kelly@tinylives.org.uk
We’re dedicated to Neonatal families
Help us make
an impact.

Born in 1983, ‘Tiny Lives’ was the brain child of Dr Hans Steiner, a paediatrician who with Dr Edmund Hey took care of babies at the Neonatal Unit in the Princess Mary Maternity Hospital. ‘Tiny Lives’ became the name for the charitable fund relating to the care of babies at the Princess Mary.
In 1993, the Neonatal Units at the Princess Mary Maternity Hospital and Newcastle General Hospital merged into a new unit, based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. Because each of the two units had been raising money separately, when the two units joined, the charitable funds were combined too. Until then, Tiny Lives had been held by the Special Trustees of the Newcastle Hospitals but when the new combined fund was created (still called Tiny Lives), its management was moved to the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.
By 2012, the Tiny Lives Fund had developed to the point where it needed to become a charity in its own right, rather than simply a charitable fund. In early 2013 under the name “The Tiny Lives Trust”, Tiny Lives began its life as an independent charity.
Tiny Lives has supported thousands of babies and their families over this time. Each year, the charity supports over 800 babies and their families from the RVI alone and aims to raise £580,000 a year to maintain this support.
Say Hello to the people behind Tiny Lives
kelly@tinylives.org.uk
Kelly Blakeney
Chief Executive Officer
hannah@tinylives.org.uk
Hannah Gould
Finance and Operations Manager
rachel@tinylives.org.uk
Rachel Hardwick
Fundraising & Engagement Manager
louise@tinylives.org.uk
Louise Carroll
Community Events Fundraiser
jacqui@tinylives.org.uk
Jacqui Adams
Projects Development Officer
kate@tinylives.org.uk
Kate Driver
Admin and Communications Assistant
hannah.beales@tinylives.org.uk
Hannah Beales
Finance and Admin Assistant
michelle@tinylives.org.uk
Michelle Harwood
Finance & Operations Officer
emily.corney@tinylives.org.uk
Emily Corney
Corporate Partnerships & Trust Fundraiser
Jonny Wilkinson made his name as one of the shining lights of English rugby union and is widely regarded as one of the greatest to have played the sport. He spent 12 seasons at Newcastle Falcons and became a patron of Tiny Lives in 2015, after supporting the charity for many years.
Jonny Wilkinson CBE
Tiny Lives Patron
Sophie is a Nurse on the RVI Neonatal Unit. It was a long-held career dream for her, as she spent time on the Unit as a baby after being born at just 24 weeks gestation.
Sophie Proud
Tiny Lives Ambassador
Andrew Dunsmure (Chair)
David Hall (Treasurer)
Dr. Richard Hearn
Dr. Jennifer Dixon
Joanne Carangelo-Hutchins
Jennifer Carruthers Jones
Ailie Hodgson
Sarah Southam
Which Parent-Baby Group Should You Attend?
Read MoreCaptain of Whitley Bay Golf Club Raises over £5000
Read MoreSupporting Families Beyond Discharge
Read MoreNeonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill Comes into Effect Today
Read MoreWor Flags Supports Tiny Lives with Generous Donation
Read MoreSupporting Mother-Baby Connections
Read MoreSpotlight: Mam’s Team
Read MoreDates for Sibling Support Group 2025
Read MoreTiny Lives Welcomes New Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Read MoreHow you can support a neonatal family
Read MoreTiny Lives 2025 Charity Ball
Read MoreTiny Lives Mental Health Support
Read MoreTiny Lives backed Neonatal Care Leave to roll out in April
Read More