About us

Providing financial and emotional help to the families of sick children in hospital or who have sadly been bereaved.

Sincere Support has assisted hundreds of families with sick children in hospital or who have sadly been bereaved. We are an organisation, helping those who have no other means of financial support to cover the non - medical expenses that arise when a child needs to be sent to Sheffield Children's Hospital or out of town for surgery or on-going treatment. Those expenses cover a broad spectrum of needs that are individual to each family. Sometimes it is the need to look after accommodation for the months the family will be away or to cover the cost of day-care for siblings left behind while parents are with their sick child. Whatever the need, Sincere Support has always been there to help ease the financial burden the family must face.

Every family Sincere Support has helped endure a myriad of emotions from fear to frustration. Sometimes the outcome is tragic, we don't always win. The pain of losing a child is unimaginable to most of us and even more heartbreaking if it happens after months of being away from home. That reality is unbearable. It's not only the child and their families who win, by having 'more tomorrows' but all of us who have helped to make it happen.

We are able to share joy of success not only when we get the call that the surgery is over and "My child is doing great!", but every time we get a letter, a Christmas card, a picture or a thank you from a very grateful family.

Philomena Lynott

Honorary Patron - "Sadly missed never forgotten"

Philomena was our honorary patron from 2004 to her passing in 2019.

Beloved mother of the late, great Philip Parris Lynott, founder of rock band Thin Lizzy, Philomena “travelled the miles” from her home in Dublin to attend many of our events.

Her presence lit the room and her elegance overwhelmed everyone who was in her company.

She is fondly missed by us all and is forever in our hearts

Bev Lister

Beverley Lister - Founder/Coordinator

Sincere Support charity was born out of our founder/coordinator Beverley Lister who lost her son Jody James through heart disease at the age of 3 years and ten months. Jody passed away in Leeds after many appointments and operations which placed a heavy strain and financial burdens on the family. She then suffered with the birth of daughter Laura Louise born with benign tumours on her vocal cords which resulted in a tracheostomy who, for 4 years, needed several surgical operations and subsequent lengthy stays in and visits to Sheffield children’s hospital for after care which again placed a heavy financial, practical and emotional burden on the family. Laura is now fully recovered, fit and well. Having suffered a lack of help with many of the services vitally needed during these traumatic times, armed with just a pen and paper she initiated the birth of Sincere Support in 1994.

Bev characterises the general vision, mission, and objectives of the organisation, showing others how it is done and setting the organisation’s way of life, values, and tone. Moving and spurring the group to pursue the organisation’s objectives, pursuing difficult choices and assuming a sense of ownership with results.

She has recruited and collected a gifted and variety group of a management team, giving direction, mentorship, and backing to colleagues, encouraging a cooperative and comprehensive workplace.
She is always available to learn and adjusts to changing economic situations, consistently looking for information and remaining refreshed on industry patterns.

“With over 30 years’ experience in the charity industry she certainly knows what she’s talking about”

Darren Pearce

Meadowhall Centre Director

Darren was born in Newcastle and went to Leeds Metropolitan University where he did an Accountancy degree. After graduating he qualified as a Chartered Accountant with BDO Binder Hamlyn before joining Meadowhall in 1994 as part of Eddie Healey’s team, the founder and original owner of Meadowhall. At this stage, along with his Accountancy role he was asked to get involved with two key initiatives, one being the Meadowhall Sunday League and the other being the set up and support of the Sincere Support Charity, a relationship which still remains strong to this day.

Darren was Finance Director at the Centre for 14 years before taking the hot seat as Centre Director in 2008. In this time he has worked with the management team at the Centre to establish Meadowhall as one of the top performing Shopping Centres in the country. As with all businesses globally, Meadowhall is creatively adapting to the new world of retail during the Covid Crisis and in doing so is making sure that it remains relevant to its consumers whilst embracing on line and broader consumer trends.

“Meadowhall has been proud to work with Sincere Support over the past 30 years during which many hundreds of families have benefitted from the incredible work that Beverley Lister and the Sincere Support team do. As Meadowhall’s Centre Director it was my privilege to help establish the charity, following a commitment that was made by Eddie Healey, the founder of Meadowhall, to assist and support Sincere Supports creation, following Beverley’s intervention in a critical meeting that facilitated Meadowhall’s construction. Since that time Meadowhall and Sincere Support have had a long and mutually beneficial relationship that continues today”.

Graham Moore MBE

Honorary Life President
Westfield Health

'During over 40 years involvement with Westfield Health most as Chief Executive then Chairman and culminating in my present role as Honorary Life President one of my great privileges had been associated with our proud tradition of supporting the NHS and Medically Related Charities.

In spite of the generosity of the company amounting to millions of pounds since 1965 the demand always sadly exceeds the annual amount available each year.

This necessitates careful examination of both the credibility of applications and evaluating its wider benefits to those they serve.

This process is particularly onerous with newly formed Charities who have no history of achievement but like new businesses have to get a track record to get credibility a tough task.

Clearly such issues do not apply to long standing organisations leaving the decisions to be one of merit and not least availability of funds.

So when I was approached by a vivacious and enthusiastic young lady forming a new Charity I was naturally cautious as the demand from existing ones continues to outstrip our budget and supporting a new one not without risk .

However this young lady impressed me with her sincerity and straight forward approach that convinced me to allocate one of the Charities first donations.

That young lady is of course Beverley Lister and I am proud to say that 30 yrs. later her Charity Sincere Support is still going strong and the partnership with Westfield Health has endured to mutual benefit to present day .

I am honoured to be associated with this iconic local Charity whose compassionate support is as strong as ever and grateful that my decision to support in its early days has proved to be well founded, and extend my congratulations on what has been achieved.'

Kind Regards
Graham Moore MBE
Hon Life President

Providing financial and emotional help to the families of sick children in hospital or who have sadly been bereaved.

Philomena Lynott

Bev Lister

Darren Pearce

Graham Moore MBE

Meet our team and Executive Management Committee

Our Supporters