As it’s International Women’s Day on 8 March and Mother’s Day today I wanted to write about the woman who has inspired me to be who I am today – my lovely mum!

Both my sister and I have been brought up believing we can do whatever we want to do regardless of barriers or any hurdles that might be thrown our way.
My mum was sent to the UK by her own mum when she was 15 to look after her four older brothers who had settled in the UK a few years earlier. It was the first time she had ever left Kenya (where she was born) and the first time on a plane. She worked 18 hour days to ensure that my sister and I never struggled when we grew up and we had the best start. Her strength, tenacity and self-belief is something I’ve always found inspiring.
No matter what life brings her she approaches it with as much positivity as she can. When she was diagnosed with mouth cancer a few years ago she never once faltered into a ‘woe me phase’ and she could have, especially as she never smoked, drank and has been a pure vegetarian her whole life. Her fight, determination and unwillingness to give up has taught me a lot.
I understand more now that life is precious and you are responsible for your own happiness. My mum has always taught me to believe in who I am, to trust my own judgments and to fight for what I want, without her I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Happy Mothers Day to my amazing mum and to all you wonderful mummies out there!