The day I contacted the Princes Trust I was at a 'Million Hands' scout event in Chelmsford, helping on  the sight tunnel for young scouts and guides  - you walked through the tunnel blindfolded in pitch black and had different textures beneath and you and the side of you to give you an idea of what it was like to live with sight loss. It was my last month with the charity. One of my colleagues was instrumental in organising the event. I'll call her Stacey fro data protection reasons. Stacey had been blind since 18, she had macular degeneration. Unfortunately she also had a terminal cancer diagnosis too and was undergoing chemotherapy. Despite all of this, this remarkable lady kept going! She gave her all to her job and she must have been in lots of pain, but she was there with a smile and told all the children about how her guide dog helped her. She told them how she knew what colour jeans were blue or black by popping a little safety pin on the back. That few hours with Stacey, gave me a figurative kick up the bum! What was I doing winging and moaning that I was on a maternity cover contract when I had my whole life and career ahead of me? So in the carpark I sent a text to the Princes Trust and the rang me back. I explained my impending unemployment situation and they gave me the dates for a launch group - a week's course with other budding entrepreneurs where you learn details about tax, marketing and sales. I nearly said I couldn't make it, but I didn't I pushed through. I will never forget that day, spending time, the last time, with Stacey and admiring her resilience and the blue sky and fluffy clouds in front of me when I text the Trust. Running a business is scary, pushes you out of your comfort zone but you have to try and it's important to share your passion with the world even if you may look silly or people don't agree with you. 

Without the Trust and my business mentor's Peter's help I wouldn't have had the confidence or knowledge to run a business and work hands on with peoples beloved pets. I'm really proud that we provide solo dog walks for dogs that may not cope well in a group environment and visit cats in the comfort of their own home. I'm so blessed that through my business and being around an amazing companion animal care community that I'm in a world that is constantly learning about companion animals and have their best interests at heart. I wouldn't have this knowledge  existed if I didn't reach my dream with working with animals. I'm excited to add new services and expand my business and want to raise money for the Trust to thank them!