My giraffe is inspired by my Caribbean and African roots, which are also reflected in Croydon’s diverse communities. Red, gold and green colours are significant colours in Caribbean culture. My giraffe represents tenacity, strength, courage, and determination, which is particularly important as this year we celebrate Windrush 75. The patterns I selected are influenced by West and East African print fabrics. My giraffe also represents Betty the giraffe, whom I recently met in Kenya while presenting at a Climate Change and Environmental Justice conference. Brave Betty successfully fought off a lion who was attacking her daughter and now lives in a giraffe sanctuary where she is the oldest of the Tower. She was also 15 months pregnant when I met her.