Graduate and 2025 Alumni Achievement Award winner leading the way in stroke research and awareness
Fiona Moss (English Language and Literature, 2013) received the Outstanding Social and Civic Contribution award for her work with the Natalie Kate Moss Trust (NKMT), a charity dedicated to advancing research into haemorrhagic strokes and promoting public awareness around stroke prevention and blood pressure management.
3 April 2025
Fiona Moss (English Language and Literature, 2013) received the Outstanding Social and Civic Contribution award for her work with the Natalie Kate Moss Trust (NKMT), a charity dedicated to advancing research into haemorrhagic strokes and promoting public awareness around stroke prevention and blood pressure management.
The Alumni Achievement Awards celebrate Newcastle University graduates who are making an outstanding impact in their industries and communities around the world. Open year-round for nominations, the awards recognise exceptional alumni each quarter, with overall category champions honoured at the annual University Awards gala dinner.
The Outstanding Social and Civic award celebrates alumni who are making a real difference in their community. It recognises those who volunteer for community groups, support underrepresented communities, or create businesses and cultural initiatives that benefit society.
Meet Fiona
Fiona is the founder and director of NKMT, a charity dedicated to funding research into haemorrhagic strokes and raising awareness of stroke prevention. Since its establishment, the Trust has driven significant advancements in medical research, including the adoption of life-saving stroke treatments across the NHS. She now leads the Trust full-time, spearheading campaigns and education initiatives to improve stroke prevention and awareness.
We speak to Fiona about her journey, the impact of NKMT, and her advice for aspiring changemakers.
Hi Fiona, thanks for speaking with us! Could you please tell us about your journey from Newcastle to where you are today?
My journey has come full circle in many ways. My sister, Natalie, passed away in the middle of my degree, in December of my second year. It was a profound loss that shaped my university experience, but I still look back on my time at Newcastle as an amazing period where I made lifelong friends.
What stands out most about Newcastle is its unique culture and community. The city-centre location of the campus made me feel immersed in city life, which I loved.
The NKMT was founded while you were still at university. What inspired you to start the charity, and how has it evolved since then?
When Natalie passed away in 2011, my family and I wanted to channel our grief into something positive. We didn’t just want to mourn her loss; we wanted to drive meaningful change in her name.
In 2012, we approached the University of Manchester, where she had studied, to explore ways to support stroke research. At the time, most research focused on ischaemic strokes, which are widely recognised through public health campaigns. However, haemorrhagic strokes, like the one Natalie suffered, were underfunded and overlooked.
We began by funding a small research project, but as NKMT grew, so did our contributions. Today, what started as support for a single PhD student has expanded into a dedicated research team of over 30 specialists. The treatments developed through our funding are now being implemented across NHS England, making a real impact from bench to bedside.
How did your experience at Newcastle help shape your mission to support others and lead public health campaigns?
Firstly, Newcastle’s strong sense of community was invaluable. The friendships and networks I built helped me develop the confidence and leadership skills that I use daily.
Secondly, when I was at Newcastle, the breast cancer charity Coppafeel visited campus and encouraged students to sign up for monthly text reminders to check for symptoms. That simple initiative stuck with me, and now it is the kind of public health engagement we aim to replicate with our blood pressure awareness campaign, making health checks a normal, routine part of life.
What has it been like leading the charity as a full-time director?
It’s been incredible, despite having to wear many hats! The team has grown significantly since our small family beginnings, and we’re still expanding and developing new departments, which is really exciting.
My role has shifted from hands-on fundraising to long-term strategy as the Trust has grown. In 2020, we committed to raising £300,000, marking a shift from a reactive organisation to a proactive charity. This funding allowed us to expand beyond research to focus on stroke prevention and public education.
Right now, my biggest priority is our blood pressure awareness campaign. High blood pressure is a leading cause of haemorrhagic strokes, yet one in three people have high blood pressure, and half of them are undiagnosed. We want to normalise regular blood pressure checks, just like brushing your teeth.
I spend a lot of time speaking at corporate wellness events and developing school programmes to educate people about stroke prevention from an early age. We’re also working to integrate blood pressure monitoring into gyms and workplaces, making it a standard part of health management.
What do you see as the charity’s biggest achievements so far, and what are your hopes for the future?
One of our proudest achievements is seeing the research we funded being rolled out across the NHS. It’s been amazing to watch it evolve from early trials in Manchester, to regional implementation in the North West, and now to nationwide adoption.
Looking ahead, our core goal is to change the landscape of haemorrhagic strokes by raising awareness and improving prevention and treatment.
Most people don’t realise how critical blood pressure management is to their overall health. Globally, there are 4.6 million cases of haemorrhagic strokes per year—more than the entire population of Croatia! In the UK alone, over 10,000 cases occur annually.
Our mission is to reduce these numbers by helping people understand the risks and take preventative action.
What motivates you to keep going, despite the challenges?
One of the biggest challenges is that brain haemorrhages are not as well-known as other types of strokes or diseases.
Most public awareness campaigns focus on ischaemic strokes, while haemorrhagic strokes remain largely overlooked. Unlike conditions with clear early warning signs, haemorrhagic strokes happen suddenly, leaving little room for intervention. This makes prevention—through blood pressure management—even more critical.
Despite these challenges, I’m motivated by the real impact we’re making. I also love the diversity of my role—one day I might be recording a podcast, the next I’m organising a charity event, and another day I’m collaborating with researchers. There’s always something new to tackle, which keeps me inspired.
Many graduates aspire to start their own charities or social initiatives. If you could give one piece of advice to a recent Newcastle graduate looking to do the same, what would it be?
The key is to just start—it doesn’t have to be a formal organisation or a large-scale project. Getting involved, even in small ways, can make a difference. Whether it’s volunteering at a local charity or exploring an issue you're passionate about, taking that first step is crucial.
Volunteering isn’t limited to traditional roles; charities need a variety of skills. If you're good at writing, photography, or social media, these talents can be invaluable, even with just an hour a week. The most important thing is to get started, gain experience, and let that shape your ideas and goals.
How alumni can get involved
Our biggest immediate goal is to encourage more people to check their blood pressure regularly. One of our key initiatives is a monthly reminder service, which we encourage everyone to sign up for. By removing the hassle of remembering, we aim to raise awareness and promote proactive health management.
Huge congratulations to Fiona!
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