Military VS Cancer | By Sea, Land, Air and All, together let’s make cancer fall

About Us

What is our focus?

Military vs Cancer focus is on alleviating the effects of cancer for Military personnel past and present, as well as their immediate families. We provide:

  • Additional family / nursing care funding.
  • Travel costs for treatment, including hotel stays for family members.
  • Home adaptations.
  • Respite breaks.
  • Memory making trips.
  • Special experiences, especially for those with a terminal diagnosis.
  • Peer group / community support for serving forces members and their families.

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1199115

WO1 David Bathgate – Chairman

David is the founder of Military vs Cancer and the drive that keeps it on the right trajectory. David was born and raised in Leeds and now lives in Nottingham. He Joined the Royal Navy in 1990 where he still serves as a Warrant Officer 1. David has served on HMS Renown, HMS Resolution, HMS Vigilant, HMS Vengeance and HMS Victorious, the skills and friends he has developed throughout his career have enabled him to grow Military vs Cancer from the ground up.

Shelley Bathgate – Administrator

Shelley has lived in the East Midlands all her life and started her career in adult education working with hard-to-reach groups and charities to ensure inclusion and the personal development of individuals and community groups.  Whilst working with a University to develop new programmes to support individuals into higher education she established links with healthcare. Following this she has trained and worked as an Occupational Therapist.  As a result of her career experiences Shelley has developed an extensive career in team, service and project management.

Peter Moody – Managing Director of GAP Group – Trustee

Born and raised in the North East, Peter left the region as a young 17-year-old to join the armed services. After a 23-year career in the Royal Navy’s Submarine Service and seeking new challenges, Peter returned home to the North East in 2005 and established GAP Waste. The business was set up to meet the needs and demands of the newly implemented Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment European Directive. Following inception, the company has grown substantially over the period and a Group structure was formed in 2019.

Cdr Michael Howarth RN – Trustee

Michael’s career stretches back to 1987 when he first joined the Royal Navy. Spending most of his career with the Submarine Service, Michael has served in HMS Revenge, HMS Vigilant, HMS Victorious and HMS Vengeance. He has also served with the Submarine Flotilla at HM Naval Base Clyde as well as with the Commando Helicopter Force. When he left regular service in 2018, Michael joined the Maritime Reserves where he has fulfilled roles as Head of Department, senior Divisional Officer and Initial Naval Training Officer. He is currently Commanding Officer of the Maritime Reserves Unit, HMS Dalriada, and a Senior Project Manager for DXC Technology.

Air Vice-Marshal Fin Monahan OBE DFC PhD RAF – Patron

Air Vice-Marshal Monahan OBE became Military vs Cancer first patron. The charity had to wait for the right person with the same enthusiasm and passion to join the team. Born in Liverpool, Fin has fought myeloma three times but has returned to active service and flying each time. He is now applying his operational experience leading the doctrine team at the Defence Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre exploring subjects such as how the armed forces deal with today’s threats and how to operate in the air, space and cyberspace. 

WO Gareth Evans – Trustee

Gareth was born in Slough, Berkshire but raised in Southend-on-Sea, Essex until his enlisting to the Royal Air Force in January 1997. Joining as a Physical Training Instructor, he later specialised as an Adventurous Training and Facilitation Instructor working at Outdoor centres in North Wales, North Scotland and Bavaria, Germany. Having served at many units including the RAF College Cranwell, HQ Air Command at High Wycombe and Mount Pleasant Airfield, Falkland Islands, Gareth brings a wealth of experience and relationships to support MvC and has a keen focus on spreading awareness of the charity across all military services.

Carri Nicholson, TD – The Leader Whisperer – Trustee

Born and raised in Scotland, but resident in the North East since 2004, Carri helps business owners and CEOs to sustainably scale then profitably exit their companies.  As well as founding a number of businesses herself, Carri spent 6 years as CEO of Save our Squirrels, where she personally raised in excess of £4M to help protect our native red squirrel, and attracted both financial and personal support from HRH Prince Charles (as he then was) to do so. Carri has significant leadership, fundraising and stakeholder management experience, as well as 17 years’ service as an Officer in the Territorial Army.  She considers it a singular honour to be able to support the amazing objectives of Military vs Cancer as a Trustee.

Committee Members - Click on the image for bio

Elton Dobson

Committee Member

Laurence Rooke

Committee Member

Graeme Mcabe

Committee Member

Chris Smith

Committee Member

Matt Munday

Committee Member

Eléna Mountford

Committee Member

Kevin G. Smith

Committee Member

Jay Brady

Committee Member

GAP Group - Military vs Cancer