When I was 13 years old, I had my first experience of heartbreak, when I lost my Granny, Marion Walker. She, along with my Grandad, Derak, was a resident at Galanos House, a Royal British Legion nursing home located in my home town of Southam. 

The Royal British Legion looks after ex servicemen and women, as well as their dependants. My Grandad was incredibly proud to have served in the Queens Own Hussars, alongside his twin brother; to have that service rewarded with support in his later years, I'm sure would have meant a great deal to him. For him to be able to continue to live with his wife of 40 years, meant all the more to us, his family. 

My very favourite memory of my Grandad was in the entrance hall to Galanos House, where he asked me to dance with him, because he could hear the folk singer in the dining room. I don’t very often dance, but moments like that are priceless, and Galanos and the Legion gave myself and my family the opportunity to form such precious memories with both my Grandad and Granny in their last years.

When Granny became ill, I was 13; I'd never lost anyone before, and naively I probably thought I never would. So when I saw my lovely Granny without her jewellery on, and was told to say goodbye, I had no idea what to do. I don't remember exactly what happened; at some point, I ended up out in the corridor with my sister, crying my eyes out, and telling myself it wasn't going to happen. I don't remember the nurse who came to see us; I just remember being hugged, and I remember being comforted, and I remember feeling that it was ok to feel like this was the worst day ever. If I tried to tell you the words I heard, I'd fail. I just know that that she inspired something inside me that I wouldn't understand for another five years. It was only when my Grandad passed away, and I was old enough to really appreciate and understand the care and support that he was receiving, that I realised this was the kind of career I wanted to be part of. I remember leaving Galanos House the day my Grandad passed away, knowing that I wanted to come back as a carer... And a few short months later, I did.

Now, 7 years later, not only have I completed my Nursing training and graduated with a Bachelors of Science, registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in January 2017, but, after almost a year in the hospital setting, I am now back working at Galanos House, alongside the very same people who inspired me to take this journey in the first place. I am passionate about supporting families and individuals at the end of life, and am about to apply for a Masters in Palliative Care.

I currently get to work for an inspiring charity, and deliver great Nursing care to incredible people everyday, which is amazing, in and of itself. But Galanos is part of a much wider organisation, which supports veterans and their families throughout all stages of life, not just the latter end. As well as offering Nursing care and respite services, the legion provides financial support, employment and rehabilitation to ex-servicemen and women throughout their lives. For all those reasons, and many more I couldn't begin to list, I will be running the famous London Marathon this year. I am overwhelmed to have been offered a place on Team Legion, and I hope that by doing so, I can help raise money to allow this wonderful organisation to continue it's work.


Any donation, however small, will go towards continuing the great work that the Royal British Legion does every day, and helping repay our ex service-men and women for the selfless service they have given to our country. 

Thank you for your support!