I love words.

If you need high quality writing for your charity or business, I can help.

My services include:

  • Ghost-writing, copy writing, editing and proof-reading;

  • Fundraising applications and bid-writing;

  • Guidance on how your charity can spread its message, look after its supporters, and raise more money;

  • Advice to help you produce your own high quality writing;

  • Art, illustration, and graphic design services.

Let’s have a chat and see how we can work together.

If you would like to know more about my experience, I’m happy to email you my full CV.

Alternatively, visit my profile on LinkedIn or read on for a few of the highlights…

Freelance writer and charity fundraiser

2020 - present

The Momentum Mindset, co-written with Vicki Main, was published in April 2023 and is available at GoVLM.com.

I share some of the details of my client work in my blog.

You can read - and sit on! - one of my pieces, “Haiku Bench”, created for Solent Showcase Gallery and GO! Southampton’s BENCH project, on Southampton’s Above Bar.

Lonely Goat Running Club

2018 - present

I provide content writing and operations management services to this thriving online running community.

We have a mission to ‘support and inspire each other, and achieve personal goals together’. I am responsible for producing content that attracts, engages and inspires our community. I write articles, from technical training advice to news and member-engagement pieces.

I manage and have editorial oversight over the social media output. Working with the directors, I plan and schedule the cross-channel content calendar and am working on the next stage of Lonely Goat’s growth.

I was invited to become a founding committee member having established the Southern Trusts Fundraisers’ Union (below).

I was the coordinator and panel moderator of “In Conversation with the Funders” held at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton in 2019. I am one of the co-hosts of our regular training and networking events.

Wetwheels

2016 - 2020

I worked as the Grants & Trusts Fundraising Manager at this growing charity that improves disabled people’s physical and mental wellbeing by providing barrier-free boating experiences on board specially-designed, custom-built accessible powerboats.

I established and managed the charitable trusts and foundations income stream. I am most proud of our six-figure Sport England success and multi-year project grants. I led or supported other fundraising activities (including high net worth individuals, corporate partnerships, events and community fundraising), all reporting, and visits by funders.

I was a project lead on the launch of the new website and social media channels. I sat on the Development Sub-Committee alongside trustees, designing the future strategy. I overhauled the annual report, reworking it to function as a fundraising resource.

Like the Wind magazine

2015 - 2020

LtW is a beautifully illustrated quarterly magazine for runners.

I have had three articles published: “By dawn’s early light”, for which I did the illustration, “The pain of the PB”, and “Maratón de Fugue”. Additionally, I contributed to ‘Point Two’, a special feature on marathons.

I have also illustrated five articles by other writers: “Call of duty”, “Breathing was loving”, “A strange gift”, “The best laid plans” and “The bird diviner”.

Motivated by a lack of opportunities to meet and learn from other fundraisers, I founded and coordinated an informal networking group and email list for local fundraisers.

Southern Trusts Fundraisers’ Union

2014 - 2020

I was the Major Grants & Trusts Coordinator of this charity that gives people of mixed abilities and circumstances the freedom to explore their potential and place in the world through inclusive adventures at sea.

I was responsible for a £500,000+ per year charitable trusts and foundations income stream. I identified and cultivated potential funders while maintaining relationships with a large portfolio of established supporters, including some who had given for more than 30 years.

I have an MA in History from the University of Southampton, and a BA in History from the University of Leicester and La Trobe University, Melbourne. I believe it’s important to always keep learning and have completed the following courses:

  • ‘Made to be broken’: Experimental Fiction short course - University of Southampton;

  • Advanced Bid Writing - NFP Workshops;

  • Real Life Leadership - Ashridge Executive Education, Hult Business School.

  • Skilled Grantseeker programme - Fundraising Training Ltd. (led by Bill Bruty).

A flash fiction piece I wrote won first prize at the 2015 SO: To Speak literary festival in Southampton. It was later published in Kolymbáo, a zine created to raise money to help refugees and migrants in Dunkirk. I am also working on a couple of novels, and an essay on my Grandad’s role in building a Yugoslavian railway.

I dabble with the visual arts and film photography, and love reading.

I run (2:58’52” at the 2018 Valencia Marathon is the result I’m most proud of) and am re-learning how to surf and skateboard. I also enjoy eating, listening to live music, and campervan adventures with my wife.

I have pledged to give one per cent of my income to environmental causes by joining 1% for the Planet as an individual member.

Courses and training

Outside of work, I write for fun

I’m not always sat at my desk

The photo of me at the top of this page is by the ever-excellent Martin Allen.