I have worked in all kinds of community work over the past 26 years or so, working with the disabled, people with health issues, people in debt and with housing problems.

I have developed a heartfelt interest in the Philippines since visiting there in February 2007 and have been back again since. The country is beautiful and the people I have met have been wonderful. I am concious of the country's problems and want to do my bit to help.

My fiance is working out in the Philippines at present, with a charity working alongside Gawad Kalinga, and I want to do my bit to raise awareness of the country's problems and also raise funds for work in the Philippines.

I am very much taken (happily so!!), and looking forward to the fun of juggling family life (with six children between us) and work with an ongoing commitment to the Philippines, when we are all reunited in 2008.