I spent the first two years of my life in Leicester, on the Netherhall estate, before my parents moved to Birstall in 1966. My first school was, Birstall Riverside Infant and Junior, and that was followed by Stonehill High School and Longslade Community College, all in my home 'village' of Birstall.

At school I did enough to get through academically, but just had a passion for sport. I represented the school at rugby and athletics mainly, but would have a go at almost anything. I was also picked to represent Leicestershire Schools at rugby at school as well as athletics.

My higher education was undertaken locally - I completed a BA (Hons) Public Administration degree at De Montfort University (Leicester Polytechnic at the time) in the years between 1983 and 1987, achieving a 2.1. During my industrial placement year, though, I worked for the Cheshire Family Practitioner Committee in Chester. I did a degree that I thought would best serve me in my choice to serve the local community by working in the public sector.

I married Sarah in 1992 at Glenfield Methodist Church after we met at County Hall in 1990. We now live in Quorn with our 2 children.

Before becoming an MP in the 1997 election, I used my Public Administration degree in the service of the local councils - I simply wanted to serve my local community and thought this was the best way! First I joined Leicester City Council in 1988 -where I worked in Urban Regeneration on the Inner Area Programme. I then moved to Recreation & Arts as a Project Officer - working with the voluntary sector projects. I joined Leicestershire County Council in 1990.

I am one of 29 Labour and Co-op Party MPs in the House of Commons and actively promote the principles of co-operation, both locally and nationally, particularly in the field of economic development, credit unions and the Social Economy. I believe that ethical consumerism will play a vital role in the future and offers a viable alternative - a Third Way! I was able to play a key role in developing Supporters Direct whan I was a PPS in the Department of Culture Media & Sport.

I Chaired East Midlands Sport - the Regional campaigning voice for Sport and recreation in the East Midlands between 2000 and 2003. I have a passion for sport and what it can achieve. I now am Chair of the Shadow Board of the County Sports Partnership for Leicestershire (2004-present). I Chair the National Stretegic Partnership for Volunteers in Sport - the umbrella organisation that speaks for Britains Sports Volunteers! I Chair the Sports Caucus in Parliament - the backbench voice for sport in government circles, as well as belonging to numerous All Party Grops related to sport. In Parliament I play regulalry for the rugby, football, cricket, tennis, hockey and swimming teams.

In 2005 I became a Trustee for the National Energy Foundation. My membership of other societies includes: the Christian Socialist Movement, Amnesty International, the Campaign for Electoral Reform, Charnwood Racial Equality Council, Leicestershire Co-operative Society and UNISON (the public service union), for whom I was a departmental convener, Service Conditions Officer and conference delegate for a number of years. I am on the Council of Reference for a few charitable bodies where I have an interest - Sport Pursuit,the Oasis Trust, & Keep Time for Children for example. I also help at the 2nd Quorn Beavers on a Friday night as a helper.

I sit on the Board of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, again another Charity, who raise the issue of Christian persecution around the world as well as Joshua Generation. These bodies have minimal time commitment, but allow me to be kept in touch with interest areas. I receive no payment or expenses from these bodies. I have been a speaker at Spring Harvest for the last few years - a national Christian festival held in Skegness and Minehead. I have written a book about Christian involvement in politics for Headway - "Enga