Who We Are

Our Patron

Lord Stone of Blackheath

Lord Stone was raised to the peerage as Baron Stone of Blackheath in 1997. He joined Marks and Spencer plc as a Trainee in 1966 and retired his position as joint Managing Director of the Company in 1999.

He is currently a Director of two retail companies, several NGOs and is involved in several charities, including the Anglo-Ecuadorian Society.

As Patron of Orphaids, he first visited the Ecuador site in February 2002, where he met the children and house parents. He has had hands-on experience of the day-to-day lives within this small community. He returned to Orphaids again in the autumn of 2002 with the British Ambassador, introducing the ambassador to the charity and it's people. His last visit was in February 2003, were he acted as a confidante and consultant to key workers within the organisation.

Our Trustees

Alan Digman is Chairman of OrphAids UK, works as a Civil Servant and worships at Wadhurst Parish Church, East Sussex.

Alison Acland is Secretary of OrphAids UK and works as an HR Director in the Insurance Brokerage she co-owns.

Mary Digman is Treasurer of OrphAids UK, works as a Nurse and worships at Wadhurst Parish Church, East Sussex.

Nick Day is an IT & Marketing Specialist and worships at Sandhurst Baptist Church, Kent.

Rev. John Hart is a former Director of Orphaids Ecuador, Missionary for Latin Link, Director of the Christian Leadership Training Centre and Church Leader.

Kate Henry was a Teacher at a school for the Deaf and worshipped at Staplehurst Free Church, Kent, before going to live at the Orphaids site in Ecuador. She is currently undergoing language training to enable her to apply her vocation in a local Ecuadorian Deaf school.

Rev. Phil Hughes is the Minister at Clevedon Baptist Church, Somerset.

Chris Knott is an Insurance Broker who took early retirement to build up another charity, Starfish Malawi. He is also Secretary of Sandhurst Baptist Church, Kent.

Terry Pickford is a retired Teacher and a Deacon at Sandhurst Baptist Church, Kent.

Chris Smith runs a construction company and worships at NFLC, Norwich.

Orphaids UK is registered charity number 1081104