Today is the start of Trustees Week 2022. The theme this year is making a difference in changing times.

Over the coming week, we’ll introduce you to three of our trustees that are making a difference to our charity. We begin with David Rowney.

Introduction

Hi, I’m David Rowney and am proud and excited to have become the most recent Trustee for It’s good 2 give.

I grew up in Belfast and studied medicine at Edinburgh University in the 1980s. For the last 20 years I’ve been a consultant at the Sick Kids hospital in Edinburgh specialising in paediatric anaesthesia and intensive care medicine. I have been fortunate to be part of an amazing multidisciplinary team and have found caring for children and their families extremely rewarding.

I am married to Fiona, who is an enthusiastic fundraiser for It’s good 2 give and have three children whom I’m immensely proud of; Lewis and Hannah both recently graduated university and are starting to make their way in the world, and Francesca, who has the uncanny knack of keeping me grounded, and is currently studying for her Nat 5 prelims at the Royal High School in Edinburgh. My main hobbies are rugby, supporting Edinburgh Accies as their Club Doctor, cycling, although I’ve now resorted to riding an e-bike, and supporting my wife and kids in all their endeavours.

How did you hear about It’s Good 2 Give

I became aware of It’s good 2 give six years ago through friends who are volunteers. Since then, I have enjoyed attending fundraising social events and have supported fund raising by taking part in the Kiltwalk.

Why you were interested in becoming a Trustee

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Lynne and hearing about It’s good 2 give and her vision for the charity. Lynne’s description of the charity being both patient and family focused is particularly important to me and is central to my work at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

I believe that supporting It’s good 2 give will be immensely rewarding. I will shortly be retiring from my NHS consultant post and will be able to divert time and energy to the Charity.

When did you became a Trustee

7th October 2022

What the first few weeks have been like?

The first few weeks have been a steep learning curve. Lynne and I agreed that I should set out to learn as much as possible about every aspect of the charity and in particular the Ripple Retreat. I have been blown away by the passion of the staff and volunteers that keep it running so smoothly and the huge amount of day-to-day work and complexity involved in providing this amazing experience for the visiting families.

It’s been eye-opening to discover how much time and energy that Lynne and the team devote to developing the volunteers, particularly the amazing young ambassadors.

In view of my links with Edinburgh Rugby through my rugby medical role, I’m also assisting Michelle Markham, Events Coordinator, with the planning of our exciting charity partnership with them. I’m starting to learn what it takes to develop such a partnership between a charity and a commercial organisation. I hope it will spread knowledge of the work of the Charity to a new audience.

What skills you feel you’ll be bringing to the charity?

I am hardworking, a task completer, and a people person who loves working in a team environment. I believe that I will be an enthusiastic and effective Trustee, my experience, skill set and willingness to develop in the role will allow me to contribute in a variety of ways which will be extremely rewarding.

What you’re looking forward to over the coming months for the charity/your role?

Over the next few months, I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know as many of the IG2G family as possible and discovering the magic of this special charity. I’m also looking forward to developing a successful and mutually beneficial charity partnership with Edinburgh Rugby.