Toby's initial interest in setting up his free school was sparked by wanting a good education for his own children. But as time ticked on, he became more and more committed to encouraging children from more challenging backgrounds to apply to his school.

He went to a great deal of trouble to make this happen. Indeed, Toby is now hoping to set up a whole raft of schools. If he was only interested in his own children, he wouldn't have such hopes.

Setting up a free school makes individuals into better people. Parents who have always worked for the sake of their own families, perhaps digging into their pockets once in a while to throw a 50p coin to a beggar, have never had the opportunity to feel the elation that comes when one affects a stranger's life for the better.

Setting up a free school takes so much commitment, time, energy and resilience. The irony is that it is when one tries to do good that one discovers just how many people will try to prevent one's success. As Toby once said, "As a journalist, I enjoyed a reputation as a professional irritant, but I've only become truly despised — and I mean really, really hated — since I decided to do something meaningful and worthwhile with my life."