Sara Garland Sara, mum to Daisy and Grace, is the founder and CEO of The Daisy Garland. She set the charity up six weeks after Daisy died. Expand Sara, mum to Daisy and Grace, is the founder and CEO of The Daisy Garland. Before returning to her roots in the west country, Sara, David and Daisy, lived in London where she worked in HR for Gucci for more years than she cares to admit! Sara lives and breathes The Daisy Garland, it is her passion. When she does take time off she enjoys relaxing at home with David and Grace, whipping up scrumptious cakes and working on the family allotment which is situated on the slopes of Totnes castle overlooking the River Dart. Sara is a keen walker and loves nothing more than an early morning stroll by the river with Flossie at her side. On her role as Founder and CEO, Sara said: I don’t enjoy the title CEO, I’m just Daisy’s mum, but I adore the work I do. For me it isn’t work, it’s a true pleasure. I understand what the families under our care go through daily, and I am glad that I’m able to help. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved in Daisy’s name and I derive an enormous amount of satisfaction from knowing that we are doing all we can to help children and young adults who suffer from the same destructive and debilitating condition as Daisy did. My philosophy in life is to make things better, and I think we do.
Karen Wyett Karen, Charity Manager, has been a pivotal member of The Daisy Garland team since October 2014. Expand Karen, Charity Manager, has been a pivotal member of The Daisy Garland team since October 2014. A graduate from the University of Roehampton in London, Karen previously worked for Refuge, and a NHS mental health project before finding her niche with The Daisy Garland. As Charity Manager, Karen oversees the charity’s night-time breathing monitor programme which brings her into daily contact with the families they support. Karen has extensive knowledge of IT systems so is responsible for technical updates and maintains the charity’s social network services. She also supports the charity’s fabulous fundraisers. In her spare time Karen enjoys cooking (her Viennese biscuits are a thing of pure joy) and home-crafts. Karen, her husband and two children enjoy long Dartmoor walks, body-boarding, camping and exploring the beautiful South Hams countryside. On her role as Charity Manager, Karen said: ‘’Working at The Daisy Garland is a huge privilege. Helping so many wonderful families who are coping with their child’s epilepsy is truly humbling. It is a pleasure to work with Sara and to be part of the whole wonderful Daisy Garland team. I’m incredibly proud of the work we do here.’’
Jean Taylor Jean joined The Daisy Garland in October 2015 as a part-time Family Support Assistant. Expand Jean trained as a primary school teacher although her career has been predominately in Administration and Training, working in both the public and private sectors in London and Plymouth. Jean worked for nineteen years in the Special Educational Needs department at Plymouth City Council, and for two years with Social Care and the Learning Disability Team in Dartington. Jean joined The Daisy Garland in October 2015 as a part-time Family Support Assistant. Jean jumps in wherever help is needed, be it writing thank you letters, ensuring a constant supply of monitor application forms or making up Daisy Garland Fundraising packs to send out… Jean is always ready with a helping hand. In her spare time, Jean and her husband enjoy travelling around Greece, and trying to tire out their lively cocker spaniel who at times has a mind of his own – so long walks in the South Hams countryside and on the glorious beaches is a good way to get rid of some of this energy. Jean enjoys swimming, reading and listening to music on her much-loved record player. Family life is very important to Jean and as her family are scattered around the country – getting away on visits is always great fun. On her role as Family Support Assistant, Jean said: ‘’I remember my first day at The Daisy Garland – it was the best ‘first day in a new job’ in my entire career. I was made to feel so welcome by both Karen and Sara and this has continued ever since. I have been extremely touched by the amazing support Sara and Karen give to our families, and by the families themselves for their courageous determination to make things work.’’
Nikki Coombes Nikki is the newest recruit to The Daisy Garland, starting in April 2019. Expand Nikki is the first point of contact at The Daisy Garland, where her cheery and caring manner provides help and reassurance at the other end of the phone. Nikki, who joins us from a service-based industry, enjoys nothing more than getting to grips with a tricky task, following through from A to Z - customer satisfaction is always at the top of her list. Nikki looks after our monitor families, takes great delight in making up our Daisy Ketogenic Welcome Boxes, looking after our Daisy Shop, and is always keen to roll up her sleeves when there's a large newsletter mail out. Nikki is also very active in organising our parent support groups and is responsible for keeping our charity resources well stocked and up to date. An enthusiastic fan of stand-up comedy, a cuppa and a Jaffa cake (and so say all of us) Nikki gives her post as Daisy Garland Family Support Assistant 10/10. Of her appointment Nikki said: ‘I love my job because it offers variety and it is extremely rewarding. I look forward to going to work every day! I feel lucky and proud to be part of a close-knit team that provides positive support and care for families in desperate situations. And Flossie, the office dog, is the icing on the cake.’ A keen weekend cyclist Nikki can often be found whizzing around the beautiful lanes surrounding her home in Brixham… sporting her favourite colour, pink! Nikki is a valued member of Team Daisy.
Flossie Puppy Flossie is a much-loved member of The Daisy Garland team. Expand Flossie was born in France and moved to Totnes when she was 6 months old, she is a much-loved member of The Daisy Garland team. Flossie’s favourite haunt is Vire Island, where she enjoys meeting her four-legged chums. Totnes is twinned with the French town of Vire, after which the peninsula on the River Dart is named. Flossie’s pastime activities include walking, chasing squirrels, endless ball games and chewing socks. When relaxing Flossie can always be found on her sheepskin rug with a tasty tripe treat! On her role as canine support for the Daisy Garland team, Flossie said: "Woof.’’