John Burrell - Co-Founder of Angelhands
John Burrell

Co-Founder

There was nothing unusual about my earlier life, except perhaps being brought up by a single mother, which was not very common back in those days, but did give me an appreciation for the difficulties it brings and an empathy for those whose lives are not quite as they might wish, also a caring disposition due to my mother’s occupation being a nurse.

After work experiences in a wide variety of vocations I settled on IT, before I met my wife to be, started a family, then were struck by the big C.
While battling that we met Ann, a couple of days after her incident. We became good friends and have continued to be since my wife passed away.

Eighteen months after that event I was personally thrust into the position of being a secondary victim of homicide when my friend and neighbour was murdered by her husband – while I had their kids for their first ever sleep-over. Having to break the news to them the next day, then care for them for the entire next week while her family came from overseas before taking the kids back to their home country on Christmas Eve, I was drained.

After taking a couple of weeks to recuperate, I met up with Ann and, from there, we both knew we had to do what we could to help people in such situations as we had survived. So angelhands was born.
I spent ten years or so on the committee to set up the solid foundations needed and joining the board of ConnectGroups (formerly WISH) to expand our exposure and credibility. It has been a very interesting & rewarding journey.

Pleasing as it is to see angelhands still running, it’s very frustrating that such an important service is constantly struggling for funds. So I actively promote our cause at every opportunity and you will always find me on angelhands’ annual sausage sizzle fundraiser event.

I am now still doing IT, have the best relationship you could hope for with my children (well, young men now), while still keeping in touch with my late neighbours’ children, and doing all I can to enjoy life to the fullest.

angelhands