My Fellowship allowed me to try and discover the reasons why French women rock-climbers were such a dominant force in the world of rock-climbing, both outdoors on rock and in climbing competitions.

I was then working as a PE teacher in Runcorn, which was quite a socially deprived area. I had been involved in developing outdoor pursuits at my school. This involved taking pupils away at weekends, organising summer camps and thus introducing them to the great outdoors. I developed an outdoor pursuits option as part of the senior school PE programme. Rock-climbing was an integral part of my outdoor pursuits courses, especially as there were various outcrops and quarries that were local to my school, such as Pex Hill. There are so many benefits to be gained from participating in outdoor activities and I felt that the pupils at my school would benefit immensely.

I became an ambassador for DMM Climbing Equipment. I moved to France and continued to teach. I organised many outdoor activity weeks in the mountains.

Although I am now retired, I am involved with our local climbing wall. When I received my Fellowship, I was a passionate rock-climber, and I still am.