A friend recently posted and asked what do you find hard to say? For me it was the words “I love you.” I have lived with love and lived without love and on any given day of the week I will always choose to live with love. I envy my generation. These words are uttered so frequently and with ease. They are said so freely and without baggage but to me those three little words are binding. When I say them to someone I am also saying I will look out for you, I will treat you as I too would like to be treated, when you hurt me I will forgive you. I will always look to call out the best in you. These words have been modelled…

For the one Big Love was set up one year ago following five visits to Southern Romania from 2014 - 2019. Big Love was formed following a particularly significant trip in 2018 .  We were stood on a mud track with our three small kids. Amongst the huge pile of rubbish and stray dogs, were children, the same age as ours.  These little ones had no shoes, little clothing and were looking through the huge pile of rubbish. Our two older kids played on the path with a few of the local kids as we held our youngest daughters chubby, well-fed hand.  An uncomfortable question started to form… “God, how can this be their story?” The injustice felt wrong, and the feeling of needing to do something would not leave…

Many years ago I watched a film called Saving Private Ryan.  Released in the 1998, it was considered one of the greatest war films ever made; it was nominated for eleven Academy Awards (it won five), was Best Picture and Director at the Golden Globe Awards and grossed more than $480 million worldwide.   It was based loosely on the story of the Willard brothers, who were four American brothers that served in the military during World War 11. In the movie, Private First Class James Ryan is a paratrooper in the army and one of four sons of the Ryan family.  Tragically, his three brothers were killed in action leaving him the only surviving child of his mother.  After learning that Ryan’s brothers are dead, General Captain Marshall of the…

Just under ten years ago, I retrained to be a teacher. At that time, the Government were promoting the “Every Child Matters” agenda. For every lesson that you taught, you had to consider what the need of the child was and how you were going to meet it (Being healthy, Staying healthy, Enjoy and Achieve, Making a positive contribution). At the time, this resonated with me and continues to be the driving force in my career today. There are many reasons why I am a real champion for the work of Freedom 2. Along with being married to the amazing, inspirational and pioneering founder of the charity, it is the fact that all individuals are valued and invested in. Although, “For the One” is the name of their Ambassador programme,…

  I have really enjoyed watching Freedom 2 emerge and develop over the last few years. The passion the organisation shows in giving a voice to young girls who have, or who are at the risk of exploitation, is invaluable. So many of the younger generation have been lost to trafficking, abuse, trauma and neglect. I want to write today about how these same values that are held by Freedom 2 reflect my story. I had a wonderful childhood with loving parents and a secure home. At the tender age of 23 I met the most beautiful woman, both inside and out. The adventure has lasted for 17 years, so far. They have been filled with ups and downs. One of the biggest disappointments we experienced came through miscarriage and…