British Female Inventor and Innovator 2009

The award day and evening was a truly amazing event and I had absolutely no idea I would win the overall award.  At the time of the announcement I was pouring orange juice into the glass of my friend and noticed everyone beginning to stand whilst clapping furiously and looking down on me.  My mother was grabbing my arm and shouted wildly 'You've done it, you've done it' at which point I said 'Done What'!! all I remember is mother saying you have to get up and go to the stage and I still had no idea what was happening.

It was like the BAFTA's of the innovation world and truly an experience I will never forget and one I am honored to carry forwards.

I was so happy to be presented with the award which lasted until the following morning at 5.00 am when I awoke at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff and read The Times which carried an article regarding an elderly lady who was also a carer for her disabled husband and who whilst out shopping had been randomly stabbed eight times in a frenzied unprovoked attack.   This just brought me down to earth with a jolt and I sat sobbing in bed, it was a bitter sweet moment for me, I feel the respect our community has for the elderly is all but lost. I cannot express how much these incidences irk away at me unfortunately with the best intentions in the world even with an alarm in a walking stick I cant stop this awful crime in society occurring, please be aware of your own safety when out walking, walk in well lit areas and not alone in the dark if possible. Please keep safe.

Congratulations to everyone who won an award