Meet the Trustees
RAY is governed by a board of trustees who are responsible for making decisions on all aspects of the running of RAY.
Chair of Trustees - Charlie Croft
Charlie joined RAY’s Board of Trustees in 2022. He worked for many years as a chief officer at City of York Council where he had a lead role with respect to refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. This experience gave him an insight into the work that RAY does and its importance to the city and to the lives of individual residents. Having enjoyed working with RAY in that capacity and having recently left the council, he was keen to be involved with RAY in a trustee capacity and to help continue to nurture a positive and supportive environment for refugees, migrants and asylum seekers coming to York. He currently works as a university lecturer.
Vice-Chair of Trustees - Mary McCormack
Mary is a primary school teacher at a one-form entry primary school in York where she teaches Year 2 and leads Phase 2. Prior to this, Mary trained and taught at a primary school in Leeds. Mary has been involved in RAY, in a variety of roles, since it was founded in 2002 and was also involved in the campaign group End Child Detention Now.
Treasurer - Rachel Bateson
Rachel joined RAY’s trustee board and took on the Treasurer role in February 2023 after volunteering initially with RAY’s English conversation and clothing bank projects. Based at the National Railway Museum, Rachel is a senior project delivery manager in touring exhibitions for the Science Museum Group. Rachel originally qualified as a chartered accountant, working in the public and charity sectors. Before changing careers and moving to York, Rachel was responsible for the financial accounts of an agency of the Ministry of Justice. Rachel previously served as Chair of York Fighting Coronavirus Together, as small charity that shared information with the local community during the pandemic.
Service User Trustee - Marwa Dorai
Marwa has been a volunteer with RAY for a number of years and in a variety of roles. Marwa holds a Level 3 Diploma in Supporting in Teaching and Learning, and also holds an LLB Applied Law License in Real Estate Affairs. Marwa represents Service Users on the Trustee Board.
Trustee - Annette Maas
Annette has been a volunteer with RAY for a few years, working mainly in Information and Support, as well as being the Volunteer Representative on the Hub Working Group. She worked in Further Education as an English tutor for 8 years and currently works part-time at York College as an ESOL tutor, providing workshop support for students on mainstream courses, some of whom access the services provided by RAY.
Trustee - Angie Creswick
Angie Creswick became a RAY trustee in February 2024 after seeing the charity’s work with asylum seekers and refugees through her job role with York Methodist Circuit where she advises churches on buildings and governance enabling them to use their resources to serve their communities.
Angie originally trained as a civil engineer and has project management experience from working in the construction industry. Angie has lived overseas in Pakistan, the Middle East and the USA and whilst living in Virginia, she was involved in Afghan refugee resettlement and went on aid trips to Haiti and Guatemala. On returning to the UK, Angie obtained a Masters in Conservation Studies (Hsitoric Buildings) from the University of York and continues to be interested in built heritage and how this can help us tell our stories.
She is passionate about challenging injustice, offering welcome and hospitality to others and celebrating how all our lives can be enriched by being inclusive and caring.
