Our Trustees are the backbone of the Sabre Trust.

Trustees

Our founder. Viv is a former international athlete, winning two bronze medals (foil & sabre), and when Great Britain lost its funding after the 2012 Olympics, Viv decided to cash in her own savings and set up the Sabre Trust.

The mission is to enable disabled fencers to take up the sport and benefit from financial and logistical support. Viv is still involved with the sport and actively coaches grassroots and club-standard fencers.

Phillipa has recently retired after 25 year as a careers adviser in mainstream and special schools. The experience she gained in her career has provided the ideal skill base for her volunteering. Phillipa has been a volunteer with The Prince's Trust for over 25 years and for 10 years was the Chairman of the Sussex Development Awards panel, providing guidance and leadership during several periods of change and financial difficulty. 

Phillipa has now also taken the Chairmanship of the new Sabre Trust. As well as being Chairman she is a Trustee and volunteer assessor.

Kevin has been a volunteer with the Prince's Trust since 1986, first in London, and then with Sussex since 1990. For many years he steered the Sound Live programme in Sussex. He has been the Vice Chairman of Sussex Development Awards panel for the last 10 years. During the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics he was a volunteer Games Maker. With his intimate knowledge of the East End of London he had the privilege of chauffeuring the various international sports ambassadors around the many Olympic venues. Last year he volunteered for the 'January to March' project, providing breakfasts for the homeless. This year he is doing it again.

Kevin is now the Vice Chairman of The Sabre Trust, Treasurer, Trustee and volunteer assessor.

Kat currently works for local government but her previous roles were in the caring and support fields. Kat has many years experience as a volunteer, and for the last 10 year she has been a volunteer with The Prince's Trust, initially as a mentor, but latterly as a volunteer assessor for Development Awards.  Kat states she loves working with people of all ages, but the joys and challenges that come from working young people are where her heart really lies. Kat goes on to say that her fellow Prince's Trust colleagues have become firm friends. When Viv proposed to form The Sabre Trust she was honoured to become a Trustee. She has met some of the young fencers... "their energy and determination is inspirational and it is brilliant to be involved in an organisation that wishes to help them reach their full potential. It is also thrilling to know that these young fencers could well be the Paralympic medallists".

Joan retired a number of years ago after a long career working for a Sussex local authority as the sheltered housing officer. The experience gained in her profession helped Joan with the skills needed for her voluntary work for The Princes Trust, where she is a volunteer assessor for the Sussex Developments Awards panel, and in her 32nd year of service.

Joan's other voluntary work is in guiding and scouting, which has occupied her attention for 60 years. Joan has added The Sabre Trust to her 'Volunteer Portfolio' and works as a volunteer assessor.

Billy has recently retired from a career in the Aerospace industry having attained a Master of Science degree in Quality Management/Product Assurance and acheived Member of the Chartered Institute of Quality Assurance. He is a retired Owner/Director of his Quality Consulting Limited Company.

Billy is the most recent appointed Trustee having joined the team in 2019. He has been involved in fund raising for charities since the 1980's and has held various roles such as:- Employer's Joint Coordinator for Save the Children.; Executive Board Member for his local Scouts Association; Chairman for both his local school's PTA & employer's Sports & Social club. He is thrilled to add to his portfolio the role of Trustee and volunteer assessor for The Sabre Trust.

Billy says he has no experience in Wheelchair fencing. However he has supported young people and adults enabling them develop to their full potential through funding, mentoring, coaching and training.

Dan represented Great Britain between 2013-18 as a fencer. Passionate about working with disabled youngsters, Dan finds the time to manage a Basketball Club and now to utilise his experience of performing at the very highest level to help young up-and-coming fencers.

Sponsor the Sabre trust

If you would like to sponsor The Sabre Trust, fill out the form below and one of our staff members will get back to you.