Got back home at Midnight last night. I had caught the train to London in the morning - had some lunch and them made my way to Buckingham Palace for the last ever national board meeting of the NSPCC Full Stop Appeal. Five years - and now it was the last meeting. As a team we had done what we set out to do - raise £250 million to change the UK for children - to help stop cruelty - do so much. We had done it - the largest amount of money ever raised in a single campaign in the history of UK fundraising. It was very emotional - we were in the beautiful surroundings of a gorgeous drawing room in the heart of the palace - His Royal Highness Prince Andrew attending - choking on our words - a realisation that this group of hardy souls would not meet again in those circumstances. A strange feeling - my mate Bruce (runs Tussauds and Alton Towers etc) shed a few tears - so did I.

All the characters were there - the CEO of Capita, Paul Pindar, Sir Dave Richards - the Premiership guy, Nick Booth - the genius NSPCC head of the Campaign, Dame Mary Marsh - the NSPCC CEO, Davina, Deborah, Sally, Peter, Andrew and more. A rum bunch - going to miss them...

Then Prince Andrew told us that the celebration party at St James's Palace was waiting for us to arrive so we piled onto a coach - and were driven to the next Palace to meet over 600 of our greatest NSPCC supporters from around the UK.

Yet more familiar faces. Shared memories.

One last job as each of the board were asked to introduce our very key supporters to Her Majesty the Queen. Crikey - that was nerve - racking. I just about got it right - didn't destroy too many protocols - remembered my 'Your Majesty may I present Mr/Mrs X ' followed by a little bit of information and then using the word ma'am ( to rhyme with Pam).

I eventually had a glass of Champagne - and started to relax - chatted to the Queen's Equerry ( a very handsome chap in a great outfit) and began to wonder if I should leave before I missed my train home.

Then out of the crowds appeared my mate Bruce ( Alton Towers man) - 'give us your card Emma - I'm coming to stay at your house for a weekend- me, the wife and four kids  - talk about what we do next'

So, as ever when something finishes, it gives space for something new to start. (And I think I'm sorted for the odd ride or two on a rollercoaster! ) 

Yours hobnobbingly

Emma