Our story
After Gil's sudden death in a swimming pool, his mother, Elham, and Michael founded Gilly&Rob to support the education, health and wellbeing of children and young people.
Based on family photographs
In memory of Gil
After Gil's sudden death in a swimming pool, Elham sought a way to honour her son's memory through care for other children. Together with Michael, she founded Gilly&Rob to support children's education, health and wellbeing, with a focus on opportunities to swim, play and learn.
Elham / Co-founder
Elham is a successful businesswoman from a prominent family known for years of charitable giving across different causes. This family tradition, together with her experience in business, shaped the commitment she brought to Gilly&Rob. In her son Gil's memory, she has provided substantial financial support for children and educational centres.
Michael / Co-founder
Michael is a senior executive with experience in major oil and gas companies. He joined Elham in founding Gilly&Rob and has contributed substantial financial support to its work. Together, they have helped fund teaching pools, swim instructor training, safe playgrounds, and opportunities for children to explore technology and robotics.
From remembrance to action
Elham and Michael have contributed to the establishment of teaching pools, the training of swimming instructors, the development of safe playgrounds, and early technology and robotics education. Through Gilly&Rob, they have supported children and educational centres across Europe and Africa.
Our family and our name
Gil, affectionately known as Gilly, and his twin brother Robert, or Rob, were born in 2014. Their names gave the charity its name. Following Gil's death in 2019, Elham and Michael's family later grew with the arrival of their son Mathew. The family's love for its children remains at the heart of this commitment to others.
In Gil's memory
Our work is rooted in remembrance and expressed through care for the children whose futures are still taking shape.
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