After 13 months in the role, our Marketing and Communications Officer, Antonia Liley, will be leaving us today. Antonia will return to the University of Bath to complete her final year undertaking her BSc Social Science studies.

Antonia has been an incredible asset to the Atlas Family over the course of her internship.

Due to the pandemic, our fundraising events have been postponed and Antonia has been integral in finding innovative ways to still raise vital funds for the charity. The London to Cape Town Challenge took place throughout the month of April and raised over £55,000 for our second DigiBus in South Africa, a mobile classroom that can reach 10,000 children across 11 schools. Antonia described this as her biggest achievement in the role.  

More recently, Antonia has been closely working with The British and Irish Lions Trust throughout their tour of South Africa. We are proud to be a charity partner of the Lions and Antonia’s work has included producing an Atlas video that was played at Murrayfield during the first game as well as designing a page of the programme in order to promote our charity.

As well as her vital role in the Atlas Foundation, Antonia was also responsible for the Marketing and Communications of our associated Front Row Club and, for one day a week, was a Parliamentary Assistant to our Trustee Lord Addington in the House of Lords.

Founder and Chairman Jason Leonard OBE said:

"Everyone here at Atlas bids a fond farewell to Antonia Liley, our Marketing and Communications Officer today. A much-valued member of the Atlas family, who has gone above and beyond in regards of all she has done for the Charity and we cannot sing her praises loud enough. She is hard working, resourceful, trustworthy, diligent, loyal and passionate about Atlas. We wish her all the very best with her final exams at Bath Uni." - Jason Leonard, OBE.

Michael Whitfield, Trustee & Treasurer said:

"As a team we cannot sing Antonia’s praises loud enough, she has been outstanding in her placement with Atlas, in the most challenging period any of us will have experienced in the UK in our lifetime. She is destined to become a superstar in whichever field she ends up in." - Michael Whitfield.

Sue Anderson, Executive Director of Atlas South Africa, said:

"On behalf of Atlas South Africa, a word of great thanks to Antonia for her brilliant assistance!  Always delivered with a gracious hand and warm smile, we are going to miss you greatly Antonia.  All the best for your final year studies…you bring a wealth of experience back to the table!" - Sue Anderson.

See Antonia (left) and Abbey (right), pictured with Neil Blewitt, at Atlas's Annual Golf Day Fundraiser at Kingswood Golf Course.