WHAT I AM CALLED: Rose.

MY AGE: I am 56 years old.

WHAT I DO: I am a conservation officer – that means I give advice on old buildings and things to do with the ‘built heritage’ (rather than trees and small furry animals).

WHERE I LIVE: I live in Steeple Aston – a village in North Oxfordshire. A great place for good walks.

WHO I LOVE: I love my family and my fabulous and supportive friends.

HAPPIEST YEAR: Why stick to one happy year? The years when my children, Harry, Molly and Flora, were growing up and old enough for us to go off and have lots of adventures both big and small – like the time we canoed down the River Wye. Every time we went down a set of rapids Harry would stand up in excitement and we all shouted ‘Sit down!’ so he would not capsize us.

DARKEST MOMENT: When we were told that Harry, my son, was terminally ill. I was left looking after Harry alone until Douglas House came to my rescue. Harry’s death...

PROUDEST BOAST: At the age of 56 I am learning to swim properly! It has taken me a year but I can now do a pretty mean front crawl. Or running the Oxford Half Marathon this year in under two hours and raising £1,500 (and counting) for Helen & Douglas House and KEEN. Thank you everybody who has supported me!

BIGGEST REGRET: Not accepting an invite to go to Venice on my 50th birthday. Losing the love of my life...

WORST WEAKNESS: Chocolate or watching films about Middle Earth.

LESSON LEARNED: There is happiness in all things – always try to find that happiness.

DULLEST JOB: Having to do the washing up of the dinner plates after Sunday lunch when I was a child.

GREATEST SHAME: Being made an example of at school when I was six because I had been seen by my then teacher falling off my bike and crying. I had to stand at the front of school assembly.

LIFE-LONG HERO: Dorothy Hodgkin – a pioneering female scientist who not only did ground-breaking science but took an interest in people. She was concerned about social inequalities and stopping conflict. I was fortunate enough to meet her when she supported my application to work in China under the auspices of the Royal Society (when I was a research scientist).

OLDEST FRIEND: I have some wonderful friends whom I have known for many years but I guess my oldest friend is Helen – we were students together and looked out for each other.

WIDEST SMILE: When my daughters and girls friends all ganged up to give me a surprise birthday party last year and I absolutely fell for the ruse. It was a wonderful surprise.

FAVOURITE DREAM: That one day in the not too distant future I will run the London marathon – with a good time.