Stephen Allan OBE is appointed Lifetime President of Rays of Sunshine, paving the way for new Chair, Jane Sharpe

Stephen Allan OBE, the co-founder of Rays of Sunshine, whose leadership has helped the charity grant over 9,000 magical wishes for seriously ill children across the UK, has been appointed the charity’s first Lifetime President after more than two decades as Chair – with Vice Chair Jane Sharpe appointed as the new Chair of Trustees.

Rays of Sunshine, the UK charity that grants magical wishes and provides vital support to seriously and terminally ill children, today announces that its co-founder and Chairman of Trustees, Stephen Allan OBE, is stepping up to become the charity’s first Lifetime President – a new role that reflects his enduring connection to the organisation he helped build over 22 extraordinary years. 

Stephen co-founded Rays of Sunshine in 2003 alongside six of his close friends, Timothy Allan, Daniel Coleman, Grant Fox, David Saul, Timothy Shaw and Mark Shipman – who all shared a belief that every seriously ill child deserves moments of pure joy. Since then, the charity has gone on to brighten the lives of over 80,000 children and their families, granting more than 9,000 magical wishes, providing ongoing support in hospitals across the country, and hosting special community events that bring children and families together. 

Under Stephen’s leadership as Chair, Rays of Sunshine has grown from a small but determined charity into a nationally recognised organisation with an extraordinary network of celebrity ambassadors, corporate partners, patrons and supporters. His 40+ years of experience in the media industry and the vast network he has built helped open doors that turned wishes into unforgettable moments for children who needed them most, often with a life-changing impact. 

In recognition of both his exceptional contribution to the Media Industry and his services to Charity helping Young People, Stephen was honoured with an OBE in the King’s 2025 New Year’s Honours List – a fitting acknowledgement of the profound impact he has had on thousands of young lives. 

As Stephen steps up to the newly created role of Lifetime President, he paves the way for the next chapter of the charity’s leadership – a title that reflects the permanent and irreplaceable mark he has left on Rays of Sunshine, and his continued connection to its mission. 

Vice Chair Jane Sharpe has been appointed as the incoming Chair of Trustees, bringing deep knowledge of the charity, its values and the communities it serves. Jane has been part of Rays of Sunshine since it started, beginning as a volunteer before joining the Board of Trustees. She went on to serve as Chief Executive from September 2010 for a decade, and later rejoined the Board, most recently as Vice Chair. 

Stephen Allan OBE, Lifetime President and Co-Founder at Rays of Sunshine, said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be part of Rays of Sunshine. To see a vision become a movement, one that has brought so much joy to children and families going through the hardest of times, is something I will always be deeply proud of.  

“After 22 incredible years, I recognise that it is now the right time to appoint a new successor Chair. I am delighted to hand the Chairmanship to Jane, as nobody is more dedicated, knowledgeable or passionate than she is. Having been a key part of Rays of Sunshine’s story from the very beginning, the charity is in the very best of hands. I look forward to continuing to champion the charity’s incredible work in my new role as Lifetime President.” 

Jane Sharpe, incoming Chair at Rays of Sunshine, said: “Rays of Sunshine enters its next chapter with strong foundations, a clear purpose, and an exceptional team. Building on Stephen’s vision, my focus as Chair is on strengthening our long‑term sustainability, extending our reach, and ensuring we can deliver even greater impact for seriously ill children and their families in the years ahead. 

“I’m honoured to Chair the charity as we look to the future with confidence and ambition.” 

Amy Chambers, CEO at Rays of Sunshine, said; “Stephen has been the heartbeat of Rays of Sunshine since the very beginning. His vision, his generosity and his determination to make magical wishes happen for seriously ill children, bringing sunshine into their lives when facing the darkest of times, has shaped everything we do.

“We are honoured to name him our Lifetime President, and we are excited to welcome Jane into the Chair role as we continue to reach more children across the UK than ever before.”