International Women’s Day is all about appreciation. And one prominent mission of the day is to shine a light on the brilliant work of women in the creative arts and in sport. No, you don’t have to be Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Paula Radcliffe or Katherine Switzer – you could be that creative or sporty woman living in the local community. I caught up with two fascinating women who have proved that at any age and at any level you can achieve great things.
For Engagement Manager Claire, singing was something that stopped at primary school. It was only after a move to RAF Marham and being on maternity leave that the young mother realised she was missing people. The military choir was looking for people and she gingerly applied. A later move to RAF Henlow saw her really develop her passion, which has grown after a move to RAF High Wycombe.
“You don’t have to worry if you are not a good singer, I was told. All of you come together and it doesn’t matter if you do something wrong. I wasn’t sure I had the ability, but there was really no pressure.”
All of Claire’s groups contain military wives, which has a proud tradition. The brainchild of military wife Nicky Clark, the first group was set up in Catterick in 2010 to bring some joy to those deployed in Afghanistan. The idea was picked up by choirmaster Gareth Malone and the BBC series ‘The Choir’ was born in 2011. Since then, the idea has mushroomed nationally, with over seventy-five choirs on military bases across the UK and overseas.
For Claire, singing in the choir is a welcome diversion from the stresses and strains of everyday life. There is no training course or test to pass to enter. To check where you best sit vocally new members start off at the middle – around ‘Soprano 2s’ and progress from there. Singing engagements are as diverse as care homes, family days, Remembrance services and garden parties. Guests have included none other than the Duke of Edinburgh! The Henlow Choir were even invited to play at New York’s Carnegie Hall…….
The choir is not just an outlet for personal expression, it gives an identity for Claire. Arguably many women often feel that after gaining a partner and children, personal wants and needs go by the wayside to be replaced with the label ‘partner and mother’ and the roles and responsibilities that both entail. For the lively singer from Liverpool, this is not something she wanted:
“I feel I am doing something for a higher purpose. Something to aim for. I am a mum of two and at times it is nice to have something different. It is good for my own mental wellbeing and on a personal note, I am not the type to just watch TV. I have more for me now other than just being a mum and a job and a wife.”
Age is no barrier to joining the choir, and with a range of 20s to 70s there is a place for anyone who feels the urge to sing out! Apart from the buoyant social scene, thousands have been raised for charity.
Claire offered some very revealing advice that will doubtless strike a chord with many women reading this article;
“Don’t worry about what other people think too much. I don’t want to generalise too much about women, but I think we are guilty sometimes of people pleasing. Follow your own aspirations and don’t deviate because someone comes into your life. Due to previous relationships, I have not necessarily stuck on the path that I wanted to follow. Be your own person.”
Did you know that women only receive 4% of sports media coverage? International Women’s Day aims to break down this barrier to ensure equality in the sporting arena for all. Breaking down her own barriers against ageism in sport is former RAF Sergeant, Chrissy. In a rare moment of inactivity, I managed to snatch some time with this bundle of energy who continues to follow her passion for running.
The RAF is in Chrissy’s blood. Her grandfather was a Pathfinder in Bomber Command in the 1940s and her father served in the RAF in Air Traffic Control, retiring after thirty-four years. He was later recalled in 1990 for three years during the first Gulf War. The road for Chrissy was more circuitous. Although she wanted to join up at seventeen, with the onset of marriage, children and reaching twenty-two, she had to make a decision. After opting for a career in civvie street, the Sergeant responded to an advertisement in 2003 wanting reservists. The dream was back on track, and she enrolled.
During this time Chrissy’s love of sport had never wavered. It had always played a role in her formative years, but it was only after training for the 24-hour Welsh 13 Peaks event that she realised she needed to boost her fitness if she was going to run competitively.
“My goal for the fitness test was always dark blue....but I only got into serious running whilst on deployment to Afghanistan,” said Chrissy.
The next few years up to 2015 read like a who’s who of gruelling marathons undertaken as the plucky Sergeant built up her stamina and competed in the global Abbot World Major Marathons including Boston (“A hard one to get into”), Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago & New York. Completing five marathons back-to-back over two-and-a-half years took monumental discipline and training. Chrissy’s motto has always been to push the boundaries and challenge herself which makes her such a role model for other runners.
“I achieved what I wanted to do……… there are not many people who have done it.”
Although Chrissy may be an older female she is not phased. She once beat a Chief of Air Staff in the Great North Run 2016 half marathon by thirty seconds, which gave her some quiet satisfaction. Her sense of dedication, will to win and determination is palpable;
“I am very passionate about the RAF. Fitness goes hand in hand with that. I don’t want anyone to turn round to me and say that I cannot do it because of my age. It is also a personal challenge to me. I know I am not 21 anymore but I can still beat the kids!”
Though comfortable in her own self and abilities, societal labels and stereotypes have made her work twice as hard to feel accepted for who she is.
“Not sure if it is because I am older, but I do feel that I have to prove my fitness to people – they often stereotype people with age. I am not your average person of my age. So, I always feel that I have something to prove, not only to myself but to others. I never want to be faulted for anything that I may be responsible for. I do not want to miss out on things because I am not fit: Physically or mentally.”
Chrissy is no ordinary sportswoman. Her mind is razor-sharp, and I get the impression that nothing would faze her. When she commented that “No one has ever turned round to me and said ‘you cannot do that’” I believe her. For Chrissy, it is all about strength of mind and believing in yourself.
“The only thing that would stop me running is injury or ill health.”
And Chrissy’s advice to anyone wanting to take up running? “I would say…get a good pair of trainers. These have seen me through. Do what you want to do to enjoy it. Don’t be competitive like me, and don’t beat yourself up if you cannot reach that goal that you have set. Give it time. Even if I am tired and don’t want to go out, I just say…. I’ll do a mile. Then I might do a bit more. Find an optimum time in the day that works for you. You can run at any age; I am the poster girl for that if you like!”
