So myself and Lucy decided to get dressed up and attend the awards ceremony. Neither of us have attended a black tie event before. I struggled finding something comfortable to wear and opted for a black dress I have had for about 13 years and bought from George at Asda!

Originally I thought I would be sensible and drive but then decided if we did win I could have a little glass of wine to celebrate. So my dad was our taxi driver for the night while my mum babysat. Thank god for parents.

Lucy arrived at mine looking more than glamourous and we set off. In typical Gaynor style I had a different venue in my head to the one that it was at. I had to do a video shoot for the event last month at Teesside University so in my head that’s where the awards were. Never mind all the correspondence telling me it was at Middlesbrough College and not the University, good job my dad was on the ball and realised my mistake.

We obviously started with a glass of fizz and got our seat. The food was delicious as were the other bottles of wine. We met some lovely ladies and a couple from different companies who were also nominated for awards.

We sat through the category nominations and I was getting increasingly nervous, hence me drinking more wine! I did not know what my video was going to be like, just that it would be shown on the big screen.

The video’s were played and it was time to announce the winner of the ‘Heart of the community award’ You could have knocked me over with a feather when they said Perimenopause Support UK CIC had won. Both Lucy and myself were shocked and also beaming. I walked to the stage to collect the award.

I was still shaking when I sat back down but still with a massive smile on my face.

As this was for the Teesside Heat we now go against 2 more organisations who won their heats in Northumberland and Durham at the grand final on 26th September at Hardwick Hall. Watch this space…..