When 11-year-old Georgina Marks was invited to 10 Downing Street there was one famous resident she was especially hoping to meet and it wasn't the Prime Minister!

For Georgina, who has just completed Year 6 at Brereton C of E Primary School, was looking forward to meeting Number 10's other famous resident, Larry the cat.

The youngster was also looking forward to getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of the country's most iconic addresses and the chance to see first-hand how people can help shape conversations that matter.

Georgina was attending the reception to mark International Parents Day, along with her mum, Louise Marks, who was representing Mum Love.

Mum Love is a national foundation working to improve the understanding and support of maternal transformation through research, education and advocacy, the visit also highlighted just how different childhood looks today.

"By the time I was Georgina's age, I'd only ever known one Prime Minister," said Louise. "Georgina has now lived through seven, so perhaps it's no surprise she was most excited to meet Larry, the longest standing resident of them all!"

While Georgina enjoyed exploring one of the country's most recognisable addresses, the purpose of the visit was to help shine a light on the realities many mothers face as they navigate the transition into parenthood.

Louise, who co-founded Cheshire-based pop culture gifts and collectibles company Fanattik with her husband Anthony, has become involved with Mum Love because its mission closely reflects her own experiences of balancing work, family life and caring responsibilities.

Those experiences have also helped shape the culture at Fanattik, where flexible and inclusive working practices are designed to support colleagues with a diverse range of needs and circumstances, including parents and carers.

Louise said: "Representing Mum Love at Downing Street was a real privilege because it's helping bring one of the most important conversations about motherhood into the national spotlight.

"One of the biggest things Mum Love is trying to change is helping women understand that they're not failing, they're transforming."

She added: "I also hope Georgina came away believing that ordinary people really can make a difference. If she left Downing Street feeling inspired (and with a photo of Larry the Cat) then I'd call that a successful day."

Although Larry may have stolen the show for Georgina, Louise hopes the visit will also encourage more conversations about how communities, employers and policymakers can better support Maternal Transformation.

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