Natasha with Herbie "I was very lucky to go on and have my 3rd son"
I was diagnosed with Leukaemia just 3 weeks after giving birth to my second son in 2005. I was immediately put into isolation where I spent 6 months receiving treatment. It was during this time that I wanted to turn my experience into something positive by helping other people in the same situation as myself. Leaf was founded from my hospital bed in February 2006.
Leaf has recently celebrated its fifth year and I am very proud of the work that Sara and I have achieved along with the help of our wonderful supporters. Since Sara joined the charity, it has gone from strength to strength; we make a great team and are very dedicated to our work.
I am very fortunate to have been given the all clear from Leukaemia and I have also been so lucky to have given birth to my third son in 2008. I have been given a second chance at life and I intend to ‘make a difference’ by giving others hope and support in understanding their needs from my personal experience.
In May 2011 I was announced as the ‘Special Woman’ of 2011 at The Dorset Women in Business Awards. This was such a proud moment for my family and I and I feel that I am achieving what I set out to do.
Sara Haymes Secretary & Treasurer 
I took over the role of secretary and treasurer in May 2009. I first volunteered for Leaf in 2006, shortly after Natasha founded the charity. I was inspired to volunteer after hearing Natasha’s experience with Leukaemia. In 2009 Natasha decided she wanted to move the charity forward and I was only too happy to help her with this, since then the charity has grown so much and it has been so very rewarding watching our progress. I have so much enthusiasm and motivation for the work we do, I enjoy the challenge of coming up with new fundraising ideas. Volunteering has given me the opportunity to experience so many new things in my life, it really is extremely rewarding and I would encourage anyone to spend some time volunteering. Natasha and I are very passionate about the work we carry out and look I forward to seeing many young families benefiting from our fundraising.