Kay was born in London and attended St Thomas More, where she played clarinet in the school orchestra and represented school and county in cross country. Having joined the Army, Kay served in various places such as Germany, Northern Ireland as well as the British Embassy, Washington DC, where she was awarded the British Empire Medal. After leaving the Army in the rank of Captain she gained her Glider Pilot’s licence, also learning to parachute and ski, then set up her own retail business for eleven years. Kay was initially a Foundation Governor at St Patrick’s from April 2014 to July 2019, she then rejoined in September 2020. Kay is also the Safeguarding Parish Representative for St Patrick’s Catholic Church.