Karen

Status: Living and surviving. Occupation: Mortgage Adviser, charity representatvie, mum.

Education: Open University for my fundraising qualificition. Various Cets courses Croydon College (long time ago!), Lady Edridge Girls School, Ecclesourne School.

My website: Click here

Favourite movies: Lost Boys, non-gruesome horrors, sci-fi films generally.

Favourite music: Rock music, jazz, new age music when want to chill. Red Hot Chill Peppers, Snow Patrol, LIVE MUSIC when I don't want to chill.

Favourite TV: Ok, I admit I'm addicted to Deal Or No Deal. QI, documentaries, paranormal programmes, Have I Got News For You, Flog It ... I don't know why. Just easy watching?

Favourite books: Narnia ... first books I read ... but I must admit it is now difficult to give the time needed to really enjoy a good book!

Favourite websites: justgiving.com/croydonkaren, mssociety.org.uk, bbc.co.uk

Favourite quote: It's as pleasurable to give as is to get.

Interests: I've just begun a fitness instructor course, so perhaps I can help others gain the same benefit from exercise I have. Addicted to yoga and pilates! Helping others' paranormal scientific investigations.

Describe yourself: I'm chatty, friendly and sociable. I like helping others when I can. I'm open-minded and I'd like to think relatively self-less. Not perfect though and occasionally a little naughty, but it's harmless fun! Oh yes, I've been living with a multiple sclerosis diagnosis since 1998 but unless you know me you would not know.

What's happening? Well, life's begun. I had a tandem jump to celebrate my 40th birthday and support MS Trust. I've got my girls, Tabitha (16) at Coulsdon College and Rebecca (12) at Shirley High School necessitating a certain amount of my time (but that comes free with my love).

I've just begun a CETS course to qualify as a fitness instructor. I've applied to the London Marathan through MS Society and through Flora directly ... still waiting to see if accepted but have tentatively begun to train.

This year's personal charity goal is supporting the Croydon branch of MS charity BUT also I hope to help the local community especially now I'm the charitable representative for the London and south east area of my the Yorkshire Building Society's charitable foundation. Oh yes, and there's hubby Gary too!

Most like to meet? My hero ... I just haven't discovered who that is yet? (sorry Gary).

Number one goal in life? Always making a positive difference to the world that I live ... be it small gestures or larger ones. Whether it be spending some time with with a lonely soul or raising lots of money and awareness of good causes and charities.

Reviews: The story of my 40th birthday at the Cartoon in Croydon on June 24, 2006. I was still only 39 but what's two days between friends.