Celebrating 20 years of our Operations Manager
Two decades ago, Louise Dawson joined us as an appeals assistant and 20 years on she has been an integral part of the changes that have seen the charity grow to a team of 14.
There were just two members of the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund team when Louise joined in 2004.
Very sadly, Louise’s manager Eryl Williams passed away from breast cancer in 2012 and a charity award was set up in her memory to celebrate someone who embodies the charity’s ethos.
This September at our annual awards ceremony, the award was given to the Vice Chair of Trustees Tim Cooper.
Louise was also given an award in recognition of her 20 years of service. Tim actually interviewed Louise for her role 20 years ago!
I joined Lingen Davies while I figured out what I wanted to do – it turns out it was this!
After university where Louise completed a Business Decision Modelling degree, she started training as a secondary school teacher but realised it wasn’t the career for her.
She joined the Shropshire Museum Service as a Saturday girl and casual assistant and was promoted to custodian of Shrewsbury Castle.
“Then the job at Lingen Davies Cancer Fund came up and I thought I would apply while I decided what I wanted to do,” said Louise.
“Over the course of 20 years, the charity has changed so much, and my role has developed, I have never left, and this has become my career.
“I’ve had three promotions, I now manage a team of three and I have recently passed a Level 3 AAT (accountancy) qualification and a Diploma in Fundraising, to further my own skills and help the charity,” she added.
Developing roles within the charity
In 2012, Louise’s initial role changed as she gathered more responsibility, and she had her first son James in 2016, with her second Logan, following in 2018.
While Louise was on maternity leave in 2016, the charity’s first CEO was appointed – Naomi Atkin and the company started to grow quickly – doubling in size.
By 2020, Louise was part of a team of three and promoted to Operations Manager. By 2024, a Chief Operating Officer, a finance assistant, three communications members, two LiveLife coordinators, a Cancer Champions Coordinator and Relationship and Community Fundraisers have been appointed and who are all helping to spread awareness and fund projects across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Mid Wales.
Making a difference to people affected by cancer.
Louise said that making a difference and being able to see where the money that the charity is raising is spent in the local community, as well as watching the charity grow, is what keeps her role so rewarding.
“When I first started the focus was building the cancer centre and all fundraising efforts were for that.
“Now we have grown to a point where fundraising is going well, and we can support the purchasing of more equipment and holistic and wellbeing support for those living with and beyond cancer. We are making a tangible difference.
“Some of my personal highlights include the Santa bike ride where we had 24 people on a bike. I am really looking forward to the Christmas carol concert this year at Christ Church in Bayston Hill which my team are organising and we are still looking for sponsors!
“I genuinely can’t believe it has been 20 years since I started. I’ve always embraced the growth as I want to see the charity do well. I’ve seen a lot of changes, and the charity survived and thrived after lockdown. There are big plans ahead and I am really excited about the future.”
