Roy’s journey is one of resilience, love, and determination. Born in the late 1960s to an Irish immigrant single-parent family, he was raised with boundless love by his mother, despite the challenges of growing up in relative poverty.

 

Once dismissed by the education system as destined for factory work, Roy defied the odds. As a mature student, he earned a 2:1 Honours Degree in English from Exeter University, followed by a P.G.C.E in Secondary Education. He went on to inspire countless young minds as an English and Drama teacher. These days, he humorously describes himself as “trying to run away from the circus.”

 

Roy has been happily married to Vanessa, his wife of over 30 years, who also works in education. Together, they’ve built a loving family of four children, which grew to six, five boys and one girl, when they welcomed a brother and sister, orphaned at a young age, into their home and hearts.

 

Originally hailing from South London, Roy and his family now reside in the enchanting countryside of Devon, where, as he likes to say, Hobbits come from.