Layla Stephen – Director of Strategy and Finance

Layla has had the pleasure of running the charity since its inception back in early 2011 after being approached by founders Neil Pearce and Brian Stedman. She met the founders after being diagnosed herself with multiple neuroendocrine tumour’s in December 2008, shortly after the birth her son.

Layla says ‘I am truly blessed to be a part of an amazing fundraising team. The last 12 years have been a whirlwind for PLANETS and we have achieved unbelievable levels of support and awareness far beyond our greatest expectations. We have an ambitious strategy ahead of us with plans for innovation and growth within a charity where a passion in fundraising for PLANETS cancers is at the heart of our work’.

Jo Green – Director of Operations and Marketing

Jo was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine cancer in October 2011 at the age of 34 and had her initial surgery with Mr Neil Pearce in December 2011. Since then she has been heavily involved in the charity, from both an operational and marketing point of view, patient support and also arranging events, including successful charity balls in 2012 and 2018, as well as rounding up all her friends to take part in various physical challenges, most recently the 100 mile Dawn to Dusk bike ride which raised an incredible £66,000 which she also took part in herself.

Jo formerly worked for many years as a Sales and Marketing Manager in a health club in Bournemouth and also teaches fitness classes and says ‘my involvement in PLANETS has been very important to me since my diagnosis. I have made some great friends but also love the fact that I am being proactive with regards to gaining awareness and improving treatment for other NET patients. It has been an extremely positive aspect to my life, helping to offset the impact that living with cancer can have. My friends have supported me in my fundraising which has given me (and them) some incredible experiences and the PLANETS family that I have gained has been an invaluable support to me as well. I feel very lucky to be involved with PLANETS and I am proud of what we have achieved so far.’

Meriel Callingham – Events and Fundraising Officer

Meriel’s background is in Events Management, and having worked for the last 12+ years in a corporate setting, she felt the time was right to make a change and wanted to find a role where her work really made a difference – and what better role than one at PLANETS!

Her role mainly focuses on running our fundraising events – like our Annual Ball and Scrap to the Future, but she also helps look after our individual fundraisers by supporting them with their own fundraising efforts too. She helps support on our patient support groups, coffee mornings and our annual NET conference as well.

“It’s great to be involved in such an amazing Charity. I’ve quickly learnt how valuable PLANETS is to so many patients and families and I feel very lucky to be involved in that too.”

Naomi Estall – Marketing Officer

Naomi was first introduced to PLANETS through our Operations Director, Jo Green. Being a friend and former employee, Naomi had a front row seat to the charity’s growth, participating in events and gradually getting more involved with their fundraising efforts. Naomi’s background is predominately in Marketing so she is currently helping us expand our corporate relationships and build on sponsorships for future events.

“Having seen the impact of PLANETS on both patients and their families, I was invested in the charity from day one. The team behind the scenes are very special and I think once you’ve seen that, it’s pretty hard to not want to do what you can to join in on their cause”

Mr Neil Pearce – Co-Founder – Chairman of Trustees

Neil Pearce was the lead consultant surgeon for the regional pancreas, liver and neuroendocrine tumour service based in Southampton from 2005 to 2013 and co-founded PLANETS with Layla and Brian. He was diagnosed himself with a progressive form of Multiple Sclerosis which cut short his surgical career; he went on to become associate medical director at University Hospital Southampton with overall responsibility for patient safety before medically retiring in 2023.

Neil is still passionate about providing guidance for patients with advanced cancers on complex treatment pathways. During his surgical career he was a pioneer of new treatments and championed the cross disciplinary approach to tackling advanced cancer, using all the different modalities of treatment available. He saw the need for PLANETS to offer support for patients on these complex journeys and help provide innovative cancer treatments many years sooner than the existing NHS funding mechanisms could allow.

Dr Brian Stedman – Co-Founder – Trustee

Brian Stedman is a world leading interventional radiologist who specialises in treating advanced cancer involving the pancreas and liver. He has been proactive in finding extreme physical challenges to help us fundraise and has been instrumental in developing our “Whole Team” approach, which sees patients, family, friends and the medical team all working together tackling fun runs, skydiving, assault courses, marathons and extreme cycling events. Under his expert guidance 57 patients, family members, friends, doctors, physios and nurses completed the London to Paris, 24 hour, 320km cycle ride in 2016; despite most of them being novice cyclists 6 months before. This event alone raised over £65,000.

Brian’s relentless enthusiasm has also succeeded in breaking down the traditional barriers between local hospitals so that staff from Southampton, Portsmouth, Dorchester, Bournemouth, Poole and Salisbury all give their time voluntarily to this same cause.

Professor Alex Mirnezami – Trustee

Alex Mirnezami is Professor of Surgical Oncology in the University of Southampton and an Honorary Consultant Colorectal Surgeon. He has linked clinical and laboratory research interests, leading a group in the area of colorectal cancer and its progression and recurrence.

His clinical expertise in particular is in complex advanced or recurrent abdominal and pelvic cancers, and he has pioneered the development, testing, and application of Intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy for these complex tumours.

His research work evaluates the role of small RNA molecules in colorectal cancer progression, in particular those derived not just from the cancer cells but from their surrounding cells, and which can promote cancer cell growth and spread.

Fergus Noble – Trustee

Fergus Noble is an Upper GI Surgical lead, Oesophageal Cancer multidisciplinary team lead and Neuroendocrine multidisciplinary team member, treating patients with these conditions as a Consultant surgeon.

Motivated by his commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field of cancer research, treatment and patient support and having closely followed PLANETS’ work in advancing treatment options, providing innovative patient treatment, and supporting patients and enabling research, Fergus joins the board, dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by cancer.

Craig Hoyland – Trustee

Craig is a Director of Regal Homes, a local property company who have supported PLANETS Charity for many years, organising the unforgettable Scrap to the Future Car Rally and it’s follow up, Scrap 2, raising over £70,000 and enabling us to create a dedicated theatre for our IORT machine. The Regal Homes team have been an incredible ally to PLANETS in it’s formative years and we are grateful to Craig for offering to step up as a Trustee and continue this valuable partnership.

Craig says ‘I started supporting PLANETS in 2016 after seeing the incredible hard work and passion the PLANETS team and patients put into the charity. I was also extremely impressed by the ability to see exactly where the money goes from the fundraising and hearing from patients (many of whom have taken part in various events) how the charity has helped save, enrich and prolong lives.

I look forward to helping and assisting the PLANETS team to fundraise and help even more people in the future.’

Tori Caine – Trustee

Tori has successfully organised mass tandem skydive and abseil events for over 120 thrill seeking PLANETS supporters. Proud moments include watching her Mum and Pancreatic Cancer survivor Linda Caine scale the famous Spinnaker Tower and helping Mr Neil Pearce and Dr Brian Stedman to fulfil their skydive ambitions. As a licensed skydiver herself, Tori enjoys sharing her passion and raising funds at the same time. She also runs a dance school in Southampton and enjoys choreographing and theatre directing for local charity shows.

Ruth Willrich – Trustee

Ruth is a patient with multiple neuroendocrine tumour’s, originally diagnosed in 2010. Since then she has had a lot of treatment with both Neil Pearce and Brian Stedman who she says have ‘put her back on the rails with a not-to-be-beaten attitude.’

Ruth was invited to join the PLANETS team in its infancy in early 2011. Ruth says ‘I have a jack-of-all-trades role within the team, primarily focused on fund raising, creating awareness and promoting the cause. I’ve organised two very successful balls, fundraised through participation in a variety of events and supported new patients. Outside of the charity I enjoy spending time with my daughter, who also gives her support to the charity wherever possible.’

Lesley Waters – Patron

We are delighted that celebrity Chef, Lesley Waters, has become our first charity Patron!

Lesley, who lives in West Dorset, is well known for her regular television appearances on Ready Steady Cook, Great Food Live and This Morning.

Lesley has now established her own cookery school – The Lesley Waters Cook School – in Shaftesbury which offers demonstrations and hands on classes and is also guest chef at White Pepper Cook School.

Lesley’s offer to become patron for PLANETS came after finding out about its connection with the family of Karen Ford, a keen cook who had previously worked with Lesley and sadly passed away 18 months ago after a long battle against pancreatic cancer.

Karen was a supporter and friend of PLANETS attending events including the Millionaires’ Ball in 2019 after being treated by members of the charity’s clinical team at University Hospital Southampton.

We are extremely grateful to Lesley for taking on this role for us.

Fay Young – Patient Support Volunteer

Fay has been an invaluable help at our patient support groups, assisting and also leading in some instances. Fay has a health sector background, working initially as a Speech & Language therapist (adults with acquired neurological disorders). She moved into NHS management via HR (Management training & Communication) and latterly worked independently as a Coach / Coach supervisor, supporting people both at work and in life generally.

Reda Lyle – Volunteer

Reda came to PLANETS after hearing more about our Operations Director, Jo Green’s cancer diagnosis. The challenges of being young with an incurable cancer diagnosis and no organisation to turn to for support and help until Joanne met her surgeon and our co-founder, Mr. Neil Pearce are what drives Reda to raise the charity’s profile. She would like no one to face cancer alone.