Goodbyes are never easy, particularly when they involve people at the very heart of the DGHUK family! So it’s with sadness – but a huge amount of gratitude – that we say farewell to Joint Sponsorship Secretaries Ian and Anji Russell, who have announced their retirement after five years at the charity. Their final day will be on Saturday 17 May. The Russells joined Dr Graham’s Homes UK in May 2020, just as the COVID pandemic was forcing schools to close and take their teaching online. In the years since that time, they’ve helped to navigate the return to normal service, in the process building a very special relationship with our sponsored children and students, and our sponsors and supporters around the world. “It goes without saying that Ian and Anji have served us supremely well as Sponsorship Secretaries over the last five years and through some of the most turbulent challenges the school has had to face,” says DGHUK Chair Jim Gibson. “Coming to us from a strong educational background, Ian as a Head Teacher and Anji as a Head Teacher and Schools Inspector, they added a layer of professionalism, discipline, and empathy to the role, infused with a genuine compassion for the pupils and students whom DGHUK supports.” The Trustee team is planning a proper sendoff for Ian and Anji in due course – please stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, Jim has written a letter for friends and supporters, which you can read or download at the link below:

(Opens as a PDF)