The Board of Trustees
City of Joy Aid, UK is governed by a board of four trustees committed to assisting with the raising, allocation and transfer of funds, ensuring that the money is used for the purposes for which it has been given and that projects are completed and maintained.
All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits.
The trustees of City of Joy Aid, UK are:
Trish Devlin
Trustee & Secretary
It was during her time as Head of Sixth Form at St Joan of Arc School that Trish was first introduced to Udayan and the other NGO’s which City of Joy Aid, UK supports in Kolkata. She accompanied the Sixth Form students on three of the trips to Kolkata and was touched by the support and care which was shown to all the children and adults supported by the different organisations.
Having retired from teaching, Trish joined the Board of Trustees in 2024, assuming the role of Secretary.
Deacon Liam Lynch
Trustee
Deacon Liam Lynch joined the Board of Trustees in February 2024. With a deep-seated dedication to faith and service, Deacon Liam first encountered the work of the charity during his tenure as Chaplain of St Joan of Arc School visiting Udayan and other NGOs supported by City of Joy Aid, UK in 2015 with a group of Sixth Form students and has been back with three additional groups. His passion and enthusiasm whilst on these trips is infectious and has, on each occasion, choregraphed a dance with the groups for the children of Udayan. Now serving as the Director of Catholic Life & Mission for the All Saints Catholic Academy Trust, he brings a wealth of experience in pastoral care and mission-focused leadership to his role. Alongside his responsibilities, Liam has raised vital funds for the charity through various physical challenges, inspired by the lives and needs of the children he seeks to support.
A husband and father of four, he hopes to share the charity’s work with his family through a future visit to Calcutta, fostering a personal connection that embodies his commitment to faith, compassion and global service.
Chris Mann
Trustee & Chair
Chris was a student at St Joan of Arc Catholic School when he joined the second of the school’s trips to India back in February 2007 to visit Udayan and other NGO’s City of Joy Aid, UK supports in Kolkata. He was to return to Kolkata on numerous subsequent occasions, and continued to support the home whilst studying Accounting and Finance at university. Chris served City of Joy Aid, UK as secretary from 2013 until 2024 and became a trustee of the charity in 2015. Following the retirement of Kathryn Spink in February 2024, he became the chair of the Board of Trustees.
Chris works for the Lawn Tennis Association as Competition Support Manager. He is also an ITF Silver Badge Referee. He combines working in the Competitions Team with working as the supervisor or referee at ITF/WTA/ATP/Grand Slam tennis tournaments around the world.
His sustained efforts on behalf of the Udayan children, his financial skills and IT literacy make him a valuable member of the board.
Rowan Pugsley
Trustee
As a passionate geographer, Rowan is a strong advocate for education and poverty relief. She was first introduced to the City of Joy Aid, UK during her primary school years and continued to learn about and fundraise for the charity throughout her time at St Joan of Arc School. In 2019, Rowan had the opportunity to visit Udayan and NGOs supported by City of Joy Aid, UK as part of St Joan’s eighth trip. She was moved by the work of Udayan, ABC and ICOD in creating a brighter future for those in their care which simply made her feel compelled to do more.
Rowan returned to Udayan in 2020, where she contributed to the students’ day-to-day schooling and social development, as well as renovating a school classroom. These experiences inspired her to pursue a career in teaching. Currently training as a secondary geography teacher at St Joan of Arc School, Rowan hopes to not only share her love for geography, but to also raise awareness and support of the incredible work the City of Joy Aid, UK does to aid these NGOs.