Senior Team
Helen Blythe
Benedict's Mother
The greatest lessons I learnt about myself and the world, I learnt through becoming Benedict’s mummy. He was kind, intelligent, empathic, sociable, funny and the most beautiful soul I’d ever come across. He will always by my baby boy. The best days for him were his ‘flexi days’, where he got to fulfil his love for learning and academic challenge through fun experiences out in the world.
I bring to his foundation 12 years experience in corporate learning, education and transformation and senior leadership, as well as a desire to bring similar pleasure in learning to children. We weren’t able to enjoy many more years with Benedict, but he lived a full and happy life and we’d like to support children in the areas he loved, and to keep them safe in schools so that they can live their precious lives without fear.
Pete Blythe
Benedict's Father
Finding out I was having a son was one of the best moments of my life, and I strove to teach him all the important lessons in life. I was lucky to spend so much of his life with him, and I am grateful for every minute and every memory.
I bring 22 years of logistics experience from the RAF to the foundation, having worked across the world and difficult situations. Diagnosed with Dyslexia in my 30s, I’m also passionate about finding ways for children to have positive opportunities to learn in different ways so that they have a more positive relationship with learning than I did. Benedict taught me how fun maths could be, something I wouldn’t have believed could be true. I’d like others to be able to realise that too, before it’s too late.
Stacie Coburn
Benedict was a ray of light and I looked forward to every time I saw him. It’s unbearable he’s no longer a part of our lives, but I’m proud to be able to take forward the things that mattered to him and make a difference to other children.
Working in senior operations roles in the NHS for 15 years, I bring a strong focus on performance, impact and quality. Leading acute NHS trusts and overseeing the operations of 5 hospitals, I’m particularly passionate about ensuring the safety of children with allergies and asthma – allowing them to learn without worry.
Ben Dalgliesh
Being asked to be a trustee of the Benedict Blythe Foundation is a honour and privilege as his godfather. Benedict showed me the true meaning of happiness as a child and through his foundation I want to see his energy, love for life, love for learning and love for those around him live on.
In the last 12 years as an HR professional it has been my role to ensure I give everyone the best opportunity to be successful. I want to use this experience to influence and build Benedict’s Foundation knowing children & parents will be smiling somewhere in the world. As a trustee of the Benedict Blythe Foundation I look forward to being able support, guide and influence how we can give primary aged children the best possible start to their lives.
Rob Grace
I vividly remember the day I was asked to by Benedict's Godfather, it felt like such a privilege to be asked to be part of his life. Benedict was such a bright-light in the world and I relished the opportunity to spend time with him. Benedict had a curiosity to him and he was always taking in his surroundings, making sense of the world and he loved to learn. If we can light the same curiosity in other children through this work it will be a fitting tribute to a very beautiful soul who was taken too soon. I've made a career of working with children and young people, both as a teacher and as a play worker. I bring fifteen years of teaching, having worked as Head of Music in a selective grammar school to the Foundation, alongside experience in not-for-profits including organisations for children with severe disabilities and special educational needs.
Our Supporters
Benedict Blythe Foundation relies on a group of dedicated volunteers, all with different backgrounds and areas of knowledge. Alongside those, our supporters have kindly given their time and expertise to inform the setup, direction and project delivery. Their role as sounding board, critical friend and supporter is much appreciated.
Lyn Kendall
Lyn is Mensa's gifted child consultant, and has been committee member for the Mensa Foundation. She advised DfEE on the formation of its Gifted and Talented policy and is a consultant for the Channel 4 show Child Genius.
She works with schools and local authorities to improve support for children with different abilities. She also identified Benedict’s high IQ.
Camilla Gilmore
Centre for Early Maths Learning (CEML)
Professor Gilmore is Professor of Mathematical Cognition in the Department of Mathematics Education. She set up CEML, an £8million collaboration of 21 experts from seven institutions including Loughborough, who will carry out pioneering research focused on children’s early mathematics learning.
Tanya Laperouse
Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Tanya is the founder of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation along with her husband, Nadim. The charity was formed in memory of her daughter Natasha who died of fatal anaphylaxis in 2016. NARF funds research projects and raises awareness with a view to end allergic disease
Mike Garry
Celebrity Poet
Mike was a librarian for 15 years before becoming a poet. He has collaborated with New Order at Carnegie Hall, worked with Philip Glass and his ‘Ode to St Anthony’ accompanied by music reached Number 1 in the UK charts. He has worked in thousands of schools and his books are part of the curriculum across the UK. He’s worked with Manchester United and has toured for 12 years with John Cooper Clarke. He regularly works in prisons, mental health hospitals, children’s homes and youth clubs.
James Ashton
Oscar's Book Prize
James worked as a journalist for 20 years, as City Editor and Executive Editor at the Evening Standard and Independent titles and before that City Editor at the Sunday Times.
He now works as a consultant and as Founder of Oscar’s Book Prize, a British children's book prize awarded annually to a book for pre-school age children patronised by HRH Princess Beatrice and in memory of his three year old son, Oscar.
Adam Frost
TV Gardener and Garden Designer
Adam is a regular presenter on BBC TV show Gardeners World, he’s an award-winning garden designer having won 7 gold medals at Chelsea Flower Show.
He is an RHS Ambassador, published author and advocate for horticultural education and working on children-led charitable projects.
