The Inheritance - Pat

Pat
Age: 75
Location: Yorkshire
Occupation: Chess teacher

Why did you sign up to take part in The Inheritance?
I'm at an age where you don't get opportunities like this. It's more of a personal challenge, to see if I could get a place in the game, and I'm delighted I did. It really is to say it doesn't matter what age you are, you are still capable of doing a lot more than you think you are. That was the principal reason why.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you're going to bring to this game.
I don't like to just sit around and do nothing. I go to the gym, I play chess, I teach guided meditation, I'm a ghost writer, so I'm constantly doing something and then I've got my grandchildren too. I've been married for 52 years. I'm also a cancer survivor, so is my husband, so there's a lot I've seen and a lot I've done. I think what I would bring is wisdom, in a sense. I'm now at a point where I know what I want to do. Fulfilment and feeling proud that you've done something is more important to me than the financial side of this. It's purely about the experience and being able to say I did that. Hopefully other people who are older will say great, so can I!

Are you a very strategic thinker, as a chess player
I've got a master's in strategic decision making.

Would you call yourself a team player?
I can be a team player. I can also take the lead on things. I can do both. It depends on the situation that I'm in and if it's a team game, then I will give everything to that team. But if there comes a time where I can tell that some leadership is necessary, then I can take that role as well.

What are you like when you're playing games with friends and family? Are you competitive?
I am competitive as hell. I won't let the grandchildren win! One is only four. When I'm teaching chess, they know that I'm not going to let them just win. It’s important to lose, because that's when you really learn,

How are your powers of persuasion? Would you say you're good at influencing others?
At this stage in life and with my varied career experience, yes. I teach guided meditation; I've stood up in front of audiences all over and I've been mayor of a town. You've got to be able to influence people. You don't get those positions without that skill. I can influence people, but I would only influence people that want to be influenced. I look for people that would be like minded and think I can support and help here. To me, that's part of influencing.

If you succeed and walk away with a large amount of the money, what do you plan to spend it on? 
I've not thought that far ahead but I'm sure the grandchildren have! Now I think about it, if I did win some money, which would be wonderful, I think I would buy myself a car.