Emma Salisbury, lives in Welling Kent with her husband and three children.
As well as working part time for a private equity firm she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and money to help stop boys, like her two sons, going blind from a genetic eye condition.
Emma has been announced as a Tesco Mum of the Year winner. She will be presented this Sunday 1 March with her Achieving Mum Award in a star-studded ceremony at London’s iconic hotel, The Savoy.
Describe a typical day for you?
After taking the children to school, walking the dog and tidying the house, I sit down in front of her computer and start doing various outstanding jobs for my charity, Fight for Sight.
In 2005 I founded The Fight for Sight Tommy Salisbury Choroideremia Fund after my son Tommy, then aged five, was diagnosed with choroideremia, a rare inherited eye condition which causes progressive loss of vision.
Together, with the help of my family, friends, colleagues and other families affected by choroideremia, we have fundraised tirelessly to help support vital research into the condition, organising numerous events such as golf days, coffee mornings, runs, walks and bike rides to name a few. To date, over £400,000 has been raised.
What do you feel are your biggest achievements?
My biggest achievement would be my fundraising. As a direct result of the money that my family has given, it has enabled Professor Robert MacLaren and his team to carry out the world’s first clinical trial for gene replacement therapy for choroideremia at Oxford University.
What’s in your handbag/satchel etc?
All sorts, but always my purse, tissues, lip balm, normally socks from my 5-year-old, a few small toys and lots of receipts.
What are your ambitions in life?
My ambition is to find a treatment for Choroideremia but also to bring up three happy children who can make the most of every opportunity.
What advice would you give your pre-baby self that you now know having had a child?
Children are amazing little blessings and I think they teach you so much. The best advice would be to teach your baby to fall asleep on their own. My first, needed rocking until nearly a year to fall asleep and it took weeks of training and tears to rectify this.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
In five years, I see myself with a 19-year-old son who has had a treatment that will stop any further progression of the eye condition, choroideremia. Apart from that, I hope my life hasn’t changed that much because life is good.
To support Tommy Salisbury Choroideremia Fund click HERE
Order my debut children's book
Greek Myths, Folktales & Legends for 9-12 year olds
Published by Scholastic. Available on Amazon
