I have been living with breast cancer for over 10 years now and was diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal disease 5 years ago. I feel so lucky to still be here and grateful for every day in spite of the daily chaalenges I face living with this illness. I have had amazing help and support from so many people and charities such as Tenovus who make such a difference for those and their families living with cancer.The amazing Mobile chemotherapy unit they have set up is a godsend to families living in areas such as where I live where it would be a 36 mile round-trip to hospital for gruelling treatment but instead they can get the same quality of treatment and care in the luxurious surroundings of the unit and much closer to their homes.

Over the last 5 years I've found that by pushing myself to keep busy and giving myself personal challenges I have found it much easier to cope with the daily difficulties I face. It is particularly heartening to try and help a cause so close to my heart and having witnessed first-hand the impact of the work Tenovus do. I know I am likely to need their help again in the future and know how essential their support is to families coping with cancer.

I am thrilled to be a finalist in the Miss Heart of Wales Contest to be held at City Hall,Cardiff on 23rd November and am proud to be raising funds for Tenovus again this year as part of my entry.

I have lost 13 friends to breast cancer since Christmas Day which has been very hard. It makes me feel even stronger about raising essential funds to help support others living with this disease.

I am setting myself  personal challenges from April-November using my skills and hobbies. 

1.Writing challenge - I promise to do at least 4 posts a month on my blog and will keep updating it with news of my challenges.

2.Musical challenge - to prepare 9 substantial piano pieces to compete in the Cheltenham Performing Arts Festival in May and to prepare for 6 classes in the Birmingham Music Festival in October.- completed with 2 trophies won!

3.Self-confidence challenge - to memorize 3 poems and 2 prepared readings to compete in Cheltenham in May- completed with 3 trophies won!

4.Language challenge - to dust up my Italian for my holiday in Sardinia at the end of May and to read an Italian novel I bought 2 years ago and never started!Also to learn some basic Greek both written and spoken for my course there in July.completed and fantastic holidays enjoyed and good to speak to the locals.

5.Reading challenge - to read 6 substantial books some of which I've had unread for years! They are:The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon,A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth,The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway,So Much for all That by Lionel Shriver,Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel.Update 5th Sep. have read 3 of them and almost completed the Hilary Mantel but now left my Kindle in Manchester(it's safe)and won't get back till beginning of October!Am going to now start A Suitable Boy which is the longest and most challenging and not yet out on Kindle!

6.Creative challenge - to do 2 mosaic projects I got given as a gift 3 years ago and haven't got round to doing.

7. Baking Challenge - to make and sell cupcakes.

8. To host a Summer Singalong Party at home on 30th June for Tenovus's 70th Birthday "Big Singalong" project.Completed and raised £200 and great success and fun!

9. To put on a full evening concert of music in Cardiff with friends in aid of Tenovus in the Autumn.

10. To prepare for a 30 minute live DVD recording of piano music for August at Chethams Summer Piano School.completed and planning to copy and sell to friends and family in aid of Tenovus

11. To prepare several works for two pianos for August at Chethams Piano School.completed and enjoyed and recorded as part of DVD

12. To go to and survive my first ever proper music festival at the Green Man Festival in August - camping and all - will be a challenge!!completed and absolutely loved it! Definitely going again!

13.To compete in piano classes at both Birmingham Festival in October and West London in November

For me every day is a challenge and even the thought of looking as far ahead as November is very scary and uncertain but doing these challenges and in doing so helping raise money for vital funds for Tenovus gives me hope and pleasure.

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