Thank you for allowing me to interview you today.  Please can you tell me how long you have lived in Hillingdon? I have lived in Hillingdon from the age of two.

I believe that your children are helping as Escorts during your Mayoral year. With your husband acting as Consort? Yes and they are enjoying this opportunity to support me. 

Can I ask why you decided to be a Councillor? I wanted to serve the Borough and its people.  We are fortunate in the Borough to have dedicated councillors who help their residents in many different ways.  (The Mayor has been a councillor for the Eastcote and East Ruislip ward since she was first elected in 2014. In 2022 she represented the new Eastcote ward.)

Before becoming a Councillor what work we were involved in?  I worked for British Airways in Comet House in the payroll department.  It was a cash operation in those days and I very much enjoyed it and the interaction with colleagues.  Whilst I was there I was also involved with their charities including Shooting Star and Harlington Hospice.

What do you like about living in Hillingdon?  The people who live here and the wide variety of facilities that we have available in the borough, including all the green spaces.

What do you hope to achieve during your Mayoral year.?  My aim is to create new friendships and partnerships with residents and community groups and to highlight the fascinating history of this great borough. I aim to bring people together, encouraging those who have found the past few years difficult signposting and connecting people.  My official role as Mayor means I visit lots of different organisations and groups in the borough, I open events, performances and exhibitions, and welcome schools and community groups to the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber. 

How do you find time to look after your own charity during this year? 

People may not be aware that I run my own charity in the borough, the Hillingdon Brain Tumour & Injury Group which I set up following the death of my late husband who had a meningioma brain tumour.  Before taking on the role of Mayor, I increased staff numbers and I am very lucky to have a great team to carry on the work.

Can I ask how you chose your Mayor Charities to support this year? I chose The Daniella Logun Foundation charity following our work and support of Daniella's family through their journey and the passing of their amazing daughter in 2016. The foundation supports children and young people and their families, living in Hillingdon and the surrounding areas who have been diagnosed with cancer.

My second young and growing charity is The Magical Marvellous Picture House. I chose this charity when it came to my attention while working with various other disability charities.  The charity helps everyone across the borough learn and develop the art and skills of photography for great self-expression regardless of age, ability, disability.  The charity is also creating a shop and training centre to enable the skills being learnt to be used in the workplace and reduce unemployment. 

Thank you Madam Mayor for looking after me at the Civic Centre and leaving me really inspired by your dedication to the people of Hillingdon Borough.