We are a small but very dedicated team, who are passionate about what we want to achieve. The team have a wide variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise but all share a common belief in the power of animals to inspire and provide therapy. Our aim to use the special bond that exists between young people and dogs to support their mental health and education is what unites us.
Founding Director
I'm Mark, a dad to 4, all grown up now with their own children, and husband to Dawn for more years than any woman should have to suffer. Most of my career was in two very different roles. After leaving school I became a zookeeper but after becoming disillusioned I left to follow my other love football, and became a coach and later a development officer.
I took early retirement in 2010 and back in 2017 I wrote my first children’s book I’m not a Pandacow featuring Monty our Newfoundland. Shortly afterwards I was invited to read the book in our local primary school and this led to over 250 free visits that Monty and I made. In this time I saw not only the effect books had on children’s development but how meeting the star of the book really enabled us to engage with them.
EMMA
Hi I’m Emma, I’m a busy mum to 4 children, four cats and two dogs. I used to work for the NHS but I gave up my job when my eldest was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and then ASD. I started our home education journey due to difficulties she had within school 5 years ago and I then started to home educate my other children as it became clear they were having problems in mainstream education. Reading has always been a big passion for me and the children. All of my children are neurodivergent and I have spent years doing various online courses to understand more to help my own family life. In doing this I developed a real passion for learning more and wanting to use this new knowledge to help SEN families and children and to help promote inclusivity for all children and young people.
DAWN
Hello I am Dawn.
I have been married to Mark for over 40 years and have 4 grown up children and 11 grandchildren. I was a stay at home mum for the early part of my children's life and then worked in childcare. I have worked for the past 17 years for the NHS. We have always had family dogs and over the years we have seen the impact they have had on our children, bringing them comfort and enjoyment, teaching them empathy and compassion. All our children had a love for books from a very early age, because we would read a story to them every night at bedtime. Reading books plays such an important part in a child's life and every child should own at least one book but sadly according to research 1 in 5 children do not! I am hoping the charity can change this.
BANDIT
This handsome fella is Bandit. He joined our family in July 2022, when he was 4 months old. Bandit loves everyone, and everyone loves Bandit! He has already visited a number of schools and received wonderful feedback about his visits. Bandit is still in training and continuing where Monty left off, those are big paws to fill, but Bandit is already proving to be very popular and doing extremely well.
The Directors
The Directors hold an important role in guiding the charity, and ensuring that we work in the best possible way.
Our Directors come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring with them a whole host of knowledge, experience and wisdom. Get to know them below.
LINN
I live in central Scotland with my husband Robin and our Newfie Merlot. I got my first Newfoundland in 1997 and quickly fell in love with the breed. I entered a few shows and met some lovely people. I was first introduced to the Sanders family in 2014 and was delighted when they agreed to let me have a puppy from them in 2016, so Merlot came to live with our Newfie Bonnie. In 2018 I joined the committee of The Newfoundland Club UK and became involved with all aspects of running a club and especially welfare. Over the years I have supported various fundraising initiatives organised by the Sanders family to benefit children throughout the country. I am delighted to be part of The Monty Project and look forward to working with them to achieve their goals.
HILARY
I'm Hilary and live in Newcastle upon Tyne. 10 years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Mark and Monty at Crufts and the positive effect on people was obvious even then, and the delight on the faces of little people when meeting Monty was wonderful. Newfies and reading have been such an important part of my life, which is why The Monty Project is so important to me. By background, I am a boring pen-pusher for the public sector but having been owned by newfies for over 20 years, I am passionate about the joy they can bring to all people. I was delighted and honoured to be asked to be a trustee for The Monty Project and look forward to working with my colleagues to make this as successful as possible.
KATY
Hello, I'm Katy.
I am married to Peter and we have two sons Ollie and Hamish. I'm a qualified teacher, have qualifications in child counselling, mindfulness and mental health. In my spare time I like to expand my knowledge and experience - so am also currently studying song therapy.
I am passionate about mental health of young people and the importance of this in society today. From my experience as a teacher and a Mum of a son with autism I realised how little support was available for the children's mental health - helping them to see their own worth and potential in a gentle way.
AMANDA
Hi I’m Amanda. I live with my husband and his guide dog Emerald and is shown in the photo. My background is in education, specifically children and young people with additional needs. I feel passionate about giving children and young people of all abilities and backgrounds every opportunity to reach their full potential.
VACANCY
If you feel you would like to be involved and have qualities you feel would benefit and help the Charity, please get in touch.
VACANCY
If you feel you would like to be involved and have qualities you feel would benefit and help the Charity, please get in touch.
OUR PATRON
I don't think our patron really needs any introduction, I'm sure many people will recognise the legend Peter Purves from his Blue Peter days when he was one of the presenters between 1967-1978. Children would rush home from school (myself included) to find out what we were making out of sticky back plastic! Hearing those iconic words "here's one I made earlier" . The programme inspired children and encouraged them to come out of their comfort zone, to be brave and seek adventure! And how many of us dreamed of getting a Blue Peter Badge! Its a show that will go down in history as the longest running children's program in the world! Of course Peter isn't just known for being a presenter in Blue Peter, his presenting and acting career spans over 60 years. Before Blue Peter he was also in Dr Who where he played the First Doctor's companion Steven Taylor. Peter also became known as the ‘voice of Crufts’ as a result of being part of the presenting team for 41 years. Peter loves dogs and has owned 2 Newfoundland dogs himself. We feel honoured to have Peter involved in the charity.
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