Judy's help service for life Down Under

An ex-pat from Staffordshire has returned to the town to help make the dreams of people longing for a new life Down Under come true.

Judy Donnelly and husband Gary lived in Churchbridge for 20 years before their emigration to Adelaide in South Australia with their two sons Daniel, aged 22, and Nicholas, 18, formerly of Cheslyn Hay High School. She began working for the Cannock-based Newlife Foundation for disabled children in 1994 and was a key member of the team.

But the couple tired of the British weather and rising prices and emigrated five years ago.

She said: "Despite an enormous struggle to get there and a few teething problems on arrival, the whole family agrees that making the move to Australia is the best thing we have ever done."

In 2005, Judy and her sister Mandy, from Hammerwich, launched Home2Home Settlements, a relocation help service.

Judy, aged 45, is back in the UK to meet others hoping to migrate to Australia and assist them with a wide range of advice.

She said: "We climbed huge hurdles in our bid to migrate to Australia. We were told we had neither the qualifications nor credentials required for the entry points system so we set out to find an employer in Australia who could sponsor us, using a virtually unheard of scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration.

"Home2Home helps others wanting to move , from researching schools to finding suitable suburbs.

"We are now licensed recruiters too, so we not only help you settle in but can source employers who need the skills of people in the UK."

Judy and Mandy will be available tomorrow at the Newlife Superstore in Hem-lock Way, with a stand and information. Alternatively email judy@h2h.com.au or call 0800 7813836.