I was three years into fundraising when I started with Guide Dogs as a Campaign Manager in February 2018. It was my first management job, but I felt I was ready and couldn’t wait to test myself. I hadn’t worked for Inspired People before, so it was a huge leap of faith for them as well, and I’m very grateful to them and Guide Dogs for having faith in me.

It’s such a great cause. We can all be guilty of taking our independence for granted at times but working for Guide Dogs has really put into perspective all the things you wouldn’t even consider. Something as basic as crossing the road or boarding a train. I love the unique animal/people element the charity has, and the Sponsor a Puppy campaign is great as well as it allows our donors to see the work that their donations allow us to do.

It’s an old cliché, I know, but no two days are the same for me. As Campaign Manager, I have the opportunity to travel throughout the UK. One day I could be in Bristol for a managers meeting. Then the next I could be at Guide Dogs’ central office in Reading for a training session. After that, I could be holding interviews in Glasgow. It’s definitely one of the perks of the job.

Besides the travel, I really enjoy the social aspect of my role. We will regularly arrange team nights out. We’ve done it all — comedy, escape rooms, bubble football, trampolining. I’ve met some of the most passionate, talented and compassionate people in my life through fundraising, and I consider many colleagues friends for life.

I’d definitely recommend that everyone considers fundraising as a career. It’s been very good to me and I have learned so much since I started out in 2012. Initially, I didn’t really look at it as a career opportunity, but the more I learned and the longer I was in the industry, the more I realised that I was wrong. I come into work each morning with a sense of purpose and go home at night with a feeling of achievement!