If you looked at the Times of London yesterday, you’ll have seen they’ve put their weight behind a campaign to increase the pace and success of adoptions in the UK. It’s an exciting piece of news because it means that my own views, along with those of many others,are being shared by a large body of people. They came to interview and photograph us – myself and the children – so from 9am to 7pm yesterday we were doing our best to media friendly. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful but it is quite exhausting, it certainly was for my daughter who has now developed hatred for cameras. Someone told me better that than if she had become a prima donna as a result, and I couldn’t agree more…

We also talked about my book, Mexican Takeaway which will finally make it into the stores on May 1st.

My involvement in this issue began with me deciding to write the book and use it as a vehicle to raise awareness of such a crucial issue and bring about positive change.Because of that, I am thrilled that even before it’s been released, it’s helping to make things happen. It’s funny how you start something and have no idea where it will go. Of course, we have much work to do but it seems now that the scandal and tragedy of the way in which adoption has been handled for so long in this country is about to become a major issue.

A friend recently asked why I was still doing this. “What do you mean?”

“You know,” he said. All this activity you’re generating. Surely you don’t need to worry now you have your children.”

That’s not the point. We didn’t set out to simply procure babies and move on. We set out to give a child a home because we believed then, as we do now, that all children deserve a stable and loving family situation. So if we follow through from that, then it’s not all about our cosy little family. While it might not be totally desirable for us to be in the spotlight, I know it won’t be forever. This is a phase, and then the campaign will move on to another one where I will increasingly be (hopefully) pushing and pulling behind the scenes.

I’m not going to change the world. But if my exposure helps to take adoption to a place where one, two or more children find a loving home, then I will have achieved what I have set out to do.

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