I suppose if I had to trace it all back, my volunteering journey really began with my mother. From the age of about four or five, I remember her making fudge, holding jumble sales, always doing something for someone else in the village, rushing around from pillar to post. That’s where it came from really—very young. It just became part of the rhythm of life.
My first real experience of volunteering came during my gap year, between school and teacher training college. I was working as a matron at a school in Dorset, and they had a Riding for the Disabled (RDA) branch there. I remember the joy on those children’s faces—their lives transformed, simply by being lifted onto a pony. Instead of being below everyone in a wheelchair, suddenly they were above people. It was a shift, both physical and emotional. You couldn’t not be moved. That’s when I caught the bug, really. The bug takes hold.
Over the years, I’ve taken on many roles, a lot of them involving fundraising. When we first moved to Buckinghamshire, I got involved with ScanAppeal in High Wycombe and the then Iain Rennie Hospice at Home now Rennie Grove Peace Hospice—We ran events with small committees, raising money.
After serving as High Sheriff, I was introduced to the Buckinghamshire Community Foundation, which later became Heart of Bucks. I was invited to join as a trustee, and eventually became Chair, a role I held for ten years. That work wasn’t about planning big galas—it was about going out to potential donors, sitting with them, and hoping to inspire them. Helping them to see the value of giving.
In terms of the present, I now hold a voluntary role as Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. It’s an extraordinary honour—and yes, I am answerable to the King. I represent the monarch in the county, and am out most days, attending engagements, visiting charities, meeting volunteers. People often ask me, “Where do you find the energy?” And I always say the same thing—I feed off the energy of others. The people I meet are so inspiring, their passion, their commitment—it fuels me.
Looking back, I think my motivation has evolved. When I was younger, I volunteered in quite a localised way—teaching, working in small communities. Now, with Buckinghamshire as my remit, I think more strategically. Where can I make the most difference? That’s something Heart of Bucks really taught me: the power of targeted support. When you focus your energy and resources, the impact can be enormous.
I’ll never forget the “Seeing is Believing” trip I went on. It was through Heart of Bucks. They took us to community projects in High Wycombe, and one of them was Wycombe Homeless Connection. I had been living in Buckinghamshire for ten years, and I had no idea it even existed. That trip changed everything. It opened my eyes. I realised how much goodwill, connection, and community effort was happening—quietly, and often invisibly.
These days, one of the things I love most about my role is the chance to say thank you. To acknowledge effort, to reward kindness, and to celebrate people’s contributions. I can’t tell you how many times someone has said, “Oh, I don’t do it for the thanks,” but when you actually stop and say, “Well done, you’ve done a fantastic job,” they light up. And it matters. That moment of recognition is so powerful.
I have a network of 29 Deputy Lieutenants across the county. They’re my eyes and ears. People I’ve appointed because they share that same drive—to support, thank, and encourage. We all want to make a difference and having that team around me is one of the most affirming parts of the role.
It hasn’t always been easy. Fundraising can be exhausting. You’re always thinking, “Who can I ask next?” And you must be very careful not to overplay your hand—especially with friends. I always felt that pressure until I stepped into this current role, where I no longer fundraise. That change came as an enormous relief. I suddenly had new energy, because I wasn’t constantly chasing the next pound. I could just enjoy the role for what it is—celebrating the good in people.
There have been memorable moments, many of them. One that stands out was an early fundraising event for ScanAppeal. A few of us catered for 250 people in a marquee —out of a tiny kitchen. We worked like a well-oiled team, though most of us barely knew each other. But the motivation was there. And at the end of it all, we raised £15,000. We stood back and thought, “That’s why we do it.” Even when your feet are sore and your nerves are frayed—it’s worth it.
Volunteering has shaped me. I’ve always had that instinct to give, whether through family or charitable work, but I’ve become more focused. More driven. I’ve also learned new skills—speechwriting, for one. I was a teacher, so public speaking came naturally, but writing formal speeches was entirely new. Now I do everything from school visits to marking royal events. It’s a shift—from worker bee to queen bee, if you like. And that responsibility—knowing the buck stops with me—has made me more thoughtful, more considered.
What comes next? Well, when I finish my term as Lord Lieutenant—I’ve got another five and a half years—I think I’ll go back to where I started. Back to the kitchen. Making fudge. Offering help with the washing up. I’ll never stop volunteering, but I think I’ll leave the big leadership roles behind and just be part of the team again. It feels like a full circle.
If anyone’s thinking about volunteering, I’d say this: do it. At any level. Whether it’s committee work or clearing tables—it all matters. Volunteering gives you a whole new perspective on life. You make a difference to others, yes—but the difference it makes to your own life is just as great. You meet extraordinary people. You build friendships. You gather this shared energy that keeps you going. It’s one of the most rewarding things you can do.
And me? Well, I hope I can carry on doing special things for wonderful people.
