Wendy set off for Houston, Texas as an ambassador for the Variety Club International. The four day event was put together by the British American Business Council-SW. The Variety Club had been chosen as the benefactor of the main evening that was to be the Gala.

The days leading up to it Wendy attended dinner parties and social functions and will be the first to admit that she was treated like royalty. The citizens of Houston really went out of their way to make Wendy and her party feel welcome.

She has also done a few interviews for the local P.B.S station to help with their fund-raising drive.

The Gala itself was a great success, and Wendy was really taken by the trouble the organisers had gone to.

They had an area before you went into the main function hall, which was set out as a tribute to Wendy and her role as Pauline in EastEnders.

There was a cut out of Pauline holding a dog on a lead, standing beside a wrought iron gate with an Albert Square street sign. It also had a back drop off the Queen Vic pub as well as London street lighting and men dressed as London Bobbies walking up and down (which is amazing in itself, that you have to go to Texas to see a 'Bobby on the beat').

Then there was a piper that piped Wendy and the committee into the main hall.

The evening was hosted by Juliette Kaplin from "Last Of The Summer Wine".

The evening was a great success for all concerned, and to top it all off, the Chief Barker of Variety (Houston), Jay W. Branson, presented Wendy with a crystal award for services to Variety and also made her an Honorary Citizen Of Texas. Which, I am reliably informed, hangs proudly on Wendy's wall at home.