OUR TEAM
BILL & SHARON BLYTH
FOUNDERS
Bill and Sharon are passionate to see transformation in the nation of Moldova. We want to see lives changed and for value of people to be restored, particularly across female groups, young vulnerable adults and the abandoned elderly.
We long to see transformation that lasts, leaders that are built and the values of Jesus lived out! That is why we invest heavily in the people of Moldova.
Ian GORTON
TRUSTEE
I am very excited to be part of the Love Moldova Charity and am looking forward to being able to make a real difference to the lives of many people in Moldova.
I first came to learn about Moldova through the Sandu family whom I met through Hitchin Christian Centre. I have become great friends with Leo Sandu who was born and grew up in Moldova and who has now moved back to Moldova to do Christian and charity work. I have visited the Sandu's in Moldova three times and while I was there I have been involved in projects to help members of the local community.
I have worked as a finance manager for over 30 years in various blue chip organisations in the UK and in this role I am used to ensuring that money is spent wisely and with the proper controls.
I am looking forward to using my expertise in this area to help the Love Moldova charity use it’s funds in an effective way. In the past I have been involved with the Prince’s Trust Charity in the UK where I acted as a mentor to underprivileged young people starting their own businesses. This is a particular area of interest to me and I believe the knowledge that I gained from my work with The Prince’s Trust can be used in our aim to help relieve poverty in Moldova.
Sally WILSON
TRUSTEE
My name is Sally Willson. I have lived in Highworth Wiltshire (UK) since 1985 and have been an active member of Highworth Community Church (HCC) since then. I have been serving on the church leadership team in a voluntary capacity since 2011.
I trained as a nurse in the late 1970s, then in 1980 as a midwife. After having my 2 sons and 3 daughters I returned to nursing eventually specialising in women's health. Having retired from the NHS in August 2014 I have been free to help look after my grandchildren and be more available for church work.
I first heard about Moldova and the dire problems there in April 2014 when Rachel Hickson came to share at HCC (from "Heartcry for change"). Rachel recommended Sharon Eason (now Sharon Blyth since her marriage on 3/9/16) to come to tell us more, as she had been working in Moldova for a number of years, so I first met Sharon in June 2014 and we formed an immediate bond.
My husband Mike and I made our first visit to Moldova in September 2014 for 1 week. We attended an inter church conference called "shoulder to shoulder" in Ungheni, which encouraged not only the churches to start to work together but for men and women to work alongside each other. We also were able to get to know missionaries Leo and Sam Sandu who are overseeing a church plant from Ungheni in a village called Cornesti. They have been working to bring what aid they can to that impoverished community as well as discipling and training young people to lead the church there. We are so encouraged to hear their latest vision of further church plants in other villages around Ungheni, of the start of a Christian leadership academy (in September 2018) and to hear of a new spiritual freedom that is emerging.
We were also able to visit Casa Helen which Sharon founded in Rispeni, and visit Riscani, where a house had just been purchased for complete renovation into a refuge for girls at risk of being trafficked. It was wonderful to revisit Casa Helen (and Cornesti) in August 2016 as part of a larger mission team from our church, to help with various projects, encourage the churches and bless the elderly ladies in the home.
A number of other HCC members have visited at other times and we have been praying for, befriending and financially supporting the work since our first connections in 2014. A couple from our church are moving to Moldova with their 2 children in September 2017 to start working as missionaries.
I was part of a Moldova vision meeting in November 2016 with representatives of leaders from HCC, Hitchin Christian Centre, Heartcry for change and Life Church (Vienna) along with Sharon and Bill Blyth, and Leo and Sam Sandu. It was decided then to set up a charity (Love Moldova) to unify the various financial supporters to give more accountability and clarity. Having been asked to be part of the team of trustees it has been my pleasure to assist in this way with this wonderful work.
Bob Pritchard
TRUSTEE
I worked in a Commercial Sales environment in different roles with a number of companies until I retired in October 2014. The last 29 years of my working life I was UK Sales Manager for a large German manufacturer.
I now spend time doing voluntary work for Camberley Care, Citizens Advice and various other activities at St. Paul’s Church including running the recovery course for those struggling with addiction.
My hobbies include being an Honorary Steward at Twickenham Stadium, watching Harlequins RFC, and sport in general, just love walking and cycling, and travelling to different places in my Caravan!
I have a real passion for life, and enjoy meeting people. I love time with my family and friends but get great delight in helping others especially those who are not so fortunate.
I am looking forward to visiting Moldova in the coming year and to making my sincere contribution to the Love Moldova Foundation.
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Lynn Osbourne
Lynn is a dynamic and passionate marketing leader, with a proven track record in delivering successful global integrated marketing programs based on consumer insight and in-depth channel understanding. Lynn comes with experience across both the FMCG and Technology sectors, covering a wide range of local and international roles across Marketing, Consumer Research and Global Strategy & Execution. Lynn has a passion for building talent, embracing diversity and staying true to her Christian beliefs that shape her core vision and leadership style. Lynn and her husband Terry, live in Camberley and have 3 children, Sonia, Joshua and Luke.
TRUSTEE
Jo Pearse
TRUSTEE
I Visited Highworth Community Church, for the first time and learned that a team of people was about to go to Moldova, as I sat listening, I began to think that ‘I want to go there!’. 18 months later I went with a small group from Highworth, meeting others involved in Love Moldova whilst I was there. I was hooked!
After graduating I joined the Civil Service, I worked for Headway, the head injury charity, and now have a small lettings business. I am involved in women’s ministry and I am passionate to see women rise up to live adventurously to fulfil their calling, and discover the freedom that Jesus brings. For the last 2 years I have organised the Edgefest Ladies Conference ‘Ladies Rise Up’,
I have a wonderful husband and am a mum to twin boys.
Tim Cross CBE
PATRON
“High level soldiering is not just about making war,
but also involves building peace and following Jesus”.
Major General (Retired) Tim Cross MSc CBE was commissioned into the British Army in 1971. He commanded at every level, from leading a small Bomb Disposal Team in N Ireland in the 1970’s to commanding a Division of 30,000 in 2004/07 and being a Board Member of the multi-billion-pound Defence Logistic Organisation in 2002
Alongside various tours in the UK and Germany, he served with the UN in Cyprus in 1980/81 and Paris on a Guided Weapons programme in 1983/84. Operational deployments included Kuwait/Iraq in 1990/91 and Bosnia in 1995/96 and ‘97. In 1999, as a Brigadier in command of 101 Logistic Brigade, he deployed to Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo and was appointed CBE in the subsequent operational awards for his work in leading the NATO response to the Humanitarian crisis; his brigade headquarters was also awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Peace.
Involved in the initial planning for military operations in Iraq in Sep/Oct ‘02, he deployed to Washington in Jan ’03, and then Kuwait and Baghdad as the UK Deputy to the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). In Jul ‘03 he returned to the UK, subsequently commanding the largest of the 3 Divisions of the UK Field Army, retiring in Jan ’07. He was then the Army Adviser to the UK House of Commons Defence Committee for 7 years.
As a part of a broad portfolio, Tim is a Local Lay Minister in the Church of England and an itinerant preacher/speaker, he is engaged across the business, academic, charity and humanitarian world. A Tutor at the Leadership Trust, he sits on the Board of 4 UK/International companies and is a Visiting/Honorary Professor at two UK Universities.
Tim has been married to Christine since 1972 and they have 3 children; Alexander, ex-Lt Cdr in the Royal Navy and now working in Industry; Gemma living and working on the Isle of Wight; and Stephen – ex-Army and now working in Government. He also has 5 grandchildren - Daniel, Harry, Katie, Eloise and Alice. Outside of them, his hobbies include reading/writing, having had a number of articles and book chapters published.