Warwick Davis - President

I helped to co-found Little People UK in 2011 and am honoured to have been asked to be their Patron. I am very involved with the day to day running of the charity along with my wife Sammy who is another co-founder and the current Chairperson. We have two children, Annabelle and Harrison who both have SED. 

As a family, we face and overcome challenges daily, and we will continue to use this experience to educate and help others.

LPUK has come a long way since its inception 5 years ago and still has big ideas and great ambition for the future. Our ultimate goal is always to help people with dwarfism, their families and friends. 

Training through LPUK: First Aid and Safeguarding

Committee

Sam Davis - Chairperson

I dreamt of setting up a group to help people with dwarfism and their families when our first baby, Lloyd was born in 1991. From birth, he was very poorly with 'double dominance' - he had inherited my Achondroplasia and my husband, Warwick’s, Spondylopiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (SED). At that time, the doctors had very little information and, despite their best efforts and excellent care, Lloyd sadly died when he was just nine days old. It was such a shock to us and our whole family, and from that moment, I was determined to find out more about dwarfism, not only to help us with future pregnancies, but also the wider community - I didn’t want others to have to experience the heartache that we had.

Because Warwick is well known, we are always contacted by little people themselves and new families looking for help and advice. For twenty-two years, we have been meeting up with new parents and listening to the questions and worries they have about their child.

I now have two children, Annabelle (20) and Harrison (14), who both have SED. As a family, we often go to Little People of America’s (LPA) National Conference. We all have such a great time at the event and come away with such positivity and a wealth of information - it makes us all proud to be short. The ethos of LPA, combined with my own experiences of starting a family, inspired me to found an equivalent organisation in the UK, and Little People UK was born. That was nearly five years ago, since which time we have seen our numbers grow, held four national conferences of our own and are a registered charity in England.

 Little People UK is about supporting the whole family, and not just the individual with dwarfism. I want Little People UK to be for there for everyone.

I hope you find this website useful, informative and positive.

Training through LPUK: First Aid and Safeguarding 

Ray Griffiths – Vice Chairperson

My name is Raymond Griffiths and I was born with the condition Achondroplasia to Average Height parents and I have a brother who is also Average Height.  

I started work as a Landscape Gardener and then went on to become an Actor.  

I joined LPUK in 2012 because I believe in their ethos of being an all encompassing Charity for the whole family. Giving positive and friendly support not only for the family but also the extended family.  

I am married to Sarah who is Average Height and we have a son who also has Achondroplasia. 

 Training through LPUK: First Aid and Designated Safeguarding Person 

Stuart Walker - Treasurer

My name is Stuart and I am a Retired IT Engineer. I am married to Denise Walker, who has a grown up daughter with achondroplasia. 

I support LPUK by managing the merchandise requests and day-to-day financial matters. I help out at all LPUK events, providing manual assistance and often volunteer my services for transporting attendees to and from the event locations. 

I am Proud to be a part of LPUK.

Training through LPUK: Safeguarding

Emma-Jayne Belcher

Hi my name is Emma, I am a Little Person with Achondroplasia. I am the only person with dwarfism in my family. I am 22 years old and currently work in retail. I also have a real passion for dressmaking and sewing with the dream one day of making and designing clothes for Little People. 

I have been a member of DSAuk since I was 5 years old. When LPUK was formed by Sam I jumped at the chance to attend and be apart of it and I have never looked back since.

My role within the committee is organising events and socials for our youth members.

I am really pleased to be part of the LPUK Committee and look forward to all the great things we have planned for the future. 

Training through LPUK: First Aid and Safeguarding

Denise Walker 

As an Average Height Mother of a grown-up Daughter with Acondroplasia, I have always been aware of the challenges facing Little People.

The formation of this Charity has helped so many people and all their family members and I am proud to be a part of this wonderful Organisation.

My Husband, Stuart, and I deal with the merchandising which raises awareness of Little People UK.

Training through LPUK: First Aid and Safeguarding Officer 

Simeon Dyer

Hello my name is Simeon Dyer and I was born with Achondroplasia. I'm a 22 years old and I have just completed my study of Performing Arts at University. Like most other dwarfs I am the only dwarf in my family.

I joined LPUK 5 years ago and before that I hadn't really met any other dwarfs. The charity has helped me in so many different ways from finding out more about my condition to making life long friends. 

The reason I wanted to join the charity's committee was to give something back to the charity after it has given me so much.

Training through LPUK: First Aid and Safeguarding Officer

Annabelle Davis

Sarah Griffiths

 I am average height and I am married to Ray. Both Ray and our son have Achrondroplasia. 

As an Early Years Professional teaching children aged 2-5 years, part of my work is helping create an equal social environment, where differences and abilities are irrelevant, creating a positive and supportive future for all.

I am proud to be a member of the LPUK committee and help raise awareness, in such a positive and supportive environment.

Training through LPUK: First Aid and Designated Safeguarding Person

Charlie McGreal

Hi, my name is Charlie and I am 21 years old. I have Achondroplasia, and I am the only person in my family with dwarfism. I have many other medical issues and have my partner in crime with me for support. I am so proud to be a member of the LPUK committee as I am able to both support and give back to the charity that has done so much for me. I'm a huge Star Wars fan but enjoy movies in general. I have completed studying Media at Stockport & Aquinas college and I am really looking forward to a great year supporting LPUK.

Training through LPUK: Knowledge of First Aid and Designated Safeguarding Person

Darren Todd

I am average height, I have both worked and supported Charlie, who has Achondroplasia, over the last 19 years. 

I have worked for the NHS for over 15 years, have a BSc and MSc in Integrative Medicine, I am a member of the Pride Stockport committee supporting the local LGBT+ community and I have had the amazing opportunity to deliver a Clinical Reflexology program supporting families for the NHS in my home city of Manchester.

I was introduced to LPUK by meeting Sam & Warwick at comic-con, as a self-confessed Geek, I'm also interested in films, TV and Musical Theatre.

I came along to the first LPUK event in Manchester and was immediately in awe of what the committee and their volunteers had put together. Having been a volunteer myself and active member of the LPUK family ever since, both fundraising and providing support I would like to take the next step and be a part of this great team continuing to raise awareness.

Training through LPUK: First Aid and Designated Safeguarding Person

Colleen Ewart

I’m an average height mum to Alex who has SED. 

When Alex was born, his consultant was able to help him survive by drawing on his experience of caring for Lloyd Davis, who sadly passed away at just nine days old. The consultant wrote to Sammy and Warwick who, despite their personal tragedy, gave us their time and their love – as they do for so many.

During Alex’s early years I got involved in the Child Growth Foundation and the Restricted Growth Association. Whilst they had something to offer, it didn’t offset the stresses of working and meeting Alex’s needs. Life took its toll. When Sammy and Warwick set up LPUK I was very excited but not well enough to get properly involved. 

But here I am now, with lots of experience and some skills - and full of passion to educate, support, care and raise awareness with this amazing group of people.

Training through LPUK: Safeguarding

Lifetime Honorary Member

Peter Burroughs

EMPLOYEES

Rebecca Nuttall – Charity Administrator

Hello, my name is Rebecca and I live in West Yorkshire, I have a form of dwarfism called Diastrophic Dysplasia.

Before volunteering as Little People UK Secretary I completed a degree in Forensic and Analytical Science and I am hoping to study further in the future.

I joined LPUK in 2012, to meet other people with dwarfism. Since joining I have met so many different people and had some amazing experiences that I will never forget.

Little People UK is full of many positive people, from all walks of life and is there for everyone.

Training through LPUK: Knowledge of First Aid and Designated Safeguarding Person