“KidsOut is a truly incredible charity. They support children going through some of the toughest times imaginable and never discriminate or judge who is more in need but simply strive to support every child they possibly can. It only takes seeing the smile on some of the children’s faces at the National Day Out or to hear how grateful a mother and child were to receive a Toy Box to understand what KidsOut represent.

“I support KidsOut because they are the Fun and Happiness charity—such simple things make such a massive difference.”

Chris has been working for Reed Specialist Recruitment in numerous roles for over a decade. With experience in a wide range of positions, his focus has been on start up businesses, strategy and management development. Sitting on the senior management team for Reed Technology, Chris runs a business unit turning over in excess of £20 million a year. He has experience taking part in many media opportunities including BBC Radio, ITV News and BBC Breakfast, he is also certified in NLP and with the CMI.

Chris was born in London and grew up in Solihull, West Midlands where he still lives with his wife Kate and young daughter Hannah. Chris enjoys spending his spare time with his close friends and family, and occasionally playing the odd round of golf.

National Rotary KidsOut Day Coordinator
KidsOut trustee

As a committed Rotarian and KidsOut Trustee, on 1st July 2016 Steve was appointed as to assist UK Rotary Clubs and members to ensure the National Rotary KidsOut Day continues to be a success and provides even more kids with a great day out whether it be on the traditional second Wednesday in June, first Tuesday in December or any other date!

Steve Cartwright joined Rotary International in 2002, becoming District 1060 (Heart of England) Governor for 2012/2013, he is passionate about Rotary ideals and “putting something back into the community”, especially helping those most in need. With his undoubted enthusiasm and motivation, the Rotary motto “Service above Self” describes Steve’s total commitment.

The National Rotary KidsOut Day at Drayton Manor Park provides a successful and super venue for everyone not just the kids, and Steve strives to ensure that this annual event goes from strength to strength.

He is married to wife Gail, a member of British Mensa and has been an active football referee for over 30 years. As a member of St John Ambulance for many years, and was ultimately responsible for organising the First Aid and Medical Services for 13 years at the V Music Festival (Weston Park), being honoured as a ‘Serving Brother (Officer) of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem’.

Ian’s connection to KidsOut is very much a family one – his late father co-founded the charity, his mother was a Trustee for many years, and his brother is a KidsOut Ambassador.

Ian’s background is in corporate financial services where he began his career as an underwriter before going on to lead a pan-European business unit for one of the world’s leading product insurance brands.

Having retired from corporate life in 2016, Ian went on to co-found what has grown to become one of the UK’s leading property development training companies.

Based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, with 44 years’ work experience, I am the Founding Director of Sentinel Sustainability Limited, a consultancy, providing advice to businesses on how to be more sustainable.

I started my working life as an apprentice in 1980, which was followed by success in a further seventeen roles to date. I have held senior positions in the world of design, manufacturing, Quality, services and customer facing domains and led international integration programs and architected international corporate social responsibility and sustainability programs.

A great passion of mine is the development of community engagement programs and driving Digital Inclusion programs to overcome the digital divide for the underserved.

My community engagement experience has included the following areas:

• Kids Out UK – Fundraising, volunteering, trolley-dash, event-organisation contributor, ‘Eng Kids’ events, Giving Tree, donor and more recently, Member of the Board of Trustees.
• Academy Achievers – Hosting School visits to provide insights to STEM careers for young, underserved women in London, visiting underserved schools to distribute donated laptops.
• Kenilworth Town Council – Elected Councillor in 2023, representing the residents of the Dalehouse Ward of Kenilworth. Chair of the Climate Emergency Working Group, Vice-Chair of the English Heritage Liaison group, Vice-chair of the Finance and General Services committee, member of the Cycling Delivery working group.
• Kenilworth Lions – Volunteering in support of charity fundraising events
• Digital Inclusion – Leadership of the Ciena program to overcome the digital divide for underserved communities internationally
• Ciena Cares – Program leadership spanning, volunteering (in-person and virtual), donations and rewards
• NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Centre – Volunteer marshal, screening, advising and guiding patients through the vaccination process

When not volunteering, I am a keen David Bowie fan, I enjoy blowing my own trumpet, creative art in many forms and cruising the oceans.

Why KidsOut?

One of my first experiences of KidsOut was racing around the Toy Fair at Olympia, precariously balancing all the wonderful toys we had collected from the display stands in a shopping trolley, so that they could bring joy to the thousands of children in refuges supported by Kids Out. I am proud to have supported the charity for many years in lots of different ways, but always with the same aim, to bring smiles to the faces of the children in need.

I am Kevin Mack currently an Operations Director for Company Moves and Storage, a commercial relocation company, of which I am part owner. This is my second career, having spent 27 years working in the food industry, working my way up to Head Chef with a prominent bank, being responsible for the hospitality.

This was truly great fun and gave me the opportunity to cook for and meet many notable people. Then as an Executive for a restaurant company, compiling menus, training and opening several sites.Then approached to join my current company, which has been an exhilarating experience but most enjoyable.

“This led me to Round Table, for a few years, then Rotary, where I first experienced the KidsOut National Day Out. Since then it has been close to me and even more so when Peter Jarvis OBE used to visit our event in June. When a cd was made to promote KidsOut I was invited to appear, scary but I am told very successful. Through Rotary I was asked by Gordon to become an ambassador, it was a simple answer to say yes.”

I have two children, Jo and Chris, Jo is married and I also have a wonderful granddaughter Katie. My past times, when I have time are golf and following Crystal Palace, well someone has too.

David spent most of his working life in the motor industry until, in 1999, taking a position as Compliance Officer with a Finance and Mortgage Company. Retiring in 2009 he has concentrated on Rotary, Charity, travel and sport, roughly in that order! He was District Governor of Rotary in London 2014 / 2015.

1993 – 1998 A School Governor at a school catering for children with learning difficulties and special needs.

2000 – 2017 Member of The Anglo Ecuadorian Society

2008 Appointed a Freeman of The City of London

2014 – 2016 Speaker and Ambassador of The Silver Line Charity.

He will take part in almost any sport, often with more enthusiasm than ability!