President 2025-2026

I am truly honoured to serve as this year’s President of the Nomads — a society that has shaped my life, my family, and so many cherished friendships.
From my earliest days at Sale Academy of Dance to performing in the Panto, I have grown up surrounded by this extraordinary community. Both my parents were deeply involved, and now my children, Lauren and Archie, are following the same path. Nomads has always been more than a society — it is family, support, and friendship, often for life.

I am also immensely proud to help run the Mini Nomads youth group. Every Sunday, I watch our young performers grow in confidence, fill the room with energy and laughter, and discover their own voices. These moments bring me so much joy. Nomads is a sanctuary — a place where young people can be themselves, free from pressure or judgement, and simply experience the happiness of being a child. This year, my chosen charities are Manchester Foundation Trust Charity (supporting Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital) and Sale Nomads.— two causes very close to my heart. As a child, I underwent a major operation at Pendlebury Children’s Hospital. I will never forget the kindness, patience, and care shown by the staff, and how they supported not only me but my whole family during an incredibly worrying time. Those experiences have stayed with me and inspire me to give something back to children and families facing similar challenges today.

Hospital can be a frightening place for a child — cold, clinical, unfamiliar, and far from home. While medical treatment is vital, it is the little things — a friendly smile, a comforting touch, moments of play and laughter — that can make those long, scary days a little easier.

Our fundraising will support Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital’s priority charitable fund, which can be accessed by all areas across the hospital. RMCH is the largest and busiest children’s hospital in the UK, which includes 10 inpatient wards, alongside a wide range of outpatient clinics, as well as dedicated Play and Youth Services, meaning this support has the potential to benefit children and young people throughout the hospital..

• The Play Team — bringing laughter, distraction, and a sense of normality during difficult hospital stays. 

• The Youth Service — supporting young people transitioning to adult wards and helping them adjust when returning home.

• The Burns Unit is the largest specialist burns unit in the country and was the very first of its kind when it opened back in 1953. Thanks to charitable funding the unit is able to run vital residential camps each year, bringing burn-injured children together to provide fun activities geared towards rehabilitation and increasing self-esteem.

Charitable funds are used to go above and beyond what the NHS can’t provide, helping to fund priority items that make a real difference to patient care and experience. The funds raised will be split equally between Manchester Foundation Trust Charity and Sale Nomads — ensuring future generations can grow, perform, and build friendships that last a lifetime, continuing a community of support, love, and friendship for years to come.

Thank you for supporting me this year.

Together, we can bring comfort, joy, and hope to children and families when they need it most.

Sandie Cowle