Blog
The “shame” of having cancer
The "shame" and "embarrassment" some people feel about admitting to having cancer has been described in this video by Jola Gore-Booth, founder of europacolon. "There's taboo of cancer, there's still embarrassment. People do not want to admit that they have cancer in...
“Deal with Brown, prepare for Cameron”
How should charities communicate and survive the economic downturn? Peter Bingle, chairman of Bell Pottinger Public Affairs had some sound advice - "deal with Brown, prepare for Cameron." It was uncomfortably political for some of the audience at the conference where...
Voting for the FT Climate Change Challenge
It's the kind of zany stuff you might have seen featured on BBC's Tomorrow's World. I am totally blown away by the innovativeness of these five far-reaching ideas which have been shortlisted in the Financial Times Climate Change Challenge which I wrote about last...
My beautiful mother
They broke the mould when they made my mother Loula. Like many of her generation, she has had to overcome many hardships. I remember her telling me how she used to walk miles as a child for a crust of bread to survive the ravages of war. She had no fun-filled...
Jeremy Paxman and The Victorians
There were no free parking spaces left in Ely on Thursday evening - Jeremy Paxman was in town signing copies of The Victorians in our stunning cathedral - and his fans came out in droves. Paxman was on a charm offensive and made no mention of a co-author, claiming...
Introducing Jonathan and Tom from ConservativeHome
While I was in Brussels this week I met up with two great guys from ConservativeHome who have an influential role with the online political media scene, partiuclarly co-editor Jonathan Isaby. who has had quite a few scoops recently, the latest on Lynton Crosby running...
Please support the Natasha Fund
Like millions around the world, I have been stunned by the tragic death of Natasha Richardson, a beautiful, talented, warm and intelligent woman in the prime of her life. She was such a shining star - in more ways than one - and in tribute to her, all the lights in...
A quick trip to Brussels
I've just returned from a quick trip to Brussels where I met my MEP Robert Sturdy's fantastic team for the first time, Neeley, Christine and Alex. Today Robert hosted a manifesto launch for europacolon, raising awareness about colorectal cancer which many people find...
Supporting 1,000 women into leadership roles
I am working with an inspirational woman who has pledged to support 1,000 women into leadership roles by 8th March 2011 to celebrate the centenary of International Woman’s Day. Her name is Tina Fahm (pic left) and she runs a training programme promoting...