Our Team

Walter is Jak’s proud Grandad and is honoured to carry out his wishes through Team Jak. He has been on the board of trustees since 2015 and Chair for eight years. His role, apart from Grandad, is to ensure our charity is compliant and meets the needs of our families along with helping with fundraising and awareness.

‘It is a huge privilege to have carried out my grandson Jak’s wishes and to continue to support hundreds of young people and their families throughout Scotland through Team Jak. I hope in 50 years’ time Team Jak is still helping create smiles for childhood cancer.’

Johnnie first got involved in 2019 when he hosted a Team Jak fundraising event at his home. He joined the board of trustees in 2019 and subsequently took on the role of Treasurer. He works alongside the Senior Leadership Team who manage Team Jak on a day-to-day basis.

‘Team Jak Foundation is an amazing charity which provides outstanding support to children with cancer. I am delighted to be part of this amazing charity,  helping ensure it continues to grow and deliver our outstanding service to even more children who unfortunately are going through the cancer journey.’

Chris was first introduced to Team Jak when mentoring Allison Barr in her CEO role as part of the Lloyds Foundation mentoring programme. After many successful mentoring sessions, he was delighted to accept the role of Secretary and has been on the Board of Trustees since 2024.

‘I have learnt so much in such a short space of time regarding the fantastic and inspiring work by this cancer charity and it is a huge privilege to have been elected to its board and be able to lend my support where I can.’

Caitlin worked as the family support co-ordinator in Aberdeen from 2017 to 2022 during university. After graduating, she moved back to Glasgow and enjoyed volunteering. In 2024, she was delighted to be asked to join Team Jak’s board of trustees and now uses her experience as a voice for staff, families — and Aberdeen.

‘It has been a privilege to get to know and support families who allowed me into their lives at such difficult times. They have inspired me to continue to help expand the charity and — in line with Jak’s wishes — create memories, smiles, connections and safe spaces across Scotland.’

Lesley was one of Jak’s doctors on Ward 2 at the former sick kids’ hospital and  became a trustee in summer 2024. She aims to help guide the activities of Jak’s Den, to support the amazing legacy that Jak and Allison Barr have already created, and to inspire some new ideas that allow these families small moments of escape and glimmers of light.

‘Having been a paediatric oncologist for 20 years, I think that I have a unique understanding of the in-hospital needs of children with cancer and their families. In my role as trustee, I hope to contribute back to a cause that I care about so deeply.’

Heather has been part of the Team Jak journey since the beginning as a member of Jak’s family and began by helping provide supervision to some of the charity’s staff. She joined the board of trustees in spring 2025 and looks forward to becoming even more involved as time goes on.

‘I am honoured to be a Team Jak trustee. As a member of Jak’s extended family, I hope to maintain a link to his wishes for the charity and blend this with my professional experience of working in the voluntary sector for many years.’

Liam has been involved with Team Jak since 2019 when he began managing and updating the website. Since then, he’s helped introduce new equipment and updated processes and now handles all things IT — hardware, software, CRM, and security. 

‘I’m so proud to be part of Team Jak — it’s honestly amazing to be involved with such a caring charity that brings real support and smiles to young people and their families. It means a lot to be able to make a difference together.’

Allison founded Team Jak with her inspirational son Jak and daughter Aimie in 2015. She was a primary teacher and Principal of Star Harmonies Musical Theatre School when she took on the role of Chief Executive to achieve Jak’s wishes. She strives to ensure Jak’s dreams are at the core of everything Team Jak does in order to create smiles and ease the journey for our inspirational young people.

‘It is my honour and privilege to continue the wishes of my beautiful boy, helping others find hope on this crazy childhood cancer journey. I am one very proud Mumma.’

Colette has been with Team Jak since 2021 and leads the Children & Young Person’s Team to deliver the Family programme. She is based in Glasgow on Tuesdays for visits to Glasgow Royal Hospital for Children and to run pop-up sessions for parents and families. She works in schools on Wednesday, and the rest of her working week is spent at the Livingston Jak’s Den hosting focussed sessions from 1-2-1s to full-on parties and fun days. 

‘I love a bit of craft and can definitely be a bit daft! I love to spend time supporting families — on good days and bad.’

Chloe joined the team in autumn 2024, and provides support to children and young people in a role that includes visiting children’s wards in Glasgow and Edinburgh and offering emotional support. She runs a pre-school session for young children, and organises a lunch club at the Livingston Jak’s Den, supports Team Jak’s schools outreach programme, and hosts pop-up dens in Glasgow.  

‘I feel privileged to support our families and to be part of Jak’s inspiring vision. It’s been incredibly rewarding to work at Team Jak and to watch it grow, reaching more families with the support they need.’

Aimee joined the team in autumn 2024. Through her wellbeing role, she registers and welcomes families when they first join and arranges counselling and music therapy sessions. She co-ordinates birthday and angelversary cards, gifts, and messages, and works in schools for Team Jak’s outreach programme. She spends time with families at a mix of sessions at Jak’s Den, Livingston, and also does some tutoring.

‘I am honoured to be part of this amazing team, creating smiles and easing the journey! I love meeting the families and supporting them in whatever way I can.’

Son supports Team Jak’s Angel families, those who have lost a beloved child to cancer. She hosts monthly Angel coffee mornings and spends the first Sunday afternoon of every month supporting these families at Team Jak’s Family Day. She was part of the team that  organised the first Angel Retreat weekend.

Rachel joined Team Jak In 2023 as a play/support worker, and now helps run a range of sessions for children, young people, and families at the Livingston Jak’s Den. She also visits Lochranza Ward at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People once a week.

‘It’s such an honour to be a part of this team and I am so happy to be a part of the Team Jak family. I love getting to meet all the amazing and inspiring children and young people.’

Tiffeny has been with Team Jak since 2022, just before the fabulous Aberdeen Jak’s Den opened. She now runs the Aberdeen Den, visits our inspirational families on the ward in Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, and plans and facilitates an exciting timetable featuring around 30 events a month.

‘Jak’s Den Aberdeen is more than just a place to come for support, it’s a family you join for ups and downs and support along the way. Our tagline is “Creating Smiles, Easing the Journey” and if I leave work each day having brought a smile to one of our families, it’s the most worthwhile thing I could do.’

Emma has worked with Team Jak officially since summer 2024 after an internship through the University of Aberdeen. She spends most of her time within the Aberdeen Jak’s Den co-ordinating fun activities and chatting to all the young people and their families. 

‘It has been an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience to be trusted and welcomed into the Team Jak family. I am truly honoured to be part of a community that demonstrates such strength and unity, and open arms to each other. Witnessing the perseverance and courage our families show in the face of adversity continues to inspire me every day.’

Happiness hound and Team Jak mascot TJ is often on hand to help create smiles at our events, both those we organise ourselves and at key fundraisers like Kiltwalk. TJ regularly pops in to Jak’s Dens, and can also be found visiting the children’s wards in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.

‘Woof, woof.’

Adam joined Team Jak in 2025 as part of the Finance Team where his main focus is on processing purchase and sale invoices, updating spreadsheets and finance information, reconciling daily bank transactions, and preparing weekly payment run reports, along with other requested reports.

‘Team Jak Foundation are an amazing charity who provide great support to children with cancer. I am very proud to be part of this amazing support and I’m learning more every day about how Team Jak’s services are delivered.’

Chris joined Team Jak in autumn 2023 as a Children and Families Practitioner. When her own daughter became extremely sick, Team Jak allowed her to instead fall back on previous skills within design and marketing so she could more easily care for her child. She now helps look after the Team Jak brand and wellbeing programme materials.

‘I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of Team Jak. Its vision and mission is something I deeply believe in, and doing my part to help realise these, for so many children and families, is highly rewarding.’

Margaret  joined Team Jak as Fundraising Administrator in 2021,  having previously been a volunteer.  She supports fundraising events in the community and schools with their Youth Philanthropy Initiative projects, monitors donations and issues thank-you letters/certificates. She also works with corporates to support Day to Make a Difference volunteer days in Jak’s Den Livingston.

‘I am proud to be a member of the Team Jak Fundraising Team. Knowing that the funds I generate make a real difference to the support we can provide to families at what is a very difficult time in their lives makes it all worthwhile.’

After Neil’s wife began following Jak’s story on Facebook, Neil visited him in hospital. They instantly connected and chatted non-stop about their mutual love for football, goalkeeping, and Jak’s beloved Rangers. Neil visited Jak several times and they became close, regularly texting towards the end of Jak’s journey. Before Jak died, he asked Neil to become a patron of Team Jak and it’s an honour to have him as Honorary Patron.

Laura Boyd is an entertainment reporter and presenter for STV, co-hosting What’s on Scotland with Emma Cameron. She is also an events and podcast host, lending her voice to causes close to her heart. Having been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia herself in 2009, she has since supported many cancer charities, hosting and promoting their events to raise awareness and funds.

‘It’s an honour to be a patron of a charity which does so much incredible work for families and children living with a cancer diagnosis. I am in awe of what Allison and her team have achieved in Jak’s memory and how many people Team Jak has supported through their darkest times.’

Granma Ish has been involved in many aspects of Team Jak since our creation, including most recently sending out birthday and angelversary cards to our families. She has been an integral part of Team Jak and will always be hugely special to us as Jak’s Granma.

‘It is a huge honour and privilege for me as Jak’s Granma to be involved in Team Jak in many different ways. It’s been lovely to see the charity grow and carry out his dreams while knowing I am making a wee difference.’

Aimie is Jak’s sister and has been instrumental in setting up Team Jak. She was Creative Co-ordinator for a couple of years before becoming a primary teacher and is now Creative Ambassador. She helps with some of our more creative events, and also chooses the theme of Jak’s Ball each year.

Susan has volunteered at Team Jak since 2015 in a wide range of roles, from fundraising to administration and kitchen duties but mostly just making a cuppa and lending a friendly ear to whoever needs it. 

‘Although life is busy, taking time out at Team Jak can help remind you what is more important. Seeing how brave and resilient the children and their families are, it’s an honour to think I can support them even just a little in their journeys.’

David McGechie is a Lifetime Ambassador for Team Jak, having served as trustee and treasurer for four years. He played a key collaborative role in the development and opening of Jak’s Den Mark 2 in Livingston in 2019, and continues to champion the charity’s mission through volunteering, advocacy, and support.

‘Being an ambassador for Team Jak is an honour and a privilege. It means helping carry forward Jak’s incredible legacy — creating smiles and easing the journey. It’s about being part of a community that brings light into the darkest moments, and I’m proud to play even a small part in that journey.’

Mark has supported Team Jak from day one. He is a friendly and familiar voice from radio, having spent 16 years with Forth 1 and now hosting weekdays on Edge 2. He has covered major events such as the MTV EMAs as well as presenting shows such as Girls Aloud and The Moonwalk.

‘I’m an extremely proud Team Jak ambassador, inspired by its mission to bring light, joy and support to families facing cancer. I want to show passion for this amazing charity and shine for them when hosting events.’  

Russell has been involved with Team Jak since day one, brainstorming how to translate his cousin Jak’s vision into reality. He spent the first five years as a trustee and after that was then invited to become a Lifetime Ambassador.  

‘Jak was my cousin, a young inspiration and someone I was proud of every day.  After his passing, I was keen to be able to assist in delivering his vision. Team Jak will always be close to my heart and I enjoy continuing to realise Jak’s dreams with our amazing staff and volunteers.’

Graduating in 2006 from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Anna has worked as a music therapist in palliative and bereavement care ever since. She met Allison Barr in 2015 and — together with the charity Jessie’s Fund — they established a music therapy service at the original Livingston Jak’s Den that continues to flourish across multiple locations.

‘Having left the charity in 2019, I was honoured that Allison asked me to be the Music Therapy Ambassador.  I am proud to see how the music therapy service has grown over the years and how it remains core to the Team Jak Foundation.’ 

Morwenna is a family friend and kindly agreed to become a Team Jak ambassador when we opened our upgraded Livingston Jak’s Den in 2019. She is the voice of Peppa Pig’s Mummy Pig and arranged for a personalised animation to be created for the Den opening along with a Peppa guest appearance.

Ellie won BBC1’s Greatest Dancer in 2019, and has also danced at several Team Jak events. She attended the same school as Jak and as a result of that connection kindly agreed to become an ambassador.