About Elifar
The name ELIFAR stands for Every Life Is For A Reason, a philosophy which serves to remind us all that everyone deserves to enjoy the minimum standards of comfort and happiness in life, though for those with severe disability these are often not easily achieved.
The financial, physical and emotional cost to them and their families is enormous and any help we can give will often be life changing, and always gratefully received.

Who are we?
The Elifar Foundation is a charity run almost entirely by volunteers. It aims to help improve the quality of life mainly of profoundly disabled children and young adults, whether living at home or in residential care, but we will also consider applications from children and adults of all ages with any form of physical or learning disability.
We fund the purchase of a wide range of specialised equipment, therapies and respite, which would otherwise be unavailable because of a lack of funds or because there is no statutory provision.

Founder
Hilary Marsden 1951-2004

During the mid-70ʼs a young Registered General Nurse relocated to Hampshire and started work in a local Nursing home. The conditions within the Home were appalling; she made futile attempts at improvement but still went home and cried each night for the plight of the disabled children. Finding a bale of donated white cloth in the basement, she was industrious at home and sewed cot-sheets to cover the previously slept-on bare mattresses. The homeowner was angry at the additional work and cost of laundering “if you think you can do a better job…” and so the gauntlet was proffered and the story of Elifar begins…

Initially leasing the business, basic changes (yet dramatic outcomes) were implemented – hot water, clean clothing, nutritional food, new décor, and most importantly, staff who cared! Her sheer determination that all people, irrespective of age or ability, were entitled to a high quality of life, became (and remained) her motivation.

From 1978, Hilary Marsden worked tirelessly, and successfully established a group of nursing and residential care homes on the Hampshire/Surrey borders that were renowned for providing quality lifetime care; she named the company Elifar- Every Life Is For A Reason.

Hilary achieved and maintained her ideals yet, always driven by her distressing memories, she was passionately committed and constantly strived to improve awareness and attitudes of others toward learning disabilities – and not just in the UK. Her involvement with various overseas charities to provide invaluable medical knowledge and equipment.

Hilaryʼs work made a fundamental difference, not only to the lives of the people she looked after but also their parents whose lives had been turned upside down with the pressures of trying to meet the needs of a disabled child at home. One of these grateful parents was Paul Cawood, two of whose children had been cared for by Elifar. Inspired by the philosophies and values that Hilary had set in Elifar, Paul suggested setting up a charity for the benefit of a greater number of disadvantaged individuals. With her usual determination and enthusiasm she accepted the challenge and together they founded the Elifar Foundation in 1998 recognising the need to help provide essential funds unavailable from the authorities.

Many were devastated when Hilary passed away in 2004. However, her enthusiasm, inspiration and visions are realised through the continued work of the Trustees, and many other volunteers, who continue to advocate the principles of the organisation, enabling the Elifar Foundation to help many individuals and their families to enjoy an improved quality of life.

Patron
Colonel Bob Stewart DSO

Colonel Bob Stewart is best known for his time as the Commander of the British Forces in Bosnia during 1992/3 for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry. Thereafter he was appointed Chief of Policy & Strategy at NATO’s Military Headquaters in Europe. A post which he held until he left the army in 1996. For the following 3 years he was Senior Consultant for Public Affairs at Hill & Knowlton (UK) Ltd. In 1998 he became Managing Director of WorldSpace (UK) Ltd with responsibility for establishing satellite broadcasting worldwide. For the last 8 years he has been a freelance writer, broadcaster and lecturer.

After the Army he was a political consultant dealing with Westminster for three years. He has spoken five times at various Conservative Party conferences – including opening the main Defence debate. In 2010 he was successfully elected as the Conservative representative for Beckenham and became a member of Parliament in the elections of May 2011.

Despite his work related commitments Colonel Bob has been and remains a strong advocate for the work of the ELIFAR foundation and always keen to support our work.

Trustees
Paul Cawood BSc MRICS – Chairman & Trustee (Volunteer)

Paul has 30 years experience in commercial property and is a director of Balmain Asset Management which is an investor and asset manager of shopping centres. He is the father of three children and stepfather of four. Two of his children, Louisa and Harry, were born with severe neurological disability and died young. They were a big part of the inspiration for The Elifar Foundation which Paul co-founded in 1998. Paul is married to Luchie and they live in south-west London. Luchie and the boys, Sam, Ben, Ned, Alex and Jamie are all actively involved in fundraising for the Foundation.

Deborah Pearson – Treasurer & Trustee (Volunteer)

Deborah is a Chartered Accountant with many years working in the public and charity sectors. She has lectured on Corporate Governance and Charity Accounting. She now runs her own Chartered Accountancy practice in London . She is also a Council Member on the Institute Of Educations Board and Chairs their Finance Committee. She is also Chair of the Trustees of Wandsworth Women’s Aid and works with the Princes Trust and Tax Help for Older People

Jane Landy BA (Hons) – Trustee (Volunteer)

Jane has a degree in Law and English Literature. She has over 25 years experience in the residential property profession having worked for companies such as Cluttons London Residential and Hamptons International. In 2005 she set up Landmark Solutions, a Training , Development and Management Consultancy of which she is a director. Jane is married to Adam Markwell, they have two children, Harriet and Tom and live in South West London. She has been a trustee for the Elifar Foundation since its formation in 1998 and the whole family are active contributors to the charity.

Penny Leigh RNMH – Trustee (Volunteer)

Penny joined the Foundation team in 2003. She qualifed as a Registered Nurse for Learning Disabilities in 1991 and has a wealth of experience in the management of children and adults with both physical and learning dificulties in a variety of settings.
Penny lives in Hampshire with her husband and teenage son who are both active in raising funds for the charity, their favourite events being the annual 25 mile bike ride and the Brighton Marathon.