Aston Avery

Founder

My name is Aston Avery. The reason for founding Team Avery Essex is because I've been through a lot of health and medical problems through my childhood which involved having operations. I feel that I would like to give back to people that are inspiring, those that help the community, and break through barriers they thought they could never reach. I'm also an ambassador for autism charity Anna Kennedy Online. I also wanted to do some campaigning as well as within the autism sector, to make sure that we're autism aware. My name is Aston Avery and I'm autistic and proud.

Dawn Avery

Team Leader

My name is Dawn. I'm the emotional heartstrings behind Team Avery Essex. I am a proud mother and nana. I bring the emotions and artistic flair to the team and like to think I am a part of the drive behind Aston's dreams. Together, myself and Keith along with the rest of the amazing team help Aston to fufill his wishes. I project manage a lot of the team's fundraising events and plan ideas to help raise funds. Aston's dreams are the heart of what we want to achieve, and as a team I really do think we are doing it. I am so proud of what Aston has achieved, and can't wait to see what he does next.

Keith Avery

Team Leader

Hello, my name is Keith Avery. I am the father of Aston, the founder of the team, as well as his brother Aaron. My family are my world, and I am a strong supporter of everything Team Avery Essex stands for. I provide the manpower that enables Aston to carry out his discos and fundraising events. This includes transporting and building Aston's set, and any other heavy lifting work or manual labour. I have energy and empathy for each and every charity the team has supported. I am a firm leader, and I also oversee the funds raised to ensure they go to the most worthy of causes.

Mandy Richardson

Treasurer & Pamper Judge

I am Mandy Richardson, the Treasurer and a founding member of Team Avery. I first got to know the Avery family through the singing circuit where Aston and Jessica regularly sang. I was inspired by Aston's journey and the message he and his family put out about his story and everything they have experienced over the years. I have been involved with fundraising events, the Pamper Project, and have assisted Aston in his presentations at schools and continue to do so to bring awarenesss to anyone interested in finding out more about us.

Karen Ranford Hawley

Team Member & Pamper Judge

My name is Karen Hawley, a mum of three from Basildon. I became a member of Team Avery Essex when it first started. I'm also the treasurer for the Reece Hawley Foundation. I helped to found the Reece Hawley Foundation after losing my son Reece to a brain tumour at the age of 21 in 2014. I now spend my spare time helping to run the foundation and being a part of Team Avery Essex. I am a judge on the panel of Aston's Pamper Project and feel privileged to help so many other deserving people every day.

Gail Rivers

Team Member & Pamper Judge

I'm Gail. I now live in Wales where I work part time. Previous to this, I lived and worked in Basildon. Dawn and I are friends from school and I was lucky enough to reacquaint with her a few years ago. At the time, I was teaching beauty therapy and had a great interest in helping women with cancer who were undergoing treatment to look and feel better. Makeovers, pampers, even if it was just giving someone some eyebrows to make them feel comfortable. One Sunday afternoon, me and Dawn met up and decided to expand this idea, which became the pamper project you now see today. The fact that the nominees are chosen by people who love and care for them make it all the more special.