Dawn was born in London. As an only child from a single parent family, she often felt isolated. After marrying her first husband in 1982, they went on to have four children together. When her marriage broke up in 1997, she remarried but did not go on to have any more children. Nowadays she lives with her husband and two boxer dogs in Portsmouth, UK and works part-time as a nurse practitioner for the National Health Service. Her children have all flown the nest and grandchildren are increasing in number every year.

Dawn is naturally competitive and likes to win. She thrives on a challenge and likes to push boundaries and break the rules from time to time.