The Church of Scotland

Scottish Episcopal Church

Rev John Webster

In December 1964, I arrived in Kalimpong, India, together with my wife Jennifer and two very young sons. As a minister in the Church of Scotland with a BSc in Agriculture, I had been invited to become Chaplain and Farm Manager of Dr Graham’s Homes. Eight wonderful, challenging and fulfilling years followed. The children there were delightful, and the Nepali farm workers dedicated. Since returning in 1973, I haven't forgotten either. Since then, I have spent the past 40 years or so serving on the Dr Graham’s Homes UK Committee in various capacities. I have also devoted much of my time to fundraising in support of the Homes.

James ('Jim') N Gibson

I am a retired Chartered Accountant specialising in charities, with practical experience in charity governance, accounting, stewardship and strategic management. I was introduced to Dr Graham’s Homes by my wife, Maida, who has sponsored children at the Homes for over 40 years. I served as Treasurer of DGHUK between 2012 and 2023, a role which I handed over to the new Treasurer when I was appointed Chairman in that year. I also served on the Governance Working Group, which managed the charity’s transition to a company limited by guarantee. I have visited the Homes on three occasions. In my spare time, I enjoy hillwalking, learning other languages and travelling.

Pat Lomax

My first introduction to the Homes was many years ago when I saw an old cine film about them. Over the years they seemed to come up from time to time and, in 2010, I had the opportunity to visit. Then in 2023, with the distinct feeling I was meant to go back, I paid two more visits, staying over five weeks the second time. I enjoyed being there for the 123rd Birthday celebrations and was also able to run a few pottery workshops in clay, both for the children and some teachers. Now, as a trustee, I hope to be able to contribute usefully in different ways.

Gordon Coupar

In May 2023, I accepted an invitation to join the board of Dr Graham’s Homes as Treasurer. As a chartered accountant recently retired from private practice and with many years of experience working with charities and not-for-profit organisations, I believe I have the skills required to serve our charity in this role.

Although not aware of DGHUK before being approached, my attendance at this year’s AGM confirmed the good work of which I had read and heard. Unlike many of the trustees, I have not yet had the privilege of visiting Kalimpong - something I would hope to rectify in the near future in order to deepen my understanding of the charity’s work.

Ian Russell

As a trustee of DGHUK, I bring to my role considerable experience of working within the not-for-profit sector, both through my time as Operations Manager of a large charity for homeless and vulnerable people, as well as several years spent chairing a charity supporting Christian artists in the UK. My career, within education and through other roles, has involved developing policies and ensuring compliance with Health and Safety guidelines, Human Resources legislation and Charity law. I have also volunteered for, and been on the managing committees of, a variety of Christian community support groups, maintaining direct involvement with some of these to this day. (See below for my bio.)

Peter Cook

I recently retired from the British Diplomatic Service after a long career representing the UK government overseas in countries as diverse as Turkey, Denmark, Qatar, Barbados and the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York. My most recent appointment was as British Deputy High Commissioner in India, based in Gujarat and Rajasthan and, latterly, in Kolkata. I was born in the same city back in 1963 at Woodlands Hospital, when my father was Minister at St Andrew's Church in BBD Bagh (Dalhousie Square, back then). I have had a lifelong association with Kolkata, Bengal and especially Dr Graham’s Homes. I first visited the Homes with my parents in 1965 when I was just two - and was most recently a visitor there in 2022.

Amanda Grant

I am the great, great granddaughter of Dr Graham. I grew up surrounded by DGHUK leaflets and Christmas cards, as my mother, Wendy Grant, was on the UK Committee for several years, and was a major fundraiser for the charity. Sadly, I didn't visit the Homes with my mother. But, after she died, I did have the privilege of taking some of her ashes to be buried in the school's Memorial Garden, and was then asked to return to give a talk about Katherine Graham (Dr Graham's wife) at the May Celebrations in 2020. I have recently decided to step back from my full-time work in London to have more time to travel and to serve the Homes and the children within it.

Frances Dent

I have been interested in Dr Graham’s Homes for about 25 years. My initial contact was through our Guild (Church of Scotland in Dundee), which has supported the Homes since its inception. Now retired from working as a doctor, I was able to visit the Homes in 2017 with my husband John as part of a trip to Kolkata, Kathmandu and Kalimpong (The 3Ks Tour). I was very impressed with what I saw and returned to Kalimpong over the following two years. I became a trustee in 2018 and am keen to do whatever I can to support the work and ethos of the Homes.

Frank Dunn

My first visit to the Homes was in 2006 and I was immediately hooked. The joy, energy and enthusiasm of all those young voices praising God at morning worship in the chapel made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end; unforgettable. I have been back another five times since then and am never disappointed. I became involved in sponsoring and fundraising for DGH in 2007. Since then I’ve completed four cycling challenges in India, a solo Lands’ End to John O'Groats cycle trip and several local church sales. I was elected a trustee in 2017 and was privileged to chair the Governance Group from its inception in 2019.

Aileen Fraser

I first heard about Dr Graham’s Homes after former DGH staff member John Webster became my minister here in Troon in 1973. Since then I have been, and still am, a supporter, awareness-raiser, sponsor, fundraiser, and very frequent visitor to the Homes (through the 3Ks tours). Since 2008, I have also served as a member and Vice Chair of the UK Committee. At present I am a member of two sub-groups of the Committee, have much pleasure in supporting two pupils at the Homes and enjoy organising fundraising events with my local supporters’ group, Troon Friends of Kalimpong. I have also made many good friends through DGH.

Shona Hume

I was introduced to Dr Graham’s Homes on my first 3Ks Tour in 2007, led by former staff member Rev John Webster. On my return home to the Isle of Arran, I became involved with our local supporters’ group, Arran Friends of Kalimpong, which helps to raise funds for the Homes. Since 2007 I have returned to Kalimpong a further five times, the last visit being in 2019, so it's safe to say I have been captivated by the whole ethos of the Homes. From these visits my involvement has grown, and I am now on the UK committee for Dr Graham’s Homes.

Michael Jefferson

I am the great, great grandson of Dr Graham, and became a trustee of the charity in late 2021. I am based in London and work for a major tech company. I have previously worked in the civil service on trade issues and spent six months working at the High Commission in Sri Lanka. More recently I have worked in the City for financial services firms. I am lucky enough to have visited Kalimpong twice - once for the centenary anniversary in 2000, and more recently in 2015. As a trustee, I will support the work of the Homes to provide for children in need.

Esther Anne Pears

Dr Graham's Homes was my first home and has been integral to me and my family, for my whole life. My father, George McCabe, was the farm estate manager of Dr Graham’s Homes in the 1950s. My elder brother, Alistair, was born in Kalimpong and I was born in Darjeeling. I have recently retired from a wonderful career in nursing; caring for people in need has always been at the core of my life's work. As a trustee, I enjoy working with colleagues with a shared heart and vision for Dr Graham’s Homes.

Patricia Simpson

After an initial career as a senior teacher of Physical Education, Pat joined the lecturing staff at Jordanhill College of Education, Glasgow. After a break to have her family, Pat then qualified in Special Educational Needs, thereafter spending over 20 years at East Park Home School in Glasgow. As a DGH Trustee, she has visited the Homes well over a dozen times, and from living and working on campus for several months, is well-known to teaching and cottage staff who value her support. She has sponsored a number of college students over the years, and remains in touch with many who have long-since left the Homes.

James TF Simpson

A chartered civil engineer, Jim’s first visit to The Homes in 2008 led to his appointment as DGHUK’s Sponsorship Secretary. He continued in that role until 2018, during which time he also spent four years as both UK Chairman and Sponsorship Member of the Kolkata Board. He provided on-the-spot structural engineering advice to the Homes throughout the 2011 earthquake. His family has had a long-standing, albeit dormant, connection with the Homes since its very foundation. Over recent years, Jim is grateful to have had the opportunity to translate that connection into practical support for the charity.

Ian and Anji Russell

Anji

I have always worked within the sphere of education, firstly as a teacher and then as a headteacher in the UK, China and South Korea. I currently work part time as a school inspector. Helping to improve the lives of young children has always been an important part of my work. I have been Joint Sponsorship Secretary of DGHUK with Ian since May 2020. Our shared value of caring for those in need is a very important aspect for us both in this role. Our work with Dr Graham’s Homes enables us to care for the children at the school, the students in further education or training, as well as the supporters.

Ian

After a lifetime in education, latterly as a primary headteacher, I retired early in 2006 and took up a post with Anji, as principal in an international school in China. Upon our return from Asia, I changed careers and became Operations Manager, first of a charity, then of our daughter’s business in Surrey. Another career change has found us working together as Joint Sponsorship Secretaries for Dr Graham’s Homes. It has been a challenging yet rewarding journey so far, and I particularly enjoy my key role in working with, and closely supporting, our sponsored students while they attend higher education.

Rev Caroline Taylor

My journey to ministry in the Church of Scotland probably began in childhood – I attended two great schools and a wonderful church in Kilmarnock. Education and faith have opened doors for me, and now I hope for the same for the little girl I sponsor, whom I hope to meet before she reaches her teenage years. As a long-time supporter of Christian Aid, I have come to believe that schooling is the first step on the road out of poverty, and I’m delighted to offer my administrative skills to support DGHUK in their life-changing work.