Every charity begins with a spark, and Tony was the one who created that spark when he courageously founded The Abel Foundation. As Abel’s dad, he carries the most important role of all, and it is that love which continues to shape the heart of the charity.

Dedicated, determined and deeply compassionate, Tony has always made time to listen and support others walking a similar path.

Driven by a promise to ensure mitochondrial disease is recognised, understood and heard, he leads with strength, purpose and an unwavering commitment to creating lasting change in Abel’s name.

Jordan Wylie MBE is a former soldier, bestselling author, extreme adventurer, and a familiar face from Hunted and Celebrity Hunted.

Raised on one of the UK’s largest council estates, he left school with no qualifications before joining the British Army at 16. Over a decade of service, including tours in Northern Ireland and Iraq, he specialised in military intelligence, reconnaissance, and armoured operations. After leaving the Army, he moved into maritime security, where a real-life encounter with Somali pirates inspired his number one bestselling book Citadel.

Jordan later became the first person to row solo and unsupported across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most dangerous waterways. His expeditions, including Running Dangerously and Barefoot Warrior, have raised over £1 million for charity and featured in Sky documentaries.

Alongside his adventures, Jordan has openly shared his battles with depression, anxiety, and epilepsy, using his platform to challenge the stigma around mental health.

Returning to education later in life, he earned both a BA (Hons) and MA in Security, Safety and Risk Management, and is now a respected commentator, regularly appearing on Sky News and the BBC. His book Running For My Life was released in 2019.

Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer, best-known for her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies featuring strong heroines, gorgeous heroes and always that happy-ever-after!

Mandy also has a home on the Greek island of Corfu and loves wine, cheese, Netflix, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Most recently, Mandy took part in BBC1’s Ready Steady Cook with Greek celebrity chef, Akis Petretzikis.

Mandy is a member of the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband, two children and Springsteen the cat!

Mandy has known Abel Noakes since he was born and has seen the challenges mitochondrial disease has given Abel and his family. She is honoured to have been asked to be a patron of The Abel Foundation and highlight this cause and its need for support and more awareness.

Chris Britton from The Troggs has joined the organisation to help promote its range of services.

The 72-year old lead guitarist of the Andover band, famous for songs like Love is All Around and With a Girl Like You said, “Having met Abel , with his parents and support team , we realise that there is an urgent need to establish more awareness of the problems and need for support to both sufferers and carers who are all doing their very best to cope .

However more needs to be done to raise the profile and GET MORE HELP. Regards Chris & Nid”

Katie Brooks is a dedicated ambassador for The Abel Foundation, combining her strong roots in the Test Valley community with her global travels. Over the years, Katie has actively supported the Foundation by organising and attending fundraising events, including bringing her much loved craps table to the annual ball to help create a memorable casino night experience.

Katie has recently been honoured to become an Ambassador for The Abel Foundation. As she continues her work overseas, she will now proudly take an Abel Bear with her on her travels, using each journey as an opportunity to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease, start meaningful conversations, and represent the charity both within her local community and around the world.

Katie’s commitment to The Abel Foundation is deeply personal, shaped by her own experience of living with early onset Parkinson’s and the wider impact of mitochondrial health. As an ambassador, she is passionate about supporting families, raising awareness, and helping drive meaningful change both within her local community and beyond.

Beverley joins the Abel Foundation as a trustee with a deep commitment to making a difference. A lifelong animal lover, she brings compassion, energy, and a generous spirit.

Her support has been invaluable, and we’re thrilled to have her guiding our journey forward, Beverley’s heart for helping others shines through everything she does, she is Committed to supporting The Abel Foundations Mission with Empathy and a strong sense of passion.

Claire is the dedicated Chairman of The Abel Foundation, a role she holds close to her heart. Her passion for raising awareness of mitochondrial disease comes from a deeply personal place — her son, Abel, lives with the condition. Since his diagnosis, Claire has been determined to ensure that no family feels alone on this difficult journey.

Through her work with the foundation, Claire channels her energy into offering practical help, emotional support, and a sense of community to others affected by mitochondrial disease. She is a tireless advocate, working to increase public understanding, improve access to resources, and fund vital support initiatives. Claire’s vision is to build a future where families facing mitochondrial disease feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Undy plays a vital role at The Abel Foundation, bringing events to life with his expertise in music and tech. As our go-to soundman, he ensures every event runs smoothly — from setting up equipment and fine-tuning the audio, to creating playlists that perfectly match the mood. If there’s a sound issue, Undy’s already on it before anyone else has even noticed.

His passion for music and natural ability to troubleshoot under pressure make him an essential part of the team. More than just making things sound good, Undy helps create an atmosphere where people feel welcome, relaxed, and uplifted. Thanks to his dedication, our events don’t just run — they sing.

Darren has been with The Abel Foundation from the very beginning, and his unwavering support has made him a cornerstone of the charity. As a committed volunteer, he’s there at every single event — helping with setup, lending a hand wherever it’s needed, and making sure things run without a hitch.

His dedication, reliability, and kind-hearted nature embody the spirit of the foundation. Whether it’s lifting tables, welcoming guests, or staying behind to tidy up, Darren gives his all without ever expecting anything in return. His long-standing commitment is a true reflection of the community values that The Abel Foundation stands for.