Clare Byrne (Vice Chair)
Clare Byrne has a background in retail management and training. Following a road traffic accident in 2000 she became paralysed at level T4. This resulted in a move back home to Glasgow for her and husband Stephen after two years living and working inYork. After a 5 month stint rehabilitating at the Spinal Unit in Glasgow's Southern General, Clare attended college and learned the art of cake decoration. Clare was heavily involved in the design of her home, where she now lives with Stephen and their five year-old son Patrick. Clare has been a director since 2003 and has recently been appointed to the mobility and access committee for Scotland (MACS), which provides advice to Scottish Ministers on accessibility in relation to transport. Clare lives in Allanton, North Lanarkshire
Blair Carlton
Blair is a newly qualified solicitor and is currently studying for a masters degree in commercial law at the University of Edinburgh. He gained exposure to the charity sector during his traineeship with a large Scottish commercial law firm and thoroughly enjoyed putting his legal skills to use in order to benefit worthwhile causes. Blair grew up on the Isle of Man but now lives in Edinburgh with his girlfriend Anna. In his spare time, he enjoys hillwalking and music.
Laurie Duffy
Laurie Duffy is the Respiratory Sister in QENSIU. Laurie has worked in the spinal unit for many years, working in most of the clinical areas. Laurie worked in Philipshill, East Kilbride before moving to the unit at the Southern General. Laurie became a director in 2007.
Geraldine Lynch
Geraldine first became involved in S.I.S. when she was asked to help with fundraising for a specialised wheelchair for a young person with a Spinal Cord Injury. After seeing the work that goes on within S.I.S. Geraldine became a volunteer and thereafter a Director. Geraldine had previously operated a family hairdressing business for 25 years and at the age of 40 went back to education to obtain a degree in Social Sciences with Hons in Psychology. Geraldine has been married for 35 years to James and has 9 children, made up of birth, adopted, foster sons and daughters. They live in Govan.
Doug Ross
Born in Glasgow and raised in London, Doug has spent the past 25 years in the public and voluntary sectors; the last 20 years of which has been specifically in the disability field, principally in relation to employment, training and volunteering. He spent 10 years with the Department for Work and Pensions before moving into the voluntary sector and has subsequently worked for several national charities including RNIB, Leonard Cheshire Disability and now Momentum Scotland. Between 2003 and 2010 he was a member of the UK Government's Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board. He is an active member of his local community; having been a parent member on the local primary school board, a member of East Dunbartonshire’s Citizens Panel and a former Rotarian. Disabled since birth as a result of a condition called spina bifida, Doug has always had a keen interest in disability issues from both a personal and professional perspective. Doug is married with three children and lives in Glasgow.
John Clark
John’s background was in the Automotive Industry, with 25 years with the Kwik Fit Group of Comapnies where he served in numerous Divisions at Director level. Laterly he has served as a Consultant in other retail and service organisations, having now this year moved back to Glasgow from Argyll where he served at Director and Board Member level with other charities including The Princes Trust, The Charles and Barbara Trust, Crinan Harbour Ass. and the Community Council. He is married to Kathy. They have three adult children and four grandchildren - with another 2 on the way due at Christmas - hence his move back to Glasgow from Argyll.
Helen Dargan
Helen Dargan has worked in administration at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit at the Southern General, Glasgow, since it opened in 1992. She is one of the longest serving board members, having been with SIS for ten years.