Our staff
Tamas Haydu - Chief Executive
Tamas has been chief executive of the CCF since March 2017. He joined CCF as Development Director in 2013 following a career of 15 years in sales, marketing and business development. Tamas spent four years with regional charity South West Lakes Trust before joining CCF, where he was responsible for marketing, publicity and managed successful development projects. He holds an MBA, a Masters in Education and a BA (Hons) in Geography and Art.
Tamas lives in Launceston with his family and enjoys travelling and kayaking.
Amy Buzza-Blackwell - Philanthropy Director
Amy joined the Foundation as Philanthropy Director in January 2021. Born near Redruth, she went away to university and then spent several years living in Oxford, but was soon drawn back to her home county. She has worked as a fundraiser for a variety of charities ranging from the National Trust to Cornwall Air Ambulance, and has specialised in campaign management, the organisation of major events, and working with charities’ largest supporters.
When not working she enjoys climbing, baking and walking the Cornish coast path.
Tamara Sherston-Baker - Development Director
Tamara joined the Foundation as maternity cover for the Philanthropy Director position since she has thankfully decided to stay with the Foundation as Development Director. Although new to the charity sector Tamara brings over 15 years of experience in events, marketing and client management, most recently heading up sponsorship, events and corporate social responsibility for Royal Bank of Canda Wealth Management.
After growing up on the south coast and spending many years visiting Cornwall, Tamara and her family made the move to the county permanently in summer 2019 and now live in Newquay. When not working Tamara likes to explore the beaches and countryside of Cornwall with her two young boys.
Rachel Mill - Administrative Officer
Rachel has lived on a Cornish farm all her life. Having studied Art and Design at Falmouth Art College and Art Metalwork and Jewellery at Plymouth Art College, she carried on her passion for jewellery making later in life and sold to local Craft Fayres in and around Cornwall.
Married a Cornishman, Rachel brought up three children. Whilst their children were at nursery she volunteered as the Nursery Secretary eventually finding an opportunity to work as an Accountants Receptionist/Secretary and continued this path for 15 years until making a change to join the Foundation in November 2021.
Donna Wheadon - Grants Officer
With a keen interest in Art and Design for most of her life, Donna attended Plymouth Art and Design College followed by the University of Falmouth to study Graphic Design. After finishing University, Donna came back to the family farm in North Cornwall. Keen to give something back to Cornwall, Donna volunteered at the Foundation for a few months working on the website before being offered a permanent position. Donna has been the Grants Officer at the Foundation since 2008.
In her spare time, when she is not running around after her beautiful triplets, she can often be found socialising, exercising and enjoying the Cornish countryside.
Genna Williams - Grants Officer
Genna grew up in West London, where she worked as a BT Engineer and an Early Years Practitioner. In 2017 she moved to North Cornwall to be closer to her family. Before joining the Foundation in September 2021, she began studying Counselling to broaden her understanding of mental health. This is where her interest in the voluntary sector grew.
In her spare time, Genna enjoys exploring the Cornish countryside and coast, exercising and family caravan trips.
Alison Mitchelmore - Grants Officer
Alison has a background in the charity sector. Before joining the Foundation in September 2021, she had previously worked for Cornwall Rural Community Charity and Volunteer Cornwall helping voluntary sector organisations to build their capacity and access funding.
She has lived in Cornwall much of her life and is married to a Cornish man who can trace his Cornish roots back several centuries, only to discover that he is descended from invading Frenchmen! Her favourite pastime is quilt making and hand applique.
Francis Baring - Grants Officer
Francis’s career has ranged from working in charity management to teaching. Before joining the Foundation in November 2022, he ran a forest school social enterprise for children across mid-Cornwall. The experience gave him a flavour of the challenges facing community business, as well as the huge positive impacts for the users (and himself!)
Francis came to Cornwall in 2017, lives near Falmouth and has grown to love the county. Never happier than exploring woody corners, or the exhilarating coastlands, a pair of wellies is a fixture in the back of his car! He also enjoys the rich cultural heritage of the area and enjoys singing in various community choirs.
Amy Fairman - Marketing Officer
Amy joined the Foundation in March 2023. Before joining us, Amy studied Marketing at Southampton Solent University before heading back home to North Cornwall to settle down where she gained a broad knowledge of Digital Marketing through various roles including Financial Services.
Outside of work, Amy enjoys exploring the Cornish countryside with her Husband, young son and Labrador, as well as helping to run their organic farm and campsite on Bodmin Moor.
Sonya O'Hea - Head of Programmes
Before joining the team at CCF, Sonya worked in the voluntary, community sector, most recently with Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum and previously with Cornwall Disability Forum. Her past career also includes two roles at Falmouth University, managing bursaries and awards as part of the Student Funding Team, and as General Manager of the Falmouth & Exeter Students’ Union.
Originally from Penzance, Sonya is now based in Falmouth where she lives with her family and enjoys cycling, an occasional swim (when the water is warm!) and any opportunity to get out on the coast path or in the countryside for a long walk.