I was working in the NHS as a dietitian in 1991 and continued to do this in addition to managing therapy services until 2015 when I retired.

My Fellowship was for a caving expedition to south-west China in 1991. The purpose of my Fellowship was to help the Chinese to understand the hydrology of the area so they could control flooding and search for reliable water supplies. At the time I had been caving for eight years and was passionate about exploration and introducing others to the magic of caves. I continued to be active in caving for many years, and still go underground but now it is much less often and in easier caves.

Travelling to a remote part of China increased my desire to travel and experience adventure sports. Over the years I have taken part in rock climbing, scuba diving and sailing in many parts of the world, culminating in sailing from the Caribbean to New Zealand across the Pacific with my husband in our own boat. He works in adventure sports and together we have introduced many other people to climbing, diving and sailing. I feel strongly that the combination of outdoor adventure and travel is a powerful way to appreciate other cultures and reduce barriers between different peoples.