Radio boss to run Brighton charity

Juice FM managing director Ryan Heal is the new chief executive of Rockinghorse, the sick children’s charity.

Mr Heal, 35, takes up the post in September after Claire Ross-Baker left to join the Fire Fighters Charity as director of fundraising and communications. He will remain a board member at Juice.

Mr Heal said: “At the charity’s annual ball last year, my wife and I contributed towards a 3D pain distraction unit and ironically, within four weeks, my son was using the equipment.

“My son’s recent stay in hospital was the instigator for wanting to become more involved in the charity.”

His son John, 4, had a rare blood condition diagnosed in November. He has since been admitted to the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital more than ten times.

Mr Heal added: “Without the amazing work of Rockinghorse, the treatment he received while in hospital and the equipment he was able to engage with, John’s time at the Alex would have been much more traumatic.”

Last December Mr Heal was presented with the Outstanding Brightonian award at the Sussex Business Awards.

The award recognised his philanthropic outlook and the time and energy that he has put into supporting local charities.