An Ipswich-born businesswoman took part in an episode of BBC show The Repair Shop and will soon showcase an heirloom that belonged to her late grandfather.
Karen Walker will appear on BBC ONE tonight (Monday, January 2), at 3.45 pm and will share with the audience a secret family item.
Miss Walker said: “I have to be careful and not say what it is so everybody can be surprised while watching the episode.
“The story starts in August 2021 when the Suffolk Windrush Committee had an exhibition and I put this item there.
“It was not working, but it was a part of my growing up.
“Then I realised how precious this thing was to me, I loved telling the story that is behind it, which you will hear on the programme.
“I wanted to fix this, so I thought what better people to give my treasure to than The Repair Shop team?”
Miss Walker added that she adores the programme and admires the compassion and kindness of the people who work on it.
The 57-year-old said she “couldn’t believe” when she was invited to be auditioned for the programme in December 2021.
“I felt at home there. I met a lovely bunch of people who I’ve been watching on TV for years.”
Miss Walker’s grandmother, Violet May Butler, was very proud of her granddaughter and was happy that she may appear in the show. 
Miss Walker said: “Unfortunately, my granny passed away on February 2.
“The programme called me back in April. Obviously, I was a little bit different when I went back after losing my grandma.”
The woman said she told all of her friends about her appearance in the show, and they cannot wait to watch the episode.
Her grandparents, David and Violet, have a special place in Miss Walker’s heart as they brought her up and were her role models.
Mrs and Mr Butler came to the UK from Jamaica in 1957 and then sent for all of their five children, settling down here.
Miss Walker said: “I just want to honour my grandparents for what they’ve done to make a better life for themselves and for the next generations.
“Time is so precious and that’s why I wanted to bring my item in and showcase it.
“I will always embrace my Africanness, as I spend a lot of time learning about my motherland, Africa.”
Miss Walker owns the company KarMarTri Ltd which specialises in helping people gain confidence and change their mindset shift, as well as doing lots of community work, including being a director at Be Me Like We.
The Ipswich woman also volunteers at Suffolk Black Community Organisation and Suffolk Windrush Select Committee.
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