I was born and bred in Portsmouth, with my family rooted in the town for generations. My grandfather ran a shop on Crasswell Street, and my dad was a well-known coal merchant who started his business in the 1960s and delivered locally for over 40 years.

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I moved to Gosport in 1997 and have lived in the same house in Bridgemary ever since. For the past 12 years I’ve run a dog walking and daycare business here, spending my days out in the community. My children attended local pre-schools, nurseries and schools, and were involved in Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Army Cadets.

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My youngest child faced a long and difficult battle for an SEN diagnosis and an EHCP, eventually attending an SEN school. Even with everything in place, I still had to fight for the support he needed. I know first-hand how hard this is for parents, and I know it’s about to become even harder with the proposed government changes.

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I became interested in Reform by accident after trying, repeatedly, to get a local issue resolved. I contacted councillors, council departments and highways before finally succeeding after months of emails and a formal complaint. It left me feeling I could do better.

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Every day I see how neglected our town has become and how hard life is for so many. I believe the most vulnerable are being failed. My aim is to be a campaigner who is visible, accessible and listens. Bridgemary needs a community hub and a clear point of contact. I want to be that voice — with your help.