MEET THE TEAM
Co-Founder and Charity Ambassador: John Bell
In July 2020, John became a bereaved parent through the accidental suicide of his 15 year old son, Jake. He coped with the mental trauma of this experience by taking time out alone in the mountains, using his army training to push himself physically, in an effort to balance the psychological storms he endured. In this way John was able to build up his resilience and find a new place of peace; an approach which he is passionate about sharing with others.
To this end, in 2023, he and Chris, our first Chair of Trustees, co-founded Walking 4 Hope with family members and friends so that others in similar situations could discover these coping strategies and ways of being for themselves.
John treasures the love he will always have in his heart for Jake; this gives him the drive to do all in his power to be alongside young people, families and bereaved parents who are all contending with their own struggles, helping them to reap the benefits of spending time outdoors and building their own resilience through nature.
You can read a fuller account of these experiences in a letter from John here.
Chair to the board of Trustees: Andrew Vessey
Secretary to the board of Trustees: Hazel Platts
Trustee:
A Brief History of the Charity’s Oversight
Walking 4 Hope was officially launched as a registered charity in early 2023, following its founding by Chris Atkinson and John Bell in 2022. At its inception, Christopher became a trustee alongside Joanne Bell and Lynda Weale. They were soon joined by David Miller, Shirley Miller, and later, Jennifer Holding. Together, these six trustees played a vital role in shaping the charity’s early direction and supporting its growth during its formative months.
Working closely with John Bell in his role as Director, the trustees were supported by a dedicated group of volunteers, friends, and supporters who generously contributed their time and energy to events and fundraising efforts. The charity also received valuable backing from corporate donors during this period. Key policies were established, and awareness was raised through social media, word of mouth, the charity’s website, and several radio and television broadcasts. A wide range of fundraising events and challenges helped increase the charity’s visibility, particularly in Mansfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield, and further afield. Many individuals benefited from Walking 4 Hope’s peer-to-peer support and community walks.
By summer 2024, the trustee board had evolved, with four active trustees remaining following the departure of Lynda and Joanne. In spring 2025, it became clear that the charity was ready for a new chapter—one that would build on the strong foundations already in place. John Bell transitioned into the role of Ambassador, and two new trustees, Hazel Platt and Andrew Vessey, were appointed to help guide the charity forward.
In August 2025, Chris, David, Shirley, and Jennifer formally stepped down as trustees, having successfully handed over their core responsibilities to Hazel and Andrew. The outgoing trustees would like to express their heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the charity’s journey—whether through time, resources, or support.
As Walking 4 Hope enters its next phase, all those connected to its mission eagerly anticipate the continued promotion of mental health and well-being through resilience-building in nature.