Our Trustees

Melanie Davies (nee Bowen)

Founder and Trustee, TREAT Trust Wales, Author & Motivational Speaker

Mel was born in Plymouth in 1964 and was adopted as a baby. She grew up in Port Talbot.

In 1980 she survived an horrific motorcycle accident which paralysed her from the chest down

In 1982 she underwent a course of intensive rehabilitation at RAF Chessington where she saw many injured service personnel both from the troubles in Northern Ireland and those returning from the Falklands conflict

The opportunities at RAF Chessington served to underline the deficiencies of rehabilitation services in South Wales.

Mel has been involved in a variety of charitable endeavours both in the UK and US. She became a trustee of the Wales Sports Centre for the Disabled in Cardiff, and forged the link allowing patients from Rookwood Hospital to be brought there to use the modern equipment in socially inclusive surroundings, a scheme which continues to this day.

But for those returning to their own homes there was nothing remotely comparable. The concept for TREAT Trust Wales was born.

After Mel experienced breast cancer in 2000, the strategy for TREAT was broadened to include not only those with disability but anyone with an array of life-changing conditions, all of whom might benefit from physical and social re-inclusion in society. TREAT will be proud to include our injured servicemen and women.

“Never Say Die”, Mel’s best-selling autobiography was published by Harper Collins in 2009; her share of the royalties goes in its entirety to TREAT Trust Wales.

After surviving a second breast cancer in 2011, she went on to win The Joshua Foundation Memorial Prize for outstanding contribution of a businesswoman in charity work and later the same year The Special Recognition Award at The Wave and Swansea Sound Local Hero Awards.

In May 2012, Mel had the honour of carrying the Olympic torch for 600 metres (a double distance) through Swansea City Centre.

She is blissfully married to Mike, a retired Orthopaedic Surgeon and is “Mum” to two ridiculously loving Saint Bernard dogs.

Mike Davies

Chairman and Trustee, TREAT Trust Wales

Born 1941 in Aberystwyth, I was educated at Cardiff High School, University College, Oxford and University College Hospital, London and after obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons underwent my Specialist Training in Orthopaedics in Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea.

I was appointed Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Neath General Hospital in 1979 and, following the transfer of major trauma services, also at Morriston Hospital, Swansea in 1995.

Having a special interest in sporting injuries and a passion for Rugby, I was pleased to serve as Surgeon to Neath RFC, Aberavon RFC, the Welsh Youth Rugby Union and the Welsh under-19 junior World Cup Squads.

I married Karin in 1965 and we had three children, Lizanne, Phil and Chris. I am the proud grandfather of Benjamin Glyndwr.

Sadly, Karin did not live to see him, having died following a stroke shortly before my retirement in 2001.

In 2004, I married Mel whose autobiography, “Never say Die”, we have recently completed and were delighted that it is to be published by Harper Collins in July.

Meyrick Sheen

Vice President & Trustee

I was born 1940 and educated at Dyffryn Grammar School Port Talbot, Neath Technical College and Newport & Monmouthshire College of Education (Business Studies).

My career was in personnel management working for a number of National and International Organisations within the UK. Prior to retirement in 2007, I spent ten years in HR Consultancy covering Administration, Recruitment, Employee Relations, Training and Employment Tribunal Advocacy.

In 1961, I married Irene and we had two children Michael and Joanne. We have three grand-children, Lily Mo, Ellis and Nia.

I have been involved in assisting many charities locally and nationally in the capacity of Presenter, as a Master of Ceremonies and in my role of 'International Lookalike' – Jack Nicholson.

Learning of TREAT’s strategic concept and being impressed by the in-depth Feasibility Study / Draft Charity Business Plan I became the charity’s Vice-President in 2007.

I was proud when my son, Michael, became a Patron and of his subsequent acceptance of the invitation to become TREAT’s President.

Mike Ward (Wardy)

Trustee TREAT Trust Wales

Hi Everyone!

I was born in 1962 in Gorseinon (a town on the outskirts of Swansea in South Wales).

I became quadriplegic in 1983 following a diving accident.  After a little over 4 months I was discharged from the rehab hospital (Rookwood, Llandaff) with little or no prospects of being able to maintain or improve my physical strength, health and wellbeing.   There was simply nowhere that offered a facility that I could exercise in, i.e. accessible equipment and the support I need to use such equipment.

It 2002 following a move to the Swansea City Centre I now attend a gym that fully suits my needs, a facility which is only accessible through a doctor’s referral.

I’m a Tenant Board Member for Coastal Housing Association with a main interest in supported and adapted accommodation.  I’m also Treasurer and Committee Member for the Swansea Disability Forum having a keen and personal interest in ways to improve quality of life for those with a disability

I will always remain enthusiastic about anything that cries out ‘Fully Inclusive’ and simply ‘Access for everyone’, and was delighted to be asked to become a Trustee of Treat Trust Wales.

Here’s to a ‘healthier future’ for ‘Everyone’!

Jane Boyes

Trustee TREAT Trust Wales

Jane Boyes is Managing Director and Chairman of Boyes Rees Architects, one of Wales’ largest and most dynamic architectural practices.

A graduate from the Welsh School of Architecture, after achieving her architectural qualifications, Jane successfully pioneered within the industry and, in 1994 went on to take over the practice where she then worked  (HDW Architects)  in a management buy-out. This led to the birth of Boyes Rees Architects.

Strategically managing and growing the practice, Boyes Rees has gone on to design a host of landmark and award-winning buildings throughout the country, both within private and public sector, with Jane at the helm of the business.

Winner of the title ‘Welsh Woman of the Year 2008’ in the category for construction and the built environment, individually, Jane has contributed to and facilitated the design of buildings across healthcare, commercial, residential, education, leisure, industrial sectors throughout the UK. Through this work, she has demonstrated a particular interest and involvement in healthcare design and was a key designer for the celebrated Children's Hospital for Wales as well as a host of healthcare projects for clients across South and West Wales, which, ultimately, aim to benefit the lives of the local communities which they serve.

As well as concentrating on her own design practice and its business needs, Jane is proactive in bringing benefits to collegues, co-workers and competitors alike within the industry, dedicating time to her active roles within organisations including the National Association of Women in Property, the Forum for the Built Environment, the Concrete Society, and the Construction Skills Network. All of these national networking forums aim to improve industry links for their members and Jane contributes by helping to drive initiatives forward at regional level.

Dougie Russell

Trustee TREAT Trust Wales

Becky Chunisingh

Trustee TREAT Trust Wales

Born in Dorset on the South Coast of England I moved to Wales in 2007. My career began within the leisure operations and management industry when I gained first hand experience of managing traditional leisure centres. I then moved into the field of Sports Development, based in Guildford, followed by a step up to Sport Wales for a more strategic role within the West Region.

I am an enthusiastic advocate of sport and exercise, particularly in the outdoors, and spend as much time as possible out and about. I love mountain biking and running, kayaking and camping.

 In 2009 my husband, Kevin, was injured in a kite surfing accident which left him a Tetraplegic, and paralysed from the chest down. I am now his full time Carer, having left employment to do so. I therefore am fully aware of the issues that wives of the injured face, and those of carers. 3 ½ years on from the accident, we are slowly regaining our life. But we have been left in no doubt that the opportunities for those with a disability, particularly those who wish to remain active, are either non -existent or carry a very high price tag.

I would be happy to chat with people who are going through a similar situation, to provide any help or advice that they may find useful.

Iona Collins

Trustee TREAT Trust Wales