Meet Valerie King from Preston/Blackpool who moved to LA 33 years ago ‘to pursue adventure and a decent life’ and now works on the Board of Directors for Malibu Global Awareness, a small Charity that raises money for Doctors Without Borders and individuals like a local young woman fighting breast cancer at age 27. I’m happy to report she is doing very well after fighting a rare form of cancer.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
I loved watching old glamorous Hollywood movies and wanted to see first-hand what kind of life it was. I always wished I had gone to an American High School. It seemed more romantic … I think that I may have seen Grease too many times! The sun, sand and the palm trees too.
![Fighting the good fight: Valerie King (right) with Lorraine Bracco](https://www.british-weekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/valerie-king-lorraine-bracco.gif)
What one thing do you miss from home?
Steak puddings and that wicked northern sense of humor. My American friend was horrified when my friend’s dad asked if I still took my ugly pills when he picked us up from the airport.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus the UK?
Remember I moved here along time ago. Leaving behind miners’ strikes, filling in UB40 forms and not seeing much future. Since then things have changed in UK. I wanted to work and having the chance to I took it. There was more opportunity to try. Thank you Ronald Reagan for giving me a green card!
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
Pearl Dragon on Sunset. Sushi and Californian cuisine. My local! It has great food and a fun atmosphere with a good mix of people and families.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
It’s a lot harder now. First come on holiday and look around and see if it’s really the place for you. If it’s your dream….live it and take that risk. I still pinch myself that this girl from a Council estate lives here in California. I am also proud to say that this year is our 10th anniversary at Malibu Global Awareness (MGA) and we have raised nearly four million dollars. I have worked several other jobs, one as human resources for a major department store. My husband’s career took off so I was lucky to be able to stay home, raise our two daughters and become involved in MGA.
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