I LEFT SCHOOL WHEN I WAS JUST 16. I wasn’t the academic type and wanted to go into the police force, just like my mother before me. But they didn’t want me when I applied for the police cadets at 16, as the cadets didn’t accept candidates with spectacles! I was told to reapply for the regular police force when I was 18. But when the time came, demand for places was incredibly high – so the speccy girl didn’t get a look in!
MY EARLY CV IS QUITE AN INTERESTING READ. My first job was in our local newsagents, then I worked on an archaeological dig and manned the radio for a fruit machine company. While I was there, the manager noticed a discrepancy in expenses and asked me to investigate. I discovered I had a brain for business, but still didn’t know quite where my life was leading me.
MY PARENTS ARE STILL MY GREATEST ROLE MODELS. They instilled in me a firm work ethic. Dad was a civil engineer and away with work most of the time, while Mum was one of the first women police officers in Lancashire. I admire her so much – bringing up a family, working in such a responsible job and doing everything by herself because Dad was away so much.
LIFE CAN BE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. In 1987, just weeks after our son was born, my husband Paul – a police officer – was involved in a terrible accident and both his feet were crushed. He was disabled and pensioned off. Suddenly, I found myself caring for both my husband and baby.
I’M NO DOMESTIC GODDESS. I soon realised, with a heavy heart, that I wasn’t one of those women suited to staying at home. I remember sitting on the stairs at home saying, “I have to go out to work or I’ll go mad.” Paul was great. He said, “You go to work, I’ll bring up the baby.” I still can’t thank him enough for that.
I’VE WORKED FOR CHARITIES FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS. Not that I had a great calling to do so – a few weeks after the ‘sitting on the stairs’ incident, I happened to see an advert for a job as area appeals assistant for the NSPCC and went for it. It was pure chance and I was stunned when I got the job. I’ve never been tempted into the business world because – like
my mum – I want to serve, and helping charities reach their potential is one way of doing that.
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I’VE ALWAYS BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO’VE SHARED MY VISION AND ENTHUSIASM. I have no patience with people who refuse to accept change or those who think the world owes them a living. The world owes you nothing – you have to get up, go out and have purpose.
MY FIRST DAY AT BATTERSEA WAS VERY SPECIAL. I walked into my office and it was filled with cards. One was from all my new colleagues. It simply said, ‘Welcome home’. It did feel like I’d come home – animals are my passion. When you combine that with the fact that Battersea is such an iconic charity it really did feel like my life had come together.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO RETURN TO EDUCATION. Part of me had always regretted not going to university, so I ended up doing an MBA in my 40s. The moment I stood in my graduation gown in front of my parents, husband and son was the proudest of my life.
I LOVE THE FACT EVERY ANIMAL WE TAKE IN HAS A STORY. Take Reggie for example, a four-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier that came to us in January. He had been used as a ‘bait dog’ to train other dogs to fight. He had awful scars on his face and muzzle but despite his treatment, he was taken in by a fabulous family and was able to learn to love and trust again – he’s one happy dog this Christmas!
SADLY, JUST AFTER CHRISTMAS, WE STILL SEE A PEAK IN THE NUMBER OF UNWANTED ANIMALS COMING TO THE SHELTER. I wish the ‘dog is for life’ message was getting through more. I can’t stress strongly enough how important it is to think about the responsibilities involved before taking on a pet. And I urge people to never give an animal as a gift.
MY HUSBAND SAYS I COULD SLEEP ON A WASHING LINE. Nothing keeps me awake – when my head hits the pillow, that’s it. I do worry, but then when I think about it, everything I’ve done – good or bad – has brought me to where I am now and I’m thankful for that.