Amy Duffield, 1989–2013
Born in 1989, Amy came into the world as the only child to her parents Sharon and Tom. She was their everything. Only eight years later, Tom passed away suddenly – this was, understandably, a very difficult time for both Sharon and Amy. Together, they found some solace by surrounding themselves with animals, whether this be their dogs and cats or through the companionship they found with horses. From a young age, Amy was a keen rider and cherished the bond she made with her horses. She continued to nurture this love throughout her life, maintaining her commitment to them during her education and time studying at Leeds University. It was apparent that the bond she held with her horses helped her deal with the stresses of modern life and acted as a constant in what continues to be an ever-changing world.
In August 2013, Amy came down with what most assumed was a ‘common cold’. Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated quickly, and she was rushed to hospital. It was over the next four days that the worlds of everyone close to her changed irrevocably. It was found that Amy had contracted a virus which had attacked her heart muscle, in turn affecting all her organs and requiring her to be placed on a ventilator for the best chance of survival. The ICU teams at both the Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital delivered exceptional care, doing everything possible to aid Amy’s survival. It was despite their best efforts that Amy passed away in August 2013.
Sharon Duffield, 1956–2020
After Amy’s death, her mum, Sharon Duffield, dedicated her life to raising money in Amy’s name. To gratefully acknowledge all that the Nottingham University Hospitals had done for Amy, Sharon – alongside family and friends – went on to raise £120,000 through a series of fundraising events. This enabled the hospital to purchase additional equipment and open a new training facility, named the ‘Duffield Training Room’, in Amy’s memory. Sharon wasn’t done there and continued fundraising in Amy’s name, making multiple donations to therapeutic equestrian centres to support disadvantaged children and young people. Her ongoing fundraising became known as ‘Amy’s Trust’, a name we’ve carried through to today to honour where our story began.
It was later, in May 2020, that we sadly lost Sharon to cancer. It was Sharon’s wish that a charity dedicated to helping children and young people be set up in Amy’s name, incorporating Amy’s endless love of horses. Sharon left her estate to this cause, and this is what has enabled us to undertake this project in memory of Amy.
And so, here we are today in 2025. Our board of trustees comprises a devoted team of friends, professionals, and equine experts. Together, we’re dedicated to creating an effective and progressive facility for children and young people across Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas, to benefit from the healing power of horses.
about US
our story
The journey of Amy’s Trust began with a girl and her connection with horses. It continued with a mother’s love for her daughter and a profound belief in the healing potential of the horse-human bond. It has since grown into a sanctuary for young people where healing and growth can unfold.
the people
Our team brings together passionate individuals dedicated to supporting the mental and emotional health of children and young people through the healing power of horses. Each person at Amy’s Trust contributes their unique talents to create a professional and successful charity provision.
the place
Surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Vale of Belvoir, our facility provides a peaceful setting for young people to experience connection during challenging times. With purpose-built spaces for both horse and human, Amy’s Trust offers a haven where young people can find their way.
Amy's trust CIO 