About us

The Lee Spark Necrotising Fasciitis (NF) Foundation was formed after the sudden tragic and traumatic loss of 23 year old Lee Spark. We identified a need to inform, support and represent the interests of patients and all individuals affected by this horrific disease. The Lee Spark NF Foundation is the only registered charity based in the UK supporting all individuals who have been affected directly or indirectly by severe streptococcal infections or necrotising fasciitis.

Doreen Marsden - Trustee and Founder

Doreen has campaigned endlessly to raise awareness of necrotising fasciitis by attending many conferences, NHS Seminars, doing media interviews and attending International Symposiums on Streptococci and Streptococcal diseases.

Pat Hood - Trustee and Secretary

Pat had been a Medical Secretary most of her working career. She retired a few years ago and Doreen having worked with Pat for a while asked if she would like to continue her secretarial skills by becoming involved with the Charity – she said yes and became the charity secretary in June 2004

Mark Armstrong - Trustee and Treasurer

Mark is a family friend. Mark was deeply saddened by Doreen & Chris’s loss that he asked how he could support us. Doreen asked him if he would like to become a member of our charity. He became a Treasurer in August 2000.

Suzy Larmour - Trustee

Suzy and Doreen worked as Medical Receptionists for 10 years at the same GP’s practice. They became extremely close friends. When Lee passed away Suzy was so saddened by Doreen’s loss that she supported and helped Doreen through her grief. She grew to know a lot of the Charity’s aims and asked if she could become a Trustee in May 2006.

Stephanie Walker - Trustee

Stephanie Walker is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University and is also a member of our professional team. Since surviving necrotising fasciitis in 2005, Stephanie has been using her psychological skills and knowledge to work in conjunction with the Lee Spark NF Foundation on a research project to investigate the psychological impact of necrotising fasciitis.