I was born in Sheffield, and moved to Wales when I was five. After attending Exeter University, I moved to Southampton in 1999 when I was 23. I never quite meant to come here or to stay but my brother was a student here and we get on famously. I was groomswoman at his wedding recently and was the proudest big sister ever.
The Guardian is a big part of my life in more ways than one. I first discovered it through the Guide, at Glastonbury – hanging that little guide around my neck always made me feel that the festival had started. I get a similar (though less muddy) feeling when I pick it up every weekend. I still read the Guide cover to cover and love the Family section and Consumer champions. I always enjoy reading Annalisa Barbieri, Patrick Butler, Hadley Freeman, Bim Adewunmi, Lucy Mangan, Sophie Heawood and Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett. The Guardian matches my values but also makes me think.
Every Saturday I walk to my local high street, mooch around the charity shops, pick up a Guardian, and take it home. I’ll either read it on Saturday afternoon in one greedy gulp, or leave it on the breakfast table and read it through the week.
It was an article in the Guardian about social enterprise that led me to start my business, Who Made Your Pants? We turn fabric left over from big factories into ethically made, gorgeous pants and provide jobs for women who were refugees. Last year I was voted social entrepreneur of the year.
It all came out of the counselling I received from Southampton Rape Crisis. After a woman there helped me, I wanted to help other women, and I’m good at selling. I started at eight, when I was a volunteer in Bridgend Rugby Club’s shop, selling sweets at half time. I decided to use that power for good and hopefully make lives better. It’s great.
I live near where I work so can cycle in every day. I love cycling and get out for whole-day rides as often as I can. I’m not a lycra-clad power cyclist, but I can go 60 miles, powered by ice-cream and the occasional stop for lunch or gin.
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