Meet our Patrons
Jane Kelly (Founder Patron and former Trustee)
Jane has been involved with The Mulberry Centre from the beginning and launched the appeal for funds to build the Centre. She is its Founder Patron and a former Chair of the Trustees.
Following a career in law and general management, Jane has run her own management consultancy alongside a portfolio of non-executive and trustee roles for over twenty years. Her experience includes Director, AMI Healthcare Group plc, Chair, West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust; Chair, North West London Strategic Health Authority and Commissioner, Appointments Commission.
She is a Pro-Chancellor of Brunel University London who awarded her an Honorary Doctorate in 2018 in recognition of her contributions to public service and to the University. She was Chair of the Council of the University from 2011 to 2017. She also sits on a Department of Health advisory committee.
‘The Mulberry Centre was one of the very first cancer information and support centres. It is hard now to imagine a world without it. Designed as a private welcoming place for local people, we have always welcomed anyone who seeks our help. It is a privilege and a joy to continue to be involved.’
Colonel Jane Davis OBE QVRM TD DL
I am honoured and delighted to have become a patron of The Mulberry Centre.
My connection goes back to the very start of the conception of the centre on the West Middlesex site in the mid-1990s, when I was a Senior Nurse at West Middlesex and had two people very involved with its development who I am sure many of you know, Jane Kelly and Grace Gibbs, who were my bosses.
Over 20 years ago with others I climbed Ben Nevis to raise money for the Centre. Although Jane, Grace and I have remained in contact from a distance over the years we reconnected in person when I was delighted to have been present at Westminster Abbey in my role as the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Greater London at the presentation of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service for The Mulberry Centre, such a well-deserved accolade.
I was privileged to be asked to be Patron and thrilled to accept and The Mulberry Centre is the first organisation for which I am a patron, so makes it very special indeed.
I look forward to supporting you in any way I can over the coming years.
Mohinder Dosanjh (Chair & Founder of Trinjan)
Mohinder is proud to be a Patron for The Mulberry Centre since 2006. A relationship that she has developed over her 18 years as Chair and Founder of Trinjan, a women’s social & community group based in the Borough of Hounslow.
In 2003 Mohinder was diagnosed with breast cancer and was getting support from Haven London. It was there that a breast cancer care nurse told her about The Mulberry Centre in West London.
“It was such a difficult time for me and my family. I can say, from my first visit, my daughter and I felt the immediate warmth and comfort of the Centre and staff. They really looked after me throughout this difficult time, but also supported my daughters who were very emotional and worried.”
Mohinder found through sharing her experience of breast cancer, that lots of women – especially those from South Asian backgrounds – never discussed breast cancer or such issues openly and dealt with their illness in isolation. It was this, and a desire to support The Mulberry Centre which inspired her to establish Trinjan in 2004 with the support of her family and close friends. They began promoting The Mulberry Centre’s services by holding monthly meetings at the Centre itself. Since then, Trinjan has held numerous activities to raise money. Trinjan received the GSK Local Health award in 2006 for their efforts to raise awareness of cancer. The Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award was given to them in June 2020 in recognition of their community service throughout the pandemic.
Mohinder understands first-hand what The Mulberry Centre means to anyone who is affected by cancer. This is her driving force: to continue supporting the Centre by fundraising and raising awareness, particularly amongst Asian women.
Paul Kennerley RD DL
When The Mulberry Centre was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, I visited the Centre as the Deputy Lieutenant for Hounslow and was immediately enthused. Everyone I met was so friendly and I knew I was in a place fulfilling so much and providing such support and care in the community.
I come from South Yorkshire, worked as a Chartered Surveyor in the City of London for 45 years and was the Deputy Lieutenant of Hounslow for seven years. I was a member of the Reserve Forces for 35 years. I enjoy ocean sailing, choral music and international affairs.
I look forward to supporting you.