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KISSES 4 KIDS

Stacy Johnson was 14 when she started Kisses4kids, a charity with an admirable mission statement - to provide children with serious and terminal illnesses with happiness and a sense of normality. It was Stacy’s own experiences that inspired her – spending many days in hospital receiving treatment for a brain tumour made her realise there wasn’t much for teenagers to do in hospital whilst undergoing treatment. 

In order to register the charity, Stacy had to begin by raising £5,000. This she did through cake sales and tombolas at fetes. The money went straight to Princess Alexandra Hospital and bought computer consoles, iPods and toys for the children amongst other things. 

Stacy has had her share of fame too, appearing on TV programmes like Noel’s HQ who donated £10,000 worth of gifts to Kisses4Kids. “One of my favourite projects has been a sensory room in a children’s ward,” says Stacy. “We created a beautiful room in which to relax and ‘escape’ hospital.” She has also raised funds to revamp the play area next to the hospital’s Dolphin Ward and to provide a summer house – equipped with a television, an X-box, lots of DVDs and bean bags -  for child patients to enjoy some time out. 

19 now and still recovering, Stacy’s charity work has never stopped. This year she has raised enough money to buy a caravan in Norfolk for children and their families to have a much needed holiday. It was officially opened by Tony Christie in May! A true inspiration, Stacy and her charity have given some life-changing gifts to so many families.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

Sophie Wright, who hails from Little Hallingbury, has been taking the culinary world by storm. After studying at Westminster Kinsgway College she has gone on to become the youngest woman in the UK – age 20 - to make head chef! (Whilst at Beach Blanket Babylon, Notting Hill.) What an excellent way to kick start a flourishing foody career! 

Now still only 24, she has already had her second book ‘Home at 7, Dinner at 8’ published.The book is aimed at young people with busy lives, encouraging them to cook something nutritious and simple after a hard day at the office. Says Sophie, “Writing books is a great way to get excited about food. I love travelling and finding new recipes and flavours along with talking to people and finding about the way they eat at home. My aim is to make recipes as simple and accessible as possible.”

And it doesn’t stop there! Sophie has recently started her own catering business Sophie Wright Catering. Sophie has been jet-setting all round the world from Tobago to St Tropez on her various catering missions. Since setting up the business, her reputation and cookery skills have gone from strength to strength. What advice would she give to others? “It’s very important to keep an open mind and keep focused. Every new idea is a new opportunity waiting to be followed up. Ask for help, read books and be as savvy as possible.”

Unbelievably, Sophie is currently writing her 3rd book and is hoping to have it published before her 25th birthday! 

SINGING FOR A LIVING

Olivia Barry, a mezzo-soprano from Hatfield Heath, has always known she wanted a career in music and with hard work and ambition she’s already made this a possibility. Whilst auditioning for opera companies, Olivia also studied singing at The Birmingham Conservatoire and her performances have taken her all over the country performing roles such as Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd. She has shone as a soloist in oratorios such as Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Requiem and sings for events and weddings around the country. It was whilst in Birmingham that Olivia also decided to start her own music therapy business. “I often visit care homes and retirement homes where I use singing and music as a valuable release for residents,” she explains. The business has flourished through word of mouth and she feels lucky to be able to share her music and bring happiness to others. “I’d love to perform in operas around the world,” she smiles having already been on tour to India performing Toccata.