Nicky Chinn – Bipolar UK

Nicky is a dedicated and enthusiastic ambassador for Bipolar UK. A songwriter and record producer, Nicky co-wrote several international number one singles with Mike Chapman in the 70s and 80s. The many hits include ‘Living Next Door to Alice’, ‘Tiger Feet’, ‘Lonely This Christmas’ and the worldwide hit ‘Mickey’. Chinn and Chapman were the recipients of three Ivor Novello Awards for song writing, including the Jimmy Kennedy award for outstanding career achievement in 1997.

Nicky says, “Back in 1961 when I was diagnosed with bipolar at the age of 16, mental illness was not something that was accepted too readily. It was ‘pull yourself together’ territory. My parents were ashamed which made me ashamed as well. Therapy has helped me in more ways than I can describe. I believe it’s one of the reasons I’ve survived. Now I know the condition will always be there in the background, but that it doesn’t have to be a prison sentence for life. I don’t have to give it the power to rule me forever. Therapy has taught me how to manage bipolar and manage myself, and many other things as well.” 

Angela Williams – Sightbox Trust

Originally from Margate in Kent and now living in the area of Chester. I am a member of both Inner Wheel and Rotary and have held various roles in both organisations. The most recent for Inner Wheel being the Association Editor for GB&I and an Assistant Governor for Rotary in D1180. In May 2019 I was a Champion of Change winner and in Nov 2019 I received a PHF.

I became Ambassador of Sightbox Trust back in 2016 when the charity first started and have worked hard to get the charity to where it is now.  Sightbox Trust is a charity providing education through sport for the blind and visually impaired in the developing world. Something so simple can really make a difference in changing lives as the impossible becomes possible.

Paul Maskall – Fraud and Cybercrime Prevention

Paul believes that technology isn’t necessarily the enemy, but it is our relationship with it that needs some work. With a background in law enforcement, intelligence, counter terrorism and later finding a passion in cybercrime and fraud, he now works as the Fraud and Cybercrime Prevention Manager for UK Finance and works within the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU). Recently appearing on BBC Crimewatch Live, Rip off Britain and BBC Radio 1xtra, Paul applies behavioural and psychological principles to the core of his work in order to maximise impact to prevent fraud and cybercrime across strategy, innovation and education.

Jasmine Harrison – Rotary Young Citizen

Jasmine Harrison is a British adventurer who loves to travel and tackle new challenges. She achieved world-wide recognition in 2021 when aged 21 years she became the youngest solo female to row the Atlantic Ocean in 70 days proving that age, gender and background are no barrier to a positive mind-set. She is keen to encourage everyone to be self-reliant and if someone wants to take on a personal challenge, of any level, then they should just do it!

The Atlantic row, dubbed the ‘World’s Toughest Row’ saw Jasmine row up to 20 hours a day in conditions from flat calm to 10 metre high waves with lows of capsizes, injuries and physical exhaustion to the highs of amazing wildlife and sunsets travelling over 3000 miles from La Gomera, Canary Islands to Antigua.

In 2022 Jasmine became the first female (and third person ever) to swim the full length of the British Isles from Land’s End to John O’Groats, 900 miles, in 110 days.

Having raised over £30k for environmental causes, including Shelter Box, she remains a keen advocate for ocean health sharing her stories through talks whilst still taking on micro adventures. 

Jasmine was awarded a Rotary Young Citizen Award in 2023 and has been invited by RI Director Eve Conway to join the Alumni Rotaract Club. 

She is now planning and seeking sponsorship for her next big challenge which is a solo sail around the world in a 5.8m yacht in the Mini Globe Race starting in February 2025.

Lieutenant Commander Paul Armstrong Royal Navy

Lt Cdr Armstrong was born in Doncaster on 19th March 1986 and moved to Scotland at a young age. Early education was undertaken at Kyle Academy before progressing on to study Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Glasgow, graduating in 2008. He then spent two years working as a professional abseiler in Glasgow whilst applying to join the Royal Navy. Armstrong commenced Initial Officer Training in April 2010 and commissioned in December 2010. Upon successful completion of flying grading, he was awarded the Wallrock Rolls Royce Fleet Air Arm Trophy and the Queen’s Sword. Armstrong then entered a protracted period of holding, mainly in HMS OCEAN as an Air Operations Officer. Highlights include OP ELLAMY and OP OLYMPIC. In November 2012, Armstrong began Elementary Flying Training and graduated in January 2014, being awarded the Jock Manning Trophy. He commenced Basic Fast Jet Training in March 2014, earning his wings in May 2015 and being awarded the Eustace Broke Memorial Trophy for best all round student. Upon selection as a Non Reciprocal Exchange Pilot for the American Long Lead Specialist Skills Program, he began Advanced Flying Training with VT-9 in NAS MERIDIAN, Mississippi in June 2015 with graduation and award of American Naval Wings in April 2017. From there he moved to NAS LEMOORE, California to train on Fleet Replacement Squadron VFA-122 graduating as a fleet qualified F-18E Naval Aviator in August 18. Lt Armstrong joined VFA-151 onboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS during final work ups and deployed in October 2018. He flew combat missions over Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria in support of OP FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, OP INHERENT RESOLVE and OP DELIBERATE RESOLVE. During his time with the “Vigis”, he was also the line division Officer, NATOPS Officer, Schedules Officer, Mess Officer, senior landing signals Officer, functional test check flight pilot and instrument instructor. Lt Armstrong departed VFA-151 in August 2021 to relocate to the Eastern United States after being assigned to VFA-106 in NAS OCEANA as the British exchange instructor pilot and Senior Naval Officer for UK fast jet pilots located on the East Coast. In 2022 he returned to the UK after selection as an F-35 Instructor. Promoted to Lt Cdr in 2023, Lt Cdr Armstrong has accrued over 1500 fast jet hours including over 1000 on the F-18 and 247 carrier arrested landings. He is a recipient of both the US Navy Achievement Medal and Commendation Medal

An avid skier, sailor, hiker, camper, cyclist and climber he enjoys anything outdoors although his patience for wet British weather is wearing thin after many years in sunnier climates.

Patsy Johnson-Cisse

Patsy has extensive experience of working within the third sector, having worked for national, regional and local charities.

She has been influential in raising millions for charities, establishing major fundraising events including the Ladies’ Midnight Walk for a local hospice with 2,300 walkers who raised over £250,000 and the annual Christmas Day Dip.

Patsy was part of the Capital Appeals Team for East Anglian Children’s Hospices raising £3.3 million in 11 months to build the Treehouse Hospice. She joined FSnb seven years ago as a fundraiser, before promotions to Income and Operations Director and Managing Director in January 2021.

Young Musicians

Sakura Fish

Sakura began playing violin at 9 years old, joined the National Children’s main orchestra and then the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) in 2021 and 2022. She is also as an ambassador for NYO’s outreach programme, called NYO Inspire. During her time in the NYO Sakura played a solo piece in the Royal Festival Hall, as well as performing at the BBC Proms 2022.

Alongside orchestral playing, Sakura also enjoys chamber music, and recently formed a quartet with her best friends from the National Children’s Orchestra, where they play at local festivals and wedding venues.

From last year she has been attending the Junior Department at the Royal Academy of Music, learning violin there, as well as having chamber music coaching and conducting classes. This year, Sakura has had the opportunity to focus more on her solo playing, and especially enjoyed participating in the Rotary Young Musician Competition, where she reached the National Final. Another highlight was winning the Cambridge Music Festival.

Aside from the violin, Sakura enjoys playing the organ to a high level. She hopes to advance her violin playing by taking her Diploma exam and aspires to study a science degree at university whilst keeping her violin playing to a high level.

Leila Rose Daw

Leila is 15 and is currently studying for her GCSE’s at Saffron Walden County High School. She hopes to go on to Sixth Form to study drama, history and psychology at A level, alongside her singing.

Leila has successfully completed exams to grade 5 in musical theatre, acting and devising drama; all of which she passed with distinction. She recently passed her LAMDA grade 5 devising drama exam with a score of 100/100. Leila often receives feedback from the exams that she has a flare for comedy performance. Leila has been asked to sing with the school jazz band at a series of events and frequently sung in school productions for the last 4 years. In her spare time, she studies dance with Target Dance in Cambridge with the aim of becoming a ‘triple threat’ (dancing, singing and acting). She hopes to go on to study for a degree in drama/musical theatre and her dream would be to perform in a production in the West End.

Over the last four years Leila has enjoyed lead roles in musical theatre productions of Peter Pan, Rapunzel, Princess and The Pea, Bugsy Malone.

Leila was Runner up at the Regional Final (Eastern Region) at the Rotary Young Musician of the Year Competition 2023 at Chelmsford Cathedral.