A FORMER British Water Ski Champion has embarked on a new counselling career.

Originally from Arnside, Heidi Birr's love for the sport began as a teenager at Pine Lake near Carnforth, which in 1987 was a regional water-skiing hotbed, and led to her joining the British Team, breaking records, winning numerous medals and a stint as head coach of the Malaysian National Team, in Kuala Lumpur.

Heidi fell in love with Asia and made Bali in Indonesia her home, where she started a family. Heidi returned to the UK ten years ago when her father was diagnosed with secondary bone cancer. During an understandably difficult time, she sought support from CancerCare and received counselling at our Slynedales Centre in Lancaster.

Therapy positively impacted her well-being so she decided to retrain as a counsellor and build on the voluntary experience she gained supporting people affected by the terrorist bombings which killed 202 people in Bali in 2002.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office subsequently recognised Heidi’s efforts.

"CancerCare was a huge help to me. I had just returned to the UK with my young daughters after 16 years in Bali and it was a huge cultural change for us, everything felt very strange and I remember feeling very alone with my father’s diagnosis. The help and support I got at the time made a massive difference to me," said Heidi.

Heidi set her sights on joining CancerCare and after years of hard work volunteering for Cruse Bereavement Support and studying at Kendal College, Runshaw College near Preston, and the University of Cumbria, she gained her Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and is now a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

A spokesperson from CancerCare said: "Two weeks ago Heidi saw her first four clients at our Kendal Centre and we are looking forward to seeing her use her skills to support many more people coping with the effects of a cancer diagnosis or bereavement across North Lancashire and south Cumbria."

To find out more about counselling at CancerCare visit cancercare.org.uk or call 03330 150 628.