International Women’s Day may have been a few days ago but it’s never too late to tell someone what an inspiration they are to you. So Cat – my wonderful sister – this is for you.

You have always been an older sister who I can look up to.

When we were children you would play with me and look out for me. I remember once when you agreed to ‘play barbies’ with me even though you’d out-grown them and would much rather have been reading magazines on your own.

As I teenager, I remember how you told a girl off on the school bus who had called me names. We may have argued and fallen out at times (after all, I was a typical annoying little sister!), but you wouldn’t put up with anyone else being mean to me.

As an adult, you were there for me when I had relationship and career difficulties which resulted in a really tough time in my life. Your encouragement and kind words meant so much to me.

And now, even when every day is such a struggle for you as you are in constant agony from intense back pain, you make such a difference in so many people’s lives.

You are an amazing, caring and compassionate vet who has helped so many pets and owners.

Even with all that you are having to cope with, you continue to volunteer at Project Antifreeze, bringing help and hope to the homeless.

In the words of one of your friends, you are a ‘remarkable, kind, brave and selfless’ friend, sister, daughter, girlfriend, niece, colleague and dog-owner.

You really are such an inspiration to me and I am so proud to be able to call you my big sister. I love you so much and I always will.