Mel had a teaching career spanning 38 years. This included work as a special needs teacher and as a lecturer in child-care. She took early retirement in 2014 to enable her to spend time in mission and has been travelling to Romania twice a year since then – until Covid-19 stopped all travel! In Romania, Mel worked with disabled children in a long-stay residential centre and cared for babies, many of whom had been abandoned, in a children’s hospital.
Eastern Europe has a special place in Mel’s heart. She has a heart for Ukraine and is glad to use her experience to make a difference and share the love of Jesus in practical ways.
Mel became a Christian in 2000 and is an active member of Guildford Baptist Church, where she volunteers in a café ministry. At Guildford, Mel is part of the Food Connections team, which shops for and provides meals to those who are in need. Mel also serves on the Missionary Committee at Guildford. She has a passion for caring and working with babies and children and with those who have special needs and disabilities.
Melanie Gray
Trustee