Our Staff: Left to Right: Debbie Richards, Karen Ruisi, Karon Edwards, Donna Newis, Olivia Ash, Jasmine Noble, Cathy Truman.
Meet The Staff
Karen Ruisi
Director (Job Share)
Karen has worked at Cerebral Palsy Plus since September 2021 and is excited to move into the position of Director (Job Share) alongside Donna in April 2026. She says: “Over my years at Cerebral Palsy Plus, I have enjoyed meeting many of our members, and I look forward to continuing to provide a wide range of fun activities which improve their wellbeing.”
Donna Newis
Director (Job Share)
Donna has worked with us since 2012 and has lived experience of CP, giving her excellent insight into the needs of our members. Donna is excited to job share the Director role with Karen as of April 2026.
Alex Bennett
Operations Manager
Alex has been working for CPP part-time as a Project and Volunteer Manager since 2024. She is now working for us full-time as our Operations Manager. She still will be running events in North Somerset as part of her new role from cooking classes to seated yoga! She is looking forward to her new role and getting to know the charity on a more organisational level.
Lisa Straccia
Fundraiser
Lisa works as Cerebral Palsy Plus’ Fundraiser sourcing funding from grants to facilitate the running of the charity’s events and clubs. Having worked in the charity sector over the last 5 years she is excited to begin her journey with CPP.
Tom Routley
Admin Assistant
Tom helps write the newsletter with Donna and does other admin tasks for the team. Like Donna, he also has cerebral palsy so he can relate to how other members are feeling.
Olivia Ash
Activities Co-ordinator
Olivia supports the running of our Swimming Club, Friendship Club and Young Adults Club.
Debbie Richards
Activities Worker
Debbie originally started as a Travel Escort, supporting the Friendship Club. Her role has developed and she now also runs online support sessions, provides admin support and also supports our events.
Karon Edwards
Activities Worker
Karon started as a travel escort but now works closely with Debbie providing our online support sessions, Friendship Club and supports the different events and activities we deliver.
Want to be a corporate sponsor?
Discover how our corporate sponsors play a crucial role for our charity whilst raising their own brand profile
Our Trustees: Left to Right: James Barrell, Linda Creese, Robyn Taylor, Ian Thomas, Sonia Fu-Clarke, Ankita Bhargava
Meet The Trustees
Sonia Fu Clarke
Chair
Sonia has a background representing families with Cerebral Palsy through her work as a clinical negligence solicitor. She became aware of CPP when she moved to Bristol in 2018 and joined as a trustee.
Robyn Taylor
Secretary
Robyn has been a trustee since 2021. She wanted to get involved as she has Cerebral Palsy herself and feels passionately that everyone living with the condition has the right to live a full and happy life. She has a background in fundraising and grant management which is helpful to the team.
James Barrell
Treasurer
James has been Treasurer of CPP for over five years, and as a chartered accountant he brings skills that can contribute to the Charity’s ongoing and future success.
Ian Thomas
Trustee
Ian is involved in mainstream and disability sports as a sportsman, coach and spectator. He joined CPP as a member in 2015 and became a Trustee in 2018.
Rebecca
Trustee
Rebecca has worked with children and adults with Cerebral Palsy, advising their families for over ten years in her role as a Court of Protection solicitor. Rebecca moved to Bristol in 2022 and has become a trustee to help support the services available in the local community.
Ankita
Trustee
Ankita has worked with the NHS as a children’s Physiotherapist for the past 10 years and has also worked in other charitable organisations in India and Oman. She is passionate about working with children with additional needs and is excited to contribute to CPP.
Linda
Trustee
Could this be you?
New trustees wanted.
Support Cerebral Palsy Plus
Each donation helps to provide vital activities for children and their families throughout Bristol.
Join Our Free Membership
All activities and services are free to our CPP members