Odyssey is a charity which enhances the quality of life for cancer patients, through imaginative programmes of challenging and dramatic activities using the outdoors.
Origin
Odyssey was the brainchild of Dr. Howard Smedley, a Canterbury based Oncologist, who had previously used outdoor adventure activities for the purposes of staff development and training.
One day, it occurred to him that something similar might benefit many of the people he saw as patients. Later that very evening Howard, Steve Gough and Charles Lyster got together over a couple of pints in a dark corner of the 'Roseneath' in Gillingham, and after a short brainstorming session, Odyssey was born.
Unlike most ideas developed in such circumstances, this one looked even better in the morning! Six months of research and planning followed, and in September 1994, sixteen bold people met for the first ever Odyssey course.
Our Board of Trustees oversee all our work and play a crucial role as advisors, fundraisers and advocates. Together, they provide an unparalleled level of knowledge and experience in the fields of oncology, medical care, pharmaceutical research, general management and outdoor training activities.
Their involvement ensures that Odyssey runs a course which is challenging yet safe, well funded yet cost effective, and guarantees a life enhancing experience which is second to none.
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Howard Smedley
Howard is currently the Clinical Director of Oncology at the Kent and Canterbury NHS Trust, where he has played a leading role in creating a dedicated cancer unit.
He and Professor Karol Sikora jointly wrote a guide to cancer treatment for patients; "Cancer: What it is and How it is Treated," and was one of the first consultants in the country to introduce supportive therapies for patients and their families.
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Karol Sikora
As Professor of Oncology at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London, Karol Sikora pioneered the use of supportive therapies within the oncology community. He is currently a Medical Director of Cancer Partners UK and has undertaken joint programmes with Penny Brohn Cancer Care.
The BBC Television series Fight Cancer was filmed in Professor Sikora's Department at Hammersmith Hospital.
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Stephen Gough
Stephen recently retired from BMI's Chaucer Hospital in Canterbury, where he occupied the position of Executive Director. Prior to this, he spent 15 years as a manager at Outward Bound, where he played a key role in designing management development programmes based on experiential learning in the outdoors.
While Warden of the Outward Bound Centre at Rhowniar, he was also helmsman of the Aberdovey Lifeboat and a Mountain Rescue Team Leader.
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Jan Wade
Jan has worked as a PR Consultant in veterinary science for many years. In 2007, she and her husband, Bruce, participated in an Odyssey course, which resulted in Jan’s involvement in fundraising and subsequently, joining the Board of Trustees. As well as her personal experience of cancer, she has worked with Penny Brohn Cancer Care and trained as a mentor with Dr Rosy Daniel of Health Creation.
Her first fundraising endeavour involved her and Stephen Gough crossing the English channel in a double kayak!
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Declan Doogan
Declan is a Glasgow trained Physician who joined the pharmaceutical industry in 1978. He has been closely associated with psychiatric research, particularly with regard to the management of psychosomatic disorders and the influence of the mind on disease patterns.
Odyssey is consistent with these interests. He is currently Chief Medical Officer at Amarin Corporation.
