Ocean Stars in the UK

John Bunter - Chair

I'm John Bunter and I now serve as OST Chairperson.  I have had a long affiliation with Sri Lanka, largely through my wife Dilanee, who founded the charity, and I have visited the country many times over the years and have gained an appreciation of the cultural, political and economic issues facing the country.

As a family we live in Fleet, Hampshire. Our three children, who have now emerged into their 20s, have all taken an interest in OST and its projects in the country, and have taken part in several of the October visits. My

professional background is in teaching modern languages to secondary age school children. I also have a keen interest in helping local sports clubs, and took much pleasure in 2010 in taking our local youth cricket team on tour to Sri Lanka. 

Wendy Haynes - Secretary

I first became involved in Ocean Stars in 2012 when I visited Sri Lanka with a colleague from school. Our visit was to look at whether an international school partnership could be set up between CPS and some selected schools in Sri Lanka. Since then, I have visited each year that travel has been allowed, usually taking a group of students from the school. About a year ago I was asked if I might be willing to take on the Secretary role for the Trustees, and I am enjoying getting to know how the charity runs its many and varied projects behind the scenes, which makes Ocean Stars the amazing charity it is.

Jo Barton - Trustee & Sponsorship

Hi, I'm Jo & I hold the post of secretary on our Board of Trustees.  I also manage our sponsorship scheme.  I have been involved with Ocean Stars since its inception in 2005 & it has been a privilege to see how it has grown over the years.  I have known Dilanee since I first moved to Fleet in 1991 & our children all grew up together so it felt only natural to become involved following the Boxing Day tsunami when Dilanee first began fund raising to bring relief to those affected.

I have visited our projects and schools in Sri Lanka & have seen first-hand the impact that Ocean Stars has on the lives of people living in some of the most remote parts of the country.

Dilanee Bunter - Founder and Head of operations

Hi I'm Dilanee Bunter and I was born in Sri Lanka and lived there until I was 15 years old. When the Tsunami happened on 26th Dec 2004, I felt I wanted to do something personal to help the people of Sri Lanka rebuild their shattered lives. Friends and relatives in Sri Lanka introduced me to various post-Tsunami relief projects and so the Ocean Stars Trust was born. I work as a teacher and a counsellor for the Education Other Than at School (EOTAS) Service of Hampshire County Council.

Jennie Gilbert - Trustee and Social Media Manager

I have recently had the pleasure of becoming an Ocean Stars Trustee. As a family friend of the Bunters, I have known about Ocean Stars since the beginning and have always admired the commitment and dedication the OST team puts into helping people in Sri Lanka. My involvement began in helping out with the numerous fundraisers held throughout the year until I became the Ocean Stars 'Intern' in 2014.  I learned a lot during the internship and when it came to an end in 2015, I was honoured to be offered the position of Trustee.  I carry out a lot of the administrative tasks and my Excel knowledge has certainly been put to good use! 

Dan Haylett

It is a real privilege to be involved with Ocean Stars as a new Trustee. I've seen at first-hand the real difference that the hard work and generosity of many is making to the lives of communities in Sri Lanka. I'm looking forward to being involved with Ocean Stars and seeing how the work with children and young people will develop and grow.

Cameron Williams - Trustee

Hi, I'm Cam, I have been studying and working in the international development field for the past 7 years now and recently carried over my Project Evaluation skillset to the charity sector. I have had the pleasure of knowing the Bunter family for four years now and within that time I was lucky enough to spend time in Sri Lanka, admiring the wonderful island, but also visiting the excellent projects of Ocean Stars. I was incredibly impressed by what I saw and since, the hard work I have come to know in the background. I therefore leapt at the opportunity to become part of the organisation and I was delighted when my application to be a Trustee was approved in early 2022. I hope to both provide my professional insight where I can, but also immerse myself and learn from the wonderful staff we have in Ocean Stars Lanka, but also the brilliant Trustees around me.

Kim Gilbert - Preschool Link Manager

I am the Preschool Link Manager co-ordinating and promoting Ocean Stars awareness with targeted preschools, nurseries and schools. I became aware of OST through my son and his wife when they visited Sri Lanka as part of the team. I was privileged to have visited the Projects and Preschools in Kilinochi, Trincomalee and Batticaloa in 2019 and seen for myself the amazing work the Trust carries out.

Denise Barnes - Trustee

Hi, I'm Denise, I'm delighted to join the team as a new trustee. I am looking forward to making a real difference to the trust and the young people of Sri Lanka. Having spent my career in industry working with some large organisations and multinationals I am hoping to bring some of those techniques to the charity to help it grow and be sustainable into the future. Some of the activities which the trust has been and will be involved with, are frankly life changing and I am inspired by having the ability to make actions which will be truly life changing to the youngsters in Sri Lanka and giving them hope for the future and the belief they can be whatever they want to be.

Rachel Angel - Trustee

Hi, I'm Rachel. I have a strong connection with Sri Lanka, having first visited the island in 2001 and witnessing first-hand the devasting effects of the tsunami in 2004. I had the privilege of travelling with a group of CPS students for 3 subsequent trips and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the wonderful work of Ocean Stars and the impact of the charity on the children and communities it supports in some very poor and underfunded regions. I hope to remain involved in the charity and support its remarkable work in the years to come as my role of trustee. 

Amali Bunter - Co-opted Trustee

I'm delighted to continue to support the work of Ocean Stars Trust. I have been involved in the organisation since the beginning and have seen the community grow over the years, particularly since the first team visits. It is a pleasure to work closely with the U.K. trustee board focusing specifically on the annual away day and the yearly strategic review. Through this, we are able to ensure Ocean Stars continues to evolve as an organisation to be as sustainable and impactful as possible.

Tim Rüepke - Co-opted Trustee

I have been following the remarkable development of OST for over ten years and have had the privilege to be part of the organization as a Co-Opted Trustee since 2019. I personally try to contribute by advising the board on difficult financial decisions and making sure that any contributions are used in the most efficient and effective way. I am proud to see how far OST has come in changing people's lives in Sri Lanka and enables to children have opportunities through the power of education.