Linda Fairley enrolled as a trainee nurse with Manchester Royal Infirmary at the age of 18. She went on to train as a midwife at St Mary's Infirmary, and later Tameside Hospital in Greater Manchester. She remained there for the next 40 years.

Linda lives in Greater Manchester and has two children, Peter and Fiona. In 2010 she was nominated for the Cheshire Woman of the Year Award. She still works two days a week as a community midwife, continuing to serve the women of Tameside.