Meet the CF Comfort Fund Team

Kate worked as a CF Specialist Physiotherapist at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, retiring from the NHS in 2021. Kate has 30 years experience as a CF Physio and has been a trustee for 8 years.

Mary is retired Personal Assistant to the Head of a large Comprehensive School in North Somerset. Mary became a Trustee of the Comfort Fund in 2004, after her son-in-law, who took part in the Bristol Half Marathon to raise money for the Comfort Fund, discovered that the charity was in need of a new trustee. Mary has one daughter, Helen, now aged 43 who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was 9 months old. Despite her health problems, Helen has been able to give Mary two lovely grandsons now aged 15 and 11.

Kathy is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children with 30 years CF experience. Kathy has been a trustee for 8 years.

Kathy Badlan qualified as a Physiotherapist in 1975. She joined the staff of Bristol Children’s Hospital in 1976, where she had a special interest in Cystic Fibrosis. In 1991 she moved into physiotherapy education at the University of the West of England. In 1993 she was one of the founding Trustees of the Cystic Fibrosis Comfort Fund, which was initially established to provide treats for children and adolescents admitted to hospital for prolonged periods of intravenous therapy. In 2004 she completed an MPhil. Exploring the experiences of young adults living with CF. Whilst at UWE she collaborated with the CF Team at Bristol to run a Cystic Fibrosis course.

Jane has been a trustee for a Comfort Fund since January 2019. During her professional career as a Social Worker, she worked in both Bristol Paediatric and Adult CF teams for over 10 years. This was a new post in both teams and was initially funded by a grant from the CF Comfort Fund as they recognised the need for Social work support for CF patients and their families. Jane worked closely with CF patients and their families to help them access financial assistance with grant applications including those to the CF Comfort fund to support their specific needs.

Laura is a Chartered Internal Auditor, with a thorough understanding of control, governance and risk management, gained through a number of years experience in a variety of public sector organisations, including the charity sector. Laura has personal experience in caring for someone with Cystic Fibrosis and the challenges faced by the adult CF community.

My initial involvement with the Comfort Fund was after the sad loss of my close friend Sam "Syd" Brimson, I wanted his memory to live on and help to raise funds for the Comfort Fund who done lots for Sam himself growing up. From charity football matches, to a solo cycle ride from Manchester to Bristol, online auctions, and sales of #footywatch merchandise I’ve been able to continue donating funds, which has enabled me to receive the honour of charity ambassador. I look forward to continuing my support for such a special cause in memory of my great friend and all others dealing with Cystic Fibrosis.

Katie is a CF Specialist Dietitian at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and has 10 years of CF experience, whilst working for the NHS for 16 years. Becoming a trustee of the CF comfort fund in January 2023.