Trustees
Kim Slowe - Chair
A former Royal Navy frigate captain and helicopter pilot, Kim Slowe has successfully set up, operated, and sold Dorset based businesses for the past 17 years. His business interests have been in the tourism, health, renewables and housing sectors. Kim lives in Dorset with his wife Jane.
Kim was diagnosed with Kennedy’s Disease in 2018. With 2 daughters, 2 granddaughters, and a grandson, Kim is very committed to helping to raise the much needed funds that will lead to a cure for this pernicious disease.
Helena Conibear
Helena Conibear is CEO and Founder of The TALK ABOUT Trust, formerly The Alcohol Education Trust, which works across the UK to keep young people safe around alcohol ,vaping, cannabis and other substances. The early intervention charity, operating since 2009, enables young people age 11- 25 to make more informed, safer life choices through the provision of interactive evidenced resources and workshops for young people, training and cpd for professionals and parental support.
Helena is a member of The Institute for Health Promotion and Education, and of the European Society for Prevention Research and a Trustee of KDUK. She is also an accredited RSHE practitioner and lead author of the Talk About Alcohol programme, selected by The Early Intervention Foundation as one of the top 80 most effective early intervention programmes globally and awarded 3/3 for impact and 5/6 for quality of evaluation by the DfE appointed CAYT (Nat Cen and Institute for Fiscal Studies) . She is a Fellow of the School for Social Entrepreneurs and Royal Society of Arts and a Deputy Lieutenant for Dorset.
Luke Tillotson
Since graduating University, Luke’s been involved in the EdTech sector, most recently taking an organisation from startup to a multi million pound turnover. Luke also has an interest for investment in startups, with his latest venture a Tequila maker.
Luke lives in Yorkshire with his two young children, Edie and Maisie. Luke was diagnosed with Kennedy Disease in 2016, which didn’t come as too much of a surprise as his Grandfather had been diagnosed years earlier.
Luke’s been a KDUK trustee since 2021, and has raised over £15,000 to date through various fundraising activities with his work colleagues, the most notable being scaling the Yorkshire 3 peaks in 2022. Luke is determined to find a cure for this terrible disease.
Dr Helen Devine
Helen is a Clinical Academic Neurologist at Newcastle University. Her research lab is studying KD ‘in a dish’ to understand why motor nerves are affected in KD and try to identify potential treatments.
Darren Arthur
In 2022, Darren was one of the drivers on The Great Road Trip across America, a memorable journey that raised funds for KDUK and KDA. Alongside his son Jacob, who also took the wheel during the adventure, the trip not only supported an important cause but also sparked a deep connection to KD.
Darren owns and runs The 2CV Shop, turning a passion for cars into a thriving business. Originally from Bristol, he now calls Somerset home, where he lives with wife, Lisa, and their two sons, William and Jacob.
His involvement with KD began with The Great Road Trip, and he has been an advocate for the cause ever since.
Hadyn Beazer
Hadyn Beazer is a Chartered Accountant, has been on many company boards, acted as a school governor, and a trustee for other charities. He brings strong financial stewardship to the charity, together with a high degree of commerciality following his many years of experience in the commercial / development property sectors.
Michael Hope
Michael Hope, along with his family, watched his uncle’s progression with MND
until he died aged 83.
This experience, combined with his own lengthy journey to get a confirmed diagnosis of Kennedys Disease, motivated him to be a trustee. Michael said: “I watched my uncle progress with MND, becoming physically locked in, whilst his mind remained sharp until he was 83. For me, it took over eight years to receive a correct diagnosis.
During those years I was sent on numerous specialist pathways. This gives me an understanding of the journeys people travel, either alone or with their families.
“I understand the difficulties for people living with Kennedys Disease and their carers. I’ve seen courage, bravery and perseverance which inspires me to stand to be of service to represent and speak for people affected by KD.”