Rev. Bernard Cocker is the CEO and founder of International Aid Trust. Bernard’s life changed profoundly in 1991 when he became a Christian after seeing a vision of heaven.
Within two weeks, Bernard was invited to travel to Kyiv and Moscow with three men who were taking Bibles into Russia, shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union. What he saw there left a mark on him forever. Poverty was everywhere. Russian soldiers, hungry and desperate, offered to carry suitcases in exchange for a sandwich. Hospitals revealed scenes of suffering and need that Bernard had never imagined possible.
But alongside the hardship, he encountered extraordinary generosity. In Ukraine, Bernard met people who had very little, yet were eager to give all they could. “We were giving out of our plenty,” Bernard recalls, “but they outgave us with their little.”
Bernard returned to the UK deeply moved by what he had seen, with a vision to make a difference. Out of that vision, International Aid Trust was born.
Bernard says, “Today, that same calling continues bringing practical help, hope, and Christian compassion to those in greatest need in some of the poorest parts of this hurting world.”
Sandy Taylor is our chair of trustees since 2002. About twenty five years ago, through a church connection in Belarus, Sandy was put in touch with International Aid Trust. Sandy says, “I was invited to join Bernard on a visit to Kiev and Odessa, and the rest as they say, is history. As a committed Christian I consider the work of the charity, in both its practical and spiritual approach to the great needs of the world, is where the good news of Jesus is best delivered.”
Paul has been a trustee since 2016 has supported International Aid Trust for more than a decade. “I like that the charity is locally based. I enjoy being involved in a hands-on capacity, helping to load trucks, giving talks about the work and chairing the finance and fundraising committees. It’s great to see first-hand the benefits of all the donations and volunteering”.
Lennie became a trustee in 2021 after meeting Bernard and feeling a spiritual connection to the work of International Aid Trust. Lennie has been involved in many Christian ministries across the world, including Zimbabwe, Romania and China. Lennie is our Philippines co-ordinator and is also currently helping Ukrainian refugees into the UK, by linking up with sponsors, helping with visas, meeting them at the airport and supporting them with any problems.
Stephen became a trustee in 2022. He says, “It’s been great seeing how God has moved the charity on, to see the detail of how He is moving and to be able to play a little part in His plan.” Stephen first met Bernard twenty years ago when he came to speak at Inglewhite Church. He felt God saying to him ‘This is a man to do business with and a charity to work with’, so he encouraged the church to support International Aid Trust.
Rose has been a Trustee since 2018. She is Lead Nurse in Haematology at the Royal Liverpool Hospital and is our Moldova co-ordinator. Rose says, “I remember the joy I had on a trip to Moldova that the storehouse was filled with aid we had sent. God had previously laid it on my heart to do that as there were so many needs there”.
Jane became a Trustee in 2024, she is the HR Director of GBA Logistics, who are based near to our warehouse in Tarleton and partnered with International Aid Trust to build our new Hope Academy Secondary School in Sierra Leone. Jane represented GBA on a visit to our work in Sierra Leone and saw firsthand the difference that their support was making.
Stephen joined the Trustees in 2026, he is a long term supporter and regularly volunteers his time to help with loading trucks full of aid for overseas. Stephen says, “I am involved with the charity because it is a worthwhile cause with Christian values, that is having a huge impact in people’s lives around the world.”
Alison has been our Office Manager since 2006 and plays a key role in supporting the smooth running of the organisation. She works closely with the CEO and across finance, fundraising, retail and operations, both in the UK and abroad, as well as managing Human Resources. Alison says, “I am proud to be part of an organisation where the team can see the real difference their work makes and where every donation is used with care and purpose. Having had the privilege of seeing the charity’s work first-hand in Ukraine on several occasions, I am able to share those experiences with others and help bring the impact of the work to life.”
Nina has been our Retail Manager since 2019, she oversees the running of the ten International Aid Trust charity shops. Nina says, “I really like the charity’s ethos, that we’re a Christian charity. I get a great sense of peace from chatting to God as I’m driving between different shops and locations.”
Luke joined the team in 2026… (more to follow).
Ihor began working for International Aid Trust in 2024, after volunteering with the warehouse team, loading trucks of aid. Ihor says, “I chose this company because of its meaningful mission of helping people, especially my fellow Ukrainians. Seeing the real impact of our work gives me purpose.”
Julie Rowlandson joined the staff team in 2019, her role includes spreading the word about the charity’s work through communications, talking to groups and schools, events and fundraising. Julie says, “I love being able to encourage supporters by sharing all that God is doing through our teams!”
