Meet Cheryl Piper from Rockinghorse

We’re introducing you to the team here at Rockinghorse. Find out a little bit more...

Cheryl has worked at Rockinghorse for seven years.

We’re introducing you to the team here at Rockinghorse. Find out a little bit more about the people behind the charity…

Many of our supporters think that we are a large organisation, but we are actually a small team of just eight staff – four of whom work part time. We pride ourselves on working closely with local businesses, schools, community groups and individuals who support us.

Within our team, there are four members of staff who manage various fundraising disciplines. They are a Corporate Fundraising Manager, Schools and Community Fundraising Manager, Challenge Events Fundraising Manager, and an Events Fundraising Manager.

Our Chief Executive heads up the remaining members of the team, alongside the Finance Manager and PR and Communications Manager, and a Charity Administrator.

In the fourth instalment of a series of blogs featuring the Rockinghorse team, meet Cheryl Piper, PR and Communications Manager…

What does a PR and Communications Manager do?

Cheryl is responsible for all the public relations, communications and marketing activity at Rockinghorse. She works with local press and media to raise the charity’s profile and to share all our great fundraising news and events.

Working alongside the fundraising team, the role is busy and varied. Cheryl writes and distributes press releases and liaises with local, regional and national press to gain exposure for Rockinghorse. She is also responsible for populating our website and social media channels. Her job includes creating daily content and keeping supporters up to date with all the latest Rockinghorse news, projects and events.

Communications are also key to Cheryl’s role. She looks after the monthly eNewsletters and annual Christmas appeals and project reports. Attending key Rockinghorse events is another part of the role and she’s become a dab hand at taking photos!

Cheryl with sporting legend Daley Thompson, at the Best of British sporting lunch in aid of Rockinghorse.

How long has Cheryl worked at Rockinghorse and why did she want to get involved?

Cheryl has been at Rockinghorse for seven years and is one of the longest-running members of the team.

Previous to joining Rockinghorse, Cheryl trained to work in radio and was Programme Manager at Brighton’s Juice 107.2FM for eight years. Speaking about her move to the charity sector, she says, “Brighton is such a unique city and the opportunities it provides is endless. I was born in Shoreham and grew up locally in West Sussex. I am passionate about our county and supporting the communities within it.

“By working for a local radio station, you become acutely aware of the community around you. We had the privilege of working with so many fantastic causes in Brighton and beyond, working tirelessly to support those less fortunate.

“The radio industry was changing a lot and becoming less local. With that, I took up the opportunity to be part of the Rockinghorse team. My media skills, including PR, journalism and marketing, proved to be of great benefit to the charity. I am so proud to contribute to such a worthwhile cause.”

What is the best part of your job?

Cheryl says, “The motivation to perform and succeed! It is such a privilege to be part of the Rockinghorse team and ultimately, it is down to us to make sure that the charity is here for another 50 years and beyond.

“I love talking about Rockinghorse. I love writing about who we are, what we do, why we do it and the impact we have. It’s not until you see first-hand the difference Rockinghorse makes, that you can truly appreciate the impact we have, and continue to have, on so many families.

“The hospitals, respire centres, neonatal units and children’s services that we support do such phenomenal work. I am proud to be just a very small part of that.”

Cheryl (far right) joins Royal Patron, HRH Princess Alexandra, at the Queen’s Garden Party.

What is your proudest moment at Rockinghorse?

Cheryl recalls, “For me personally, it was being part of the Rockinghorse 50th anniversary in 2017. That is a year I’ll never forget! For such a small team to give away £500,000 worth of funding to local causes is quite an achievement. To be responsible for the PR and communications surrounding the year is something that I’m very proud of.

“2017 was also the year that welcomed our Royal Patron – Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra. I was one of the lucky members of the team fortunate enough to be one of her guests at the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

“During our Golden Jubilee, we were also awarded winners of the Best Website at the Sussex Digital Awards. Having worked so hard to get the new Rockinghorse website up and running for the 50th year, it was a proud moment to accept the award.”

Tell us a little more about you…

Cheryl says, “I’m 37 (very nearly 38!) and have just got married to my partner of six years, Billy. I live in a little village in West Sussex called Storrington, love horse riding and going for walks across the South Downs.”

To meet the rest of the Rockinghorse team, please click here.