The Trustees

Odyssey's Trustees oversee the work of the charity and play a crucial role as advisors, fundraisers and advocates. They provide a combination of knowledge and experience in the fields of oncology, medical care, pharmaceutical research, management and outdoor development which is unparalleled. Their involvement ensures that Odyssey runs programmes which are challenging yet safe; well funded yet cost effective. They guarantee a life enhancing experience which is second to none.

Professor Karol Sikora

As Professor of Oncology at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London, Karol Sikora pioneered the use of supportive therapies amongst the oncology community. He 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. Karol is Medical Director of CancerPartnersUK.

Jan Wade

Jan has worked as a PR Consultant in the field of veterinary science for many years. She and her husband, Bruce, participated in an Odyssey programme in April 2007, as a result of which Jan offered to help with fundraising and subsequently joined 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 Trust Chairman Steve Gough, crossing the English channel in a double kayak!

Dr Howard Smedley

As Clinical Director of Oncology at the Kent and Canterbury NHS Trust, Dr. Howard Smedley played a leading part in creating a dedicated cancer unit and was one of the first consultants in the country to introduce supportive therapies for patients and their families. He trained at University College Hospital, London and Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge. He is joint author with Prof. Sikora of "Cancer: What it is and how it is treated" a guide to cancer treatment for patients.

Stephen Gough

Recently retired as Executive Director of BMI's Chaucer Hospital in Canterbury, Stephen Gough is a professional manager who spent 15 years with Outward Bound where he was instrumental 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.

Dr Declan Doogan

Senior Vice President of Pfizer Global Research and Development, Declan Doogan 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 and also allows Pfizer to be associated with non-pharmacological programmes that have direct benefit for patients in the community.