Trustees
Jordan Burnard
Appointed as Chair in November 2025, Jordan took on this role driven by a lifelong, personal connection to the Charity's mission. Born with bladder epispadias and having lived with a Mitrofanoff since the age of 11, he understands the daily realities, challenges, and resilience of our community. Jordan views his position not simply as a leadership role, but as a commitment to giving back to a support network he knows to be absolutely vital. Looking to the future, his focus is squarely on serving the members—working collaboratively to broaden the Charity's outreach, ensure compassionate, high-quality support for all members, and build meaningful partnerships with the sponsors who make this essential work possible.
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John Thatcher
John joined the board of Trustees as the advisor on Strategic Planning, had a spell as Chairperson (taking over from Ken Edwards), and is now back in his original role. He is currently working for Standard Chartered Bank in London in a Programme oversight role, and is hoping that some of this experience can prove beneficial to Mitrofanoff Support.
Lily Kadirova
Lily joined the Board of Trustees in November 2025. She is currently a Civil Servant working in the International Plant Health team at DEFRA, has previously worked in investment banking, and was a stay-at-home mother whilst her daughter Lulu, a Mitrofanoffer, was young.
John and Lily and have three children Elizabeth, Lulu, and Ben. Lulu was born with a variety of conditions that meant she had the Mitrofanoff operation just before her 5th birthday. The Charity didn't exist at that time and our family felt pretty isolated and unsure what life would be like. Kyla setting up Mitrofanoff Support was exactly what was needed and the family have benefited enormously over the years from the support the Charity provides.
Sharon Fillingham
Sharon Fillingham was a clinical nurse specialist with many years of experience and expertise working with patients with urological conditions and requiring urinary diversions. She has recently retired from the NHS. As our Adult Nurse Advisor Sharon gives lectures and holds training days to teach other medical professionals across Europe on the Mitrofanoff procedure. Sharon is also qualified and works as a Psychosexual Therapist.
Sharon has worked closely with Mitrofanoff Support since its launch in 2010, and plays a vital role in our Patient Education Days and Mitrofanoff online networking sessions (MONS), giving advice and answering questions about managing a Mitrofanoff on a day to day basis.
If you have any questions for Sharon, please email info@mitrofanoffsupport.org.uk
Lynda Kenison
Lynda Kenison has been an active volunteer with Mitrofanoff Support since 2013, after her husband Jim had the Mitrofanoff procedure when his bladder cancer returned. Both Lynda and Jim greatly appreciated the information and support they received from Mitrofanoff Support, both by phone and at the Patient Education Days, so became volunteers to help others in similar situations.
Lynda started her career in the oil industry, before moving to the charity sector where she worked for 25 years, finally managing a cancer support centre for patients and their families. Having retired in 2019, Lynda was keen to use her skills and experience to help people and now volunteers at Maggie's and the Royal Marsden hospital. Lynda was delighted to join the Board of Trustees in 2021.
Ben Bates
Ben was born with bladder exstrophy and has had a Mitrofanoff since he was three years old, so has only ever known self-catheterisation. This has never stopped him from doing anything, including travelling around the world as a teenager representing Great Britain in the Fencing team and running the London Marathon on behalf of Mitrofanoff Support.
Ben joined the board of trustees in 2021 during his final year as a medical student and is able to provide support from both the medical and personal points of view. Ben has a particular interest in improving support for adolescents, as he remembers the challenges of growing up with a Mitrofanoff without knowing someone in a similar situation who could share their experiences. Ben currently works as a Doctor in an Australian emergency department.
