Originally from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Kate studied International Business Studies at university in Hull, before pursuing a career in the media. Determined to break into the radio and TV industry, Kate began freelancing as a runner at the BBC in Leeds, where she was fortunate to be selected for the BBC’s trainee journalism scheme.
From being a runner, researcher and broadcast assistant, to becoming a fully-fledged broadcast journalist and producer, Kate loved the variety of working in live radio. It was at this point that Kate met her future husband, Nick, who had been posted to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate. A move south to Colchester in Essex then followed to join her other half in his new posting, leaving the world of radio behind to begin a career in PR and media relations.
Just six-weeks after moving south, Nick deployed to Iraq which was the start of a very busy few years of training and deployments for his battalion.
Now based in Bristol, Kate works in media relations and communications at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol).
‘Military life certainly has its ups and downs; there are adventures to be had - moving around, living away from home, and making new friends to name a few. But, this period also marked a very difficult time in my life, which has definitely changed me as a person.’
‘In 2012 we decided to try for a family. Sadly, I had multiple miscarriages and failed rounds of IVF which means we have a child-free life. I describe it in that way as I try so hard to look at the positives of our situation. The last decade has been about grieving and trying to come to terms with the loss, as well as redefining what our lives may be.’
‘For me, taking part in the FWC Ride to Freedom is about finding myself again. I’m so grateful to the team at FWC for this incredible opportunity which will give me the chance to step out of my comfort zone and do something extraordinary, instead of standing at the side-lines hoping I have the strength to simply get through the day.’
‘Each one of us has got our reasons for taking part; by supporting each other during this extraordinary challenge I know we’ll each achieve our goal to ‘find our freedom’.
Kate is one of FWC’s R2F Team members- who will tackle the challenging terrain surrounding the ‘WWII Freedom Trail’ across the Pyrenees Mountains on horseback in June 2023.