A mother has told how her daughter's cancer battle inspired her to launch a successful theatre company in Feltham .
Actress Terri Ann Creaser founded Tale Be Told Theatre in 2014, and the company has just secured a £15,000 grant with which she hopes to secure a permanent home and stage more productions.
The 33-year-old mother-of-two had previously appeared in commercials, music videos and short films, as well as running school drama workshops, but it was a family trauma which prompted her to take the leap and pursue her lifetime dream of running her own theatre company.
Her daughter Taylin was diagnosed with Wilm's Tumour aged 20 months and while the youngster, now four, has made a full recovery Ms Creaser says the experience left her determined to make the most of life.
"It was a big wake-up call. I realised if there's something you want to do you have to make it happen yourself," she said.
"When Taylin recovered I decided to make some major changes in my life, so she's definitely been a big inspiration."
As well as launching Tale Be Told Theatre, she set herself the challenge of running 13 races to raise money for the children's charity Momentum.
The theatre group has been self-funded so far, with support from Feltham Arts and Southville Community Centre, but she is confident the £15,000 grant from Creative People and Places will really help it kick on.
Grant will pay for more shows, extra workshops and a new venue
The company currently stages original productions of children's plays, as well as running workshops for youngsters and school drama sessions.
Ms Creaser says the new funds will enable it to put on more shows, begin working with adults and move its operations to Bedfont Community Centre, which she aims to turn into an "arts hub".
Tale Be Told Theatre is one of two arts groups in Hounslow to be awarded a £15,000 grant over three years by Creative People and Places.
The other organisation to receive the funding, provided by Hounslow Council , is Poetical Word, which uses poetry to challenge intolerance and promote education.
For more information, visit the Tale Be Told Theatre website .
