New MMUK Trustee

The Melanesian Mission UK is delighted to announce that Dave Friswell has graciously offered to stand as a Trustee, with a specific responsibility for Fundraising. The Trustees co-opted Dave in January, and he will be formally proposed as a Trustee at the 2025 Annual General Meeting. Many of our supporters will remember Dave from his time as General Secretary of MMUK. Here, Dave shares insights into his Melanesian journey.

I grew up with the Melanesian Mission being ‘part of the family’, having a great uncle who sailed out to the Islands with the Mission in 1932. Although I never met Uncle Harry, the letters with the wonderful stamps would land on our doorstep and the stories would follow. Little did I know as a five-year-old that 35 years later I too would be working for MMUK as the General Secretary! I held this post for seven wonderful years meeting some great supporters in the UK and many Melanesians across the islands and whilst they were visiting the UK.

Times moved on and other roles within the world of mission work called but I am now very pleased to be back involved with MMUK at Trustee level. Although as a group of trustees we have corporate responsibility for all aspects of the work, I have come on board to help steer the thinking and strategy for how we can increase the live giving to MMUK, and through us, the Church of Melanesia. Over the past 175 years financial support has come through many parish churches and dedicated individual. Over the coming months we hope to engage with more churches and their members to explore how MMUK can help them build a living, faith-based relationship with the vibrant, mission focussed church in Solomons and Vanuatu.

My current day job finds me restoring customers classic cars for four days each week. It is interesting and varied work – never knowing quite what will be coming in next. Most of the cars are from the 1950s to the 70s and include Jaguars, Aston Martins, Porsches, Mercedes though little old Minis and Morris Minors also feature now and again. On my ‘day off’ I am currently doing a three-year apprenticeship in traditional and modern upholstery. Never to old to learn new things!

I have been married to Sarah for nearly 38 years, and we have a daughter who is currently finishing her Part 3 Architecture study.