My first substantial commission came from the Childrens Society, Britains' third largest charity supporting young people.
My brief was to show, in pictures, what it was like to be growing up in specific parts of Britain - particularly areas of the midlands and the north - that had been hardest hit during the Thatcher years.
Presented as a series of billboard posters throughout the UK, it was the first charity campaign in Britain to use real situations - no models, no make up, no retouching - since the infamous Shelter campaign of the 1960's, photographed by Nick Hedges. It also marked the beginning of five years working in the British charity sector.
I continued to work beyond the commission, which eventually became my first touring exhibition, shown in London, Liverpool, Newcastle and Brighton during 1986.
