Meet team f⁶it

f⁶it is powered by a passionate and dedicated team committed to creating inclusive and accessible fitness, support, clubs and leisure opportunities for children and young people with disabilities and additional needs, alongside their family and friends. Our team includes 7 Trustees who provide strategic guidance and governance, employed staff who passionately deliver our wide range of activities, and a fantastic group of volunteers who bring energy, skills and heart to everything we do. Together, we work to build a welcoming community where everyone can thrive, have fun and feel supported.

Portrait of George Sobek smiling with short hair and a beard, wearing a grey hoodie, standing against a light background.

George Sobek

George worked in the financial and capital markets for more than 20 years, serving as CEO, COO, Board Director and Executive Officer of multiple companies operating within the global financial markets. An expert in regulatory compliance, operational risk and corporate governance, George has been responsible for developing and implementing business strategies and operational processes for some of the world’s leading financial institutions and currently undertakes board advisory roles for three early-stage companies. George has held numerous roles in the voluntary sector as a school governor and is currently a local parish councillor. George lives in Surrey with his wife and three children aged 11, 12 and 14 years old. In his spare time, George enjoys spending time with his family and coaching his son's rugby.

Chair of Trustees

Portrait of Anel van der Merwe smiling with straight brown hair, wearing a green patterned dress, standing against a light background.

Anel van der Merwe

Anel is a children’s physiotherapist and has over 25 years’ experience of working with children with a wide variety of disabilities and additional needs. Through her work as a physiotherapist, she became aware of the lack of availability and accessibility of activities and support for children with disabilities and additional needs and their families in the local community. In 2017-2018 Anel consulted various families that have children with disabilities and additional needs, this inspired her to create a project to address the wider need of this community. Anel is passionate in serving this community and is determined to make a change in the lives of families with children with disabilities and additional needs in our local community. Anel champions true inclusion and wants to ensure that children/young people of ALL abilities can access activities in the community alongside their family and friends. In her spare time, Anel loves spending time with her husband and two girls, exploring the beautiful countryside, paddle boarding and staying active.

Trustee
Founder of f⁶it

Portrait of Stuart Crouch smiling. He is bald with a short grey beard, wearing a navy blue top over a white T-shirt, standing against a light background.

Stuart Crouch

Stu enjoyed a career in finance and spent 25 years working for Citibank, eventually becoming Chief Investment Officer. He has experience of governance, board interaction, financial strategy, risk management and the establishment of new businesses and teams. Since retiring he has been fortunate to volunteer and work with several charities and see the amazing impact on the beneficiaries, the community and the volunteers. Stu lives in Guildford with his family and their dog. He also spends way too much time outdoor swimming.

Trustee - Treasurer

Portrait of Marylou Honey. She is smiling with short light brown hair, wearing a white collared shirt and a pale grey jumper, standing against a light background.

Marylou Honey

Marylou has had a successful career in HR. She has worked within complex global organisations as well as smaller companies, collaborating with leadership teams to meet business objectives. Her areas of expertise include: recruitment; employment law; performance and employee development; compensation planning; developing HR policies, procedures and employee handbooks. Marylou retired in 2023 and looks forward to using her HR skills and experiences to build f⁶it and support the ambitious plans to deliver support, fitness, clubs and leisure activities to more children and young people with disabilities and additional needs and their families. Marylou lives in Haslemere and enjoys skiing, mountain-biking and spending time with her family and friends.

Trustee - HR

Portrait of Oliver Wells. He is a smiling older man with short grey hair and glasses, wearing a dark jumper over a teal collared shirt, standing against a light background.

Oliver Wells

Oliver worked in the oil industry for almost 40 years and travelled extensively. Since retiring he has worked for several charities including Citizens Advice, Probation Service, Victim Support and Sported. It was through Sported that he met Anel and the f⁶it team and subsequently became a Trustee. Oliver is married with 3 grown up children.

Trustee

Anele Griessel

Anele is an occupational therapist with 30 years of experience. She brings her knowledge and experience working with families of children with additional needs, along with her understanding of developmental needs and neurodiversity. Playing and the ethos of f⁶it, which enables families to have fun together, is a particular passion. Anele lives in Warwickshire. She has two adult children who are just starting their careers. Outside of work, family life keeps her busy. She also enjoys travelling, walking, and occasionally going to the gym. 

Trustee

Michelle Wiltshire

Michelle is a creative and passionate member of the f⁶it team, bringing an artistic approach and a deep commitment to supporting families. As a parent caring for her disabled child, she understands first-hand the challenges many families face and uses that experience to help shape compassionate, meaningful support within our community.

Social Media Officer

Claire Darby

Claire is a dispute resolution solicitor with 20 years of legal experience and is co-owner of Pearson Hards solicitors in New Malden. She has worked with both individuals and businesses across a wide range of matters, and brings practical judgement, problem solving skills and a thoughtful approach to her role as a trustee. Claire also brings valuable personal insight through her lived experience as the parent of her daughter Grace who lives with cerebral palsy. She understands first-hand the importance of support, advocacy and creating inclusive opportunities for children and families navigating additional needs. Claire lives in Surrey with her husband and two children. Outside of work, family life keeps her busy, and when time allows she enjoys Pilates, spending time with friends and making the most of family time together.

Trustee

Laura Baxter

Laura joined f⁶it as Operations Manager in early 2026. She works behind the scenes to help build strong, stable operations that support the charity’s growth - so more disabled children and young people can access inclusive activities and support with their families. Laura brings over 26 years of experience from the disability and leisure voluntary sectors, with inclusion at the heart of her work. She has supported organisations through periods of growth and change, helping to scale delivery while strengthening culture, compliance, and learning and development. She is passionate about creating systems and environments that allow people and programmes to flourish, enabling f⁶it to grow sustainably while staying true to its values and community‑focused approach. Laura is driven by a belief that inclusive, well‑run services make a real difference to families’ everyday lives.

Operations Manager

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Meagan Rees

Meagan has a background in the media, education and charity sectors. For several years she worked for an NGO managing strategic partnerships, programme delivery, fundraising, and communications. She also has experience working for a small charity focused on inclusive and impactful sports coaching apprenticeships. Meagan’s son has been diagnosed with ASD, and she has experienced first-hand the need, value and joy of the f⁶it community and activities.

Fundraising Officer

Laura Attwater

Laura is f⁶it’s Fundraising Manager, having joined the team in April 2026. With over a decade in the charity sector, fundraising through trusts, major donors and heading up capital campaigns, she was excited to join a young but ambitious charity whose mission deeply resonated with her. In her time away from work, Laura loves spending time with her two young children and is a keen runner and proud member of her local ladies’ football team!

Fundraising Manager

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