Danielle Atkinson from Breast Cancer Campaign talks about piranha fishing, her love of crime dramas, and her charity's upcoming merger. 

How and why did you get into the voluntary sector? 

I’d worked in HR since leaving university – in a mixture of commercial and voluntary sector organisations. After a period of severe depression I went to an agency and asked them to find me any job (I honestly didn’t mind what), in one of five charities. I was fortunate enough to get a job on the individual giving team at the British Red Cross - and the love affair with fundraising started there. 

What are the most important things you’ve learned in your fundraising career? 

Tenacity, negotiation, persuasion. The importance of personal relationships – internally and externally. And when someone says, “that’s never worked here”, don’t just accept it.

What do you get up to in your spare time? 

Spare time is for relaxing and recharging. I read a lot. I spend a lot of time with friends, my nieces and my godson. I also love watching crime dramas on TV. 

Who is your role model, and why?

At the moment my eight-year-old niece. She’s relentlessly positive, inquisitive and curious, questioning constantly and full of charm.

What is the most out-of-the-ordinary thing you’ve ever done?

This is where I’d normally make something up to make myself sound exciting! Probably staying on a hotel on stilts on the Amazon river and exploring by boat – which included piranha fishing, swimming with dolphins and walking in the rainforest. 

What’s been the most memorable moment of your career? 

Working at the British Red Cross when the London Bombings happened in 2005 was incredibly inspiring. The outpouring of support and generosity, amid all the horror and fear, that I experienced while volunteering on the helpline was very humbling. 

What do you love most about your charity? 

We’re trying to stop people dying from breast cancer. That’s pretty cool! 

What’s the most exciting new thing your charity has coming up?

We’re in the middle of our merger with Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Together we will be the UK’s largest breast cancer charity. It takes real courage to take two organisations and bring them together, and it’s really exciting to be part of this vision. The future is going to be incredible.

Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to your ideal dinner party, and why?

Katharine Hepburn – a woman who challenged convention in her career; Anne Boleyn – what was it really like then? And Groucho Marx – just in case we get too serious.

If you won £20m on the lottery, what would you do with the money?

Look after my family and friends, buy a house and get a cat (or two). I would give some to charity, invest some, and spend some absolutely frivolously. I’d need to buy a lottery ticket first though. 

Danielle Atkinson is head of public fundraising at Breast Cancer Campaign