'From Celebrity Fundraiser to Deputy CEO'

Alison Goodman, Deputy CEO of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in the UK, recently spoke with Mark Longbottom on the Purposely Podcast about her career and the work of the charity.

Alison grew up in a community-focused family. Her father, a GP, helped set up a children’s hospice in Manchester, and her mother was awarded an MBE for her services to the community. These experiences influenced Alison’s decision to become a teacher. She worked as a primary school teacher and a special educational needs coordinator before moving into the charity sector.

Her first role in fundraising was at the Terrence Higgins Trust, where she started as a temporary community fundraiser. She stayed for 11 years, taking on different roles and eventually becoming head of major giving and celebrity manager. During this time, she worked to challenge the stigma around HIV and AIDS, collaborating with well-known supporters such as Stephen Fry.

In 2006, Alison joined Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice as fundraising director, responsible for securing funds to support its services. One of the charity’s major projects was the development of a hospice building, which opened in 2019. Named the Arc, it provides care and support for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families.

Noah’s Ark offers practical, emotional, and clinical support, working with children, their siblings, and carers. The Arc complements the hospice-at-home service, giving families the option to receive care in different settings.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the charity adapted quickly to provide end-of-life care for children leaving hospital. It also launched “Noah’s Ark on Holiday,” a scheme offering families a week’s break in fully adapted lodges, giving them time together in a different environment.

Currently, Noah’s Ark supports around 350 children and their families and hopes to reach more. The charity focuses on improving the quality of life for children, however short that life may be, and ensuring they receive compassionate end-of-life care.

Alison’s career has taken her from teaching to leading in the charity sector, always with a focus on supporting others. Under her leadership, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice continues to provide essential care for families facing difficult circumstances.

Episode Out Monday 3 March 2025