Real Lives 2023

David's formative years were lived out against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Inevitably, David's life was shaped by the violence that surrounded him. He became involved with a terrorist organisation, ending up with a hefty prison sentence. David believed that in fighting with the UVF he had found a cause worth dying for but, while in prison, David had an encounter that would change the whole course of his life.

Separated from his parents at a young age, Tim became a child beggar before defecting to China aged 17. He was forcibly repatriated to North Korea. After his return he was imprisoned and brutally tortured by the regime. His scars still show. He escaped again, this time reaching Shanghai. He has been imprisoned four times in North Korea and China.

Piyush is a surgeon in the ENT department at Addenbrookes Hospital, where he specialises in head and neck cancer. He grew up in a Hindu family in Kenya. His father grew sugar cane and his mother worked in a shop. He often helped his mother in the shop, first attending school when he came to England aged 13.

A bomb-disposal officer in Northern Ireland in the 1970s; worked with the UN on peacekeeping in Cyprus in 1981; served with 1st (UK) Armoured Division in the Gulf War in 1991 in high-intensity war fighting; three tours in the Balkans, including Kosovo, in the 1990s on peace-enforcement and humanitarian operations; and in Baghdad, in 2003, on what quickly became counter-insurgency operations.

A much-travelled pro who started his playing career at Derby County playing as a central midfielder. He played against some of the world's superstars, Ossie Ardiles and Glenn Hoddle.

He enjoyed his first experiences of coaching as caretaker manager at Burton Albion. He is currently lead professional development coach at Birmingham City Academy and is manager of the U18s. In 2020 he had a spell as caretaker manager of the first team alongside Craig Gardner.

John has been surfing since the age of 10 and started competing on the Irish Surf Team at the age of 13 and holds national junior and senior titles. John has competed all over the world, at European and World Surfing Championships and has travelled to Hawaii, Australia, Africa, Central and South America and all over Asia in search of the perfect wave. He now runs the Lahinch Surf School on the West of Ireland.

Many people ask, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Pete and Julie, who live locally, share their story. What happens to faith when your 12 year old daughter gets life threatening cancer?