I had the honour of delivering a fundraising resilience talk at the Caterham School Sports Pavilion in support of two charities that mean a great deal to me personally, Samaritans and Neuroharmony.
Speaking for Samaritans was especially emotional. I used to volunteer for them, so standing in front of that audience knowing the quiet, life-saving work they do every single day made this talk feel deeply personal. It wasn’t just a presentation, it was a chance to give something back to a charity that supports people in their darkest moments.
The atmosphere in the room was warm, open and incredibly supportive. I shared my lived experience of learning resilience the hard way and how those lessons apply to real life, not just theory. The response from the audience was humbling: thoughtful questions, meaningful conversations afterwards, and a real sense that the message landed.
Most of all, I loved doing this talk. It reminded me why I speak about resilience at all: because real stories can create real connection, and real connection can change lives. To raise funds and awareness for two charities doing such vital work made this event truly special.
