and became involved with ELY following the loss of their son Tom to a RTC, at the age of 19, in June 2014.
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 in Herefordshire in 1962. Engineer and Photographer, usually found at ELY events assisting and taking photos.
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.
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.
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.
Steve Jay

Trustee
I joined ELY 14 years ago at the request of my wife’s niece, Keira, with the goal of helping raise vital funds for the charity.
Over the years, I’ve organised several successful fundraising events — from the Forest of Dean Cycle Challenges in 2011–12 (match-funded by Amey) to the ELY 100-mile rides and Cycle Sportive events, all strongly supported by Balfour Beatty.
In 2012, I also ran The ELY Music Festival at Wyeside, which drew 350 attendees and taught me a few lessons about event planning!
Around five years ago, Ange and I worked with Hereford and Ludlow College to trial the Young Driver Experience — now a successful annual four-day event every July.
As I approach retirement, I look forward to more time with my wife Steph and to continuing my involvement with ELY, especially supporting the YDE each year. Proud to be part of such a great team.
Abbie Brooks

Trustee
I’m Abbie, a trustee at ELY Memorial Fund. Following the death of my 19 year old sister, Molly, in 2022, Ange and the ELY team donated £3,000 towards the funeral costs due to the circumstances in which she was killed.
I knew from the moment I met Ange that she was such a special person and I became inspired by her passion to keep Emma's name ongoing and ease the practical difficulties that come with losing a loved one in a Road Traffic Collision.
In 2024, I was employed by another Charity, and Ange, Diana and myself formed a working relationship. Since then, I have joined the board of Trustees for ELY as a volunteer, alongside my full-time role at RoadPeace.
Whilst I would never wish to have needed the support of ELY, they really did lift a weight for my family and I am so honoured to be a trustee amongst the most wonderful, caring group of people.