Sharon Doughty - President
Kids Taskforce President Sharon Doughty is a former journalist and television news presenter who gave up her TV career following a near-fatal car accident to focus on the issue of keeping children safe. Sharon suffered violence and sexual abuse as a child and passionately believes every young person has the right to learn how to stay safe and who in the community can help them. She created the Kids Taskforce school learning programmes in partnership with the emergency services and other expert partners and strives to get them into every school in the country.

Lynda Bellingham - Patron
One of Britain’s best-loved actresses, Kids Taskforce is proud to have Lynda as its patron. Best known for her roles in Loose Women, Calendar Girls and, of course, as the Oxo mum. Lynda has been involved with Kids Taskforce from the start and has shared her own experiences of domestic violence and abuse. Her son Michael Peluso, who is also an actor, is the co-chair of Kids Taskforce’s youth ambassador programme.

Neil Evans - Vice President
Neil Evans is the co-creator of the Kids Taskforce learning programmes and works as Vice President and Finance Director. His background is in public order and youth and community work in the Metropolitan Police, where he was a serving officer until he was badly injured in a riot. Neil also ran a homeless hostel for vulnerable families for three years, which helped to develop his ideas for his current work.

John Burbeck QPM. FCMI. Bsc. - Chairman
John joined us after a long career as a police officer, starting as a constable and working up to Chief Constable. He has also been an engineer in the Royal Navy and now runs his own consultancy business. He is an active member of the Association of Chief Police Officers and when he is not spending his spare time with his family (his younger sons are still a school) you will find him sailing or motorcycling.

John Hoey - Deputy Chair of the Board
John is a retired Chief Fire Officer of South Yorkshire. John was one of the first members of the emergency service to spot the potential of the Kids Taskforce Learning Programme and his passion for giving every child the right to learn how to be safe was the driving force behind a four year pilot of Kids Taskforce materials in South Yorkshire jointly funded by the Chief Constable at the time, Med Hughes. South Yorkshire created a blueprint for national roll out of the materials.

Paul Elliott MBE - Board Member
Paul is a former Chelsea, Celtic and Aston Villa footballer and prominent anti-racism campaigner within the football community. He is a trustee of the PFA and on the board of FIFA. Paul is a father of two children and very passionate about children’s rights. He learned about the work of Kids Taskforce through his work with Charlton Athletic as a trustee and introduced the learning programme to Gordon Taylor and the wider football family.

Jermain Defoe - Ambassador
The Spurs and England striker became involved with Kids Taskforce following the death of his brother Jade in a street assault in 2009. Jermain made his acting debut with a guest appearance in Watch Over Me IV.

Barry & Margaret Mizen - Ambassadors
The parents of Jimmy Mizen, killed in a random act of violence in a south-east london bakery the day after his 16th birthday in 2008, have become prominent and vocal campaigners for peace within our communities. Kids Taskforce are proud to have them as Ambassadors as they travel the country speaking to world leaders, educators, politicians and school children.