People working in United Kingdom

Details of our organisation members, committee members and trustees – their names, roles and brief biographies.

Chris Byrne

chris byrne trustee north wales representative
Promotes HHI in North Wales and North West to inform people of HHI's work and encourage more to support the charity

Chris worked in IT for most of his career before taking early retirement in 2008. He worked in almost all aspects of IT ranging from operating systems, systems programming to programme delivery and transformation. Most people retire to ‘spend more time with the family’ and Chris was no exception however he was also drawn to HHI. Chris was aware of HHI almost since it started, through his Church – Rivertown URC in Shotton North Wales and a growing friendship with Ron Prosser. Chris felt called to give up some of his time and shift emphasis from supporter to volunteer worker. Chris has had the privilege of visiting both Zambia and India to see how HHI operates first hand. His role as North Wales and Wirral representative has enabled HHI to reach out to many new people and organisations and encourage more to support HHI in its work. Chris is also a Trustee.

Working in  

Edmund Plummer

Edmund Plummer - Chair of HHI UK Trustees

Edmund first heard about HHI when Ron Prosser was raising money to provide a doctor and medicines for the clinic at Mpongwe. Then in 2000 he was asked to become a trustee, and he has maintained this role ever since. His involvement with HHI has gradually increased since then. In 2007 he went out to India with Ron and some others for the first time; this turned out to be a turning point for Edmund – he fell in love with the country and its people. Ron asked him to take over responsibility for HHI’s work in India, which he was very happy to do. Finally, in 2010, Edmund was elected chairman of the trustees when Ron retired.

Edmund is married and has three teenage sons. He works at the UK Intellectual Property Office in Newport, examining patent applications. In his spare time he is on the leadership team of Nant Coch church in Newport; leading a Bible Study group and preaching occasionally. He is also a trustee of Nant Coch and Cwtch Ministries. Edmund enjoys listening to classical music, reading, DIY and watching aircraft.

Working in  

John Spurrier-Davies

John Spurrier-Davies' photo
Webmaster & Database Manager

John is 62 years old, a former Primary school teacher at Clydach Primary School near Abergavenny and former head teacher at Emmanuel Christian School, Abercarn. He worships at Penylan Baptist Church, Newport, where he leads Bible Study, and preaches about once a month, although he was brought up in the Open Brethren, at Nant Coch Church, Newport. He is married to Lorna, who also assists with HHI functions.

Prior to teaching John was in a scientific capacity as quality control, research and development chemist. He has known Ron Prosser since about 1970 and has been involved with HHI from 2001 – 2002, when Ron asked him to help with the IT work in the office. Since then John has become the Webmaster and also the database manager. He is a member of the Trustees and Management committees, and, as with the other members of the Trustees and Management committees, helps out in whatever way is required.

Working in  

Jute Williams

Jute Williams' photo
HHI UK Administrator

Jute's interest in HHI was aroused when she moved as a family to Newport in 1997 and met Ron Prosser through Sunday Morning Worship in Newport URC Church. Gradually becoming more involved as she followed how HHI developed from its early beginnings in Mpongwe to the opening of a centre in Monze, Zambia. Jute has been privileged to visit Monze on many occasions with Ron as a supporter and observer. For a few years she has worked along side Ron as a volunteer becoming familiar with the churches, organisations and individuals who support HHI. With Ron's retirement from the day to day running of HHI Jute has been responsible for the administration of HHI in the UK and coordinating the work in Zambia. She does this as an unpaid volunteer two days a week and teaches as primary school teacher three days a week. However, Jute says she "would not be able to keep up with all the work in HHI if it wasn't for the team of dedicated volunteers who work with me."

HHI has taught Jute many things, not least of all how to give talks and powerpoint presentations for young and old and how to deal with financial matters in various currencies. But it has also taught her that God answers prayers. The number of times the needs of HHI have been met through prayer are too many to mention. Working for HHI and witnessing the work in action with the Zambian people who have so little has deepened and strengthened Jute's faith. In 2006 she was baptised in the River Magoyu in the Monze district.

Every time Jute is able to tell supporters in the UK exactly who has benefited directly from their money or donated item, whether it is in India or in Zambia, it makes her smile and want to continue with the work of HHI.

Working in  

Mike Hopkin

Mike Hopkin
Logistics Officer

After 35 years designing computer systems for the largest local authority in Wales Mike took early retirement with a planned leisurely decline into the sunset years. Following an appeal in 2003 by Ron Prosser for assistance with the ever growing workload of HHI Mike offered his services. He was happy to undertake the menial tasks of printing, collating and despatching newsletters etc, writing the odd acknowledgement, answering the phone and being a general dogsbody. During this time many people were giving Ron items they felt would be useful in Zambia, and these were stored in the basement of Victoria Road URC, Ron's home church. It soon became obvious that we had a problem. There was no way we could post these to Zambia, and the collection kept growing. A container was the only answer. We made investigations, decided to go for it... and that was the start of my new role in HHI – Logistics Officer; a grand title for a glorified rag and bone man.

Working in