Tributes have been paid to National Emergencies Trust (NET) board member Elizabeth Balgobin who has passed away after being diagnosed with inoperable cancer.

She joined emergency aid organisation NET as a trustee in 2021 and has also held senior roles at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) and the Bowlby Centre.

Until December last year she was chief executive of mental health charity the Bowlby Centre and at the CIoF she spent more than a year as its head of equality, diversity and inclusion until May 2021.

In a statement the NET said that it had lost a “wonderful trustee and friend” who was “a passionate advocate for social justice” and a “force to be reckoned with in the UK’s voluntary and community sector for more than 30 years”.

The NET added: “Whether as chief executive at mental health charity, The Bowlby Centre, dead of diversity and inclusion at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, a volunteer or leader at a diverse array of London VCS organisations or in her many roles at the National Emergencies Trust, whatever hat Elizabeth has worn, her strong value system always guided her actions.

“We are privileged that Elizabeth chose to be part of the National Emergencies Trust’s journey for the last four years - formerly as a co-optee to the Allocations Committee, and latterly as a trustee.

“She was nothing short of instrumental in ensuring funds from the £99+ million Coronavirus Appeal were distributed efficiently and, above all, equitably for the benefit of those in great need. In the face of intense external scrutiny, she held steadfast in her commitment to taking a data-led approach to fund distribution - and ensuring equity by bringing lived experience to the forefront of decision-making.”

We are all incredibly sad to hear of the death of our former colleague & friend, Elizabeth Balgobin @balgobinthinks.

Elizabeth was a shining light within our organisation, generous with her time, support & wisdom. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time❤️ pic.twitter.com/i6wdkK4Xul

— Chartered Institute of Fundraising (@CIOFtweets) March 11, 2024

A CIoF statement said the organisations is “incredible sad to head of the death of our former colleague and friend” adding Elizabeth “was a shining light within our organisation, generous with hre time, support and wisdom”.

Her other roles included interim CEO stints at charity sector organisations including London Plus and the Small Charities Coalition. She was also a former regional officer for BBC Children in Need.

Last month Elizabeth revealed that she had stage 4 cancer.

---