About Us
The family and friends behind the Foundation, working to support young people in Andrew’s name
Jude Gidney
Hello, I’m Jude, Andrew’s mum.
I founded the Andrew Gidney Foundation towards the end of the pandemic, a time that gave me the space to reflect and channel my grief into something positive. After losing Andrew, it felt important to create something meaningful within the local community—something that could improve the prospects and wellbeing of young people.
Andrew had a profound influence on my life. He encouraged me to become a better version of myself, supporting me through my university application and believing in me every step of the way. Today, I am a registered nurse, using my caring abilities to support others, and I also run wellbeing groups within the local community for anyone who feels they may benefit.
I began my mission by bringing together a small group of parents, many of whom had experienced just how close things can come to crisis. Together, we met with NHS managers to better understand the support available for young people and to explore how services might be improved. While change can feel slow, I believe that even small steps in the right direction matter.
Andrew and I were very close, sharing a love of cooking and art, and his creativity continues to inspire me. Through the Foundation, I aim to nurture that same creativity in others, supporting projects that give young people a voice, a sense of purpose, and hope for the future.
Alison Grinter
I am Andrew’s aunt and a founding member and trustee of the Andrew Gidney Foundation.
Andrew was a deeply cherished nephew & I hold very fond memories of the precious time we spent together throughout his childhood, teenage years & into young adulthood; times such as - Andrew & his brother Chris washing my car together and getting bored after only about 5 minutes & leaving it covered in soap suds; playing the amazing games that he invented at Christmas - in particular the infamous 'sock game' and Andrew beating the whole family at Racing Demon with a cheeky grin on his face; and most recently, enjoying watching him as he grew into a lovely young man who was thoughtful, articulate, ambitious & entrepreneurial.
I was devastated when we lost him at just 20 years old; I do not want another family to have to go through what we have over the last 7 years. As such, I am very proud to be a founding and active member of the Andrew Gidney Foundation, which helps to raise awareness of mental health & suicide prevention and to fundraise to support projects in the Saddleworth area that give young people opportunities to learn, express themselves, make friends & enjoy themselves.
I also value the time spent with the other trustees, Andrew’s mum, dad, brother & close friends, at our monthly meetings, remembering Andrew & doing something positive in his memory.
Kevin Gidney
Kevin is Andrew’s dad and a founding trustee of the Andrew Gidney Foundation. The charity was founded in Andrew’s memory to support projects in Saddleworth — the place where he grew up and felt most at home — that encourage individuality, creativity, computing skills, and positive mental wellbeing in young people. These were all passions close to Andrew’s heart.
Kevin cherishes the time he and Andrew spent together, whether exploring the countryside on long walks, talking about life and ideas, enjoying music or discovering new technology side by side. Andrew’s curiosity, humour, and love of the outdoors shaped so much of their time together, and continue to inspire Kevin’s work with the Foundation.
Through the charity, Kevin helps raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention, while fundraising to support local projects that give young people opportunities to learn, express themselves, and stay connected to their community. Kevin hopes that Andrew’s spirit — his inquisitiveness, kindness, and love of walking in the hills of Saddleworth and beyond — continues to inspire others for generations to come.
Gary Flanagan
Gary joined as a Trustee of the Andrew Gidney Foundation after getting to know Andrew’s family while working in NHS Oldham. Gary now works as an Assistant Director for Mental Health Strategic Commissioning for NHS Greater Manchester, with a focus on services for people experiencing mental health crisis, who often require urgent care services. Working in the NHS is often busy and demanding, and it is important to keep sight of what matters, that is – understanding people’s needs to shape the right care.
As a Trustee for the AGF charity, Gary is able to bring a level of experience in working with mental health services for over 10 years, and supporting with links to mental health and suicide prevention networks in Greater Manchester. Gary is passionate about transformation and delivering positive change in mental health support in Oldham and GM, and welcomes the chance to do this as a Trustee for the AGF charity alongside his ‘day job’.
Chris Gidney
Chris is Andrew’s older brother and has been a trustee of the Andrew Gidney Foundation since it began in 2022, alongside his parents, Jude and Kevin. He grew up in Saddleworth and lived there for around twenty years; the many memories made in that time give it a special place in his heart.
Chris and Andrew had a lot in common. Both were keen gamers who built their own PCs at home, both went on to study computing at university, and both loved electronic music, passions that brought them closer as brothers.
Chris manages the Foundation’s website hosting and development. The site is where people can get in touch about grants, make donations, and read about funded projects and the Foundation’s work in suicide prevention and mental health awareness. By day, Chris is a software developer at a digital agency, with eight years’ experience in .NET and Umbraco, now working full stack. He hopes Andrew’s curiosity and love of computers can help open doors for young people in Saddleworth for years to come.