September is an emotional time as a parent. It’s starting school, new school, big school, starting college, leaving for Uni or starting apprenticeships.

I’m at the starting Uni stage and it’s not even my first time at this, we’re currently packing off our second child- this time to a drama school in London. She has been accepted into a very competitive and prestigious school. We are very proud of her hard work and dedication, however we also know that as the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child.

Taking a big step like this has caused us all to reflect on the journey taken so far. There were hours of classes both inside and out of school, knock-backs when an audition wasn’t successful but also many friends made and laughs along the way.

There’s a whole cast of characters we are able to thank for their part in her success- the local singing teacher Louise Prideaux, Exeter based Drama teacher Richard Dale, vocal coach and inspiration Hannah Walker (sound of the Sirens and Vocal Arts) all of whom I highly recommend to anyone with a young person interested in performing.

But there was also one that came before all those, when our daughter was just three years old. I can clearly remember the occasion when for the first time, she went on stage and heard applause. I can see her little face light up and it’s as if a switch was flicked- I can do this.

Imagine my sadness then, to learn that the person responsible for that very first opportunity, who had the patience of a saint working with a whole bunch of children from age three upwards had sadly passed away.

Samantha Oliver who ran local theatre group Stage Calls was responsible for so many of Exmouth’s young people getting their first opportunity to perform. Based out of Gorfin Hall on a weekend, Stage Calls existed to give everyone a chance, it wasn’t about slick performance but about having a go and isn’t that what children’s opportunities should be about?

I’m ashamed to say that we also found this sad news out third hand very recently and learnt that she died a while ago at the ridiculously young age of 52.

So my column this week is for you Samantha. Thank you for giving my girl and so many others that opportunity, which we hope will lead her to a career on stage. And to all our young people leaving home or setting out to follow a dream or a career, good luck to you and remember all those people along the way that helped to get you there.