I am running the London Marathon 2011 in memory of Milly and to raise money for The Cystic Fibrosis trust...and I need your support.

Mills died last July. Thinking about it now it seems apt that the brightest spirit I have ever known should leave us in the height of summer in full sunshine. I have known Mills my entire life and have vivid memories of her going back to about the age of two, but I think even if you met her for a minute you wouldn't forget too quickly...she was pretty remarkable.

Many of you reading this will have loved, adored and known her well. But for those of you who didn't, well...you missed out. I want to tell you a bit about her here.

I remember when I was quite young being asked as home work to write a piece about the person we most admired. Everyone started chatting about their favorite film star. Apart from the fact that I had never heard of half of them I immediately thought of Milly. I never once heard her complain about any aspect of having Cystic Fibrosis. In fact she would make friends and years later they would discover that she had the illness because she was so determined not to let it take over her life.

She was a truly courageous fighter with an indomitable spirit and unquenchable optimism. I would feel my own grumbles ashamedly skulk out of the back door in her presence and often when I am feeling negative I will adopt a Milly-esque positivity. Going to visit her earlier this year in hospital I couldn't believe that she even managed to make me giggle as she described a recent 'near death drama'.

Until her pregnancy, Milly had never allowed cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system, to get in the way of what she wanted to do. The progressive disease causes the lungs and pancreas to secrete a thick mucus that blocks passageways and, over time, irreparably damages the lungs. With drugs, physiotherapy and nutritional supplements, Milly had lived a "normalish" life. She travelled the world, bungee-jumped, lived in Spain as a teacher and fell in love.

By the time Milly and Manolo married she was in her mid-twenties and had already lived longer than many people with cystic fibrosis. Fifty years ago, children with CF rarely survived beyond six. Now, as treatment advances, more than half live past the age of 31 and many beyond 40. Milly's elder sister, Anna, had died of the same condition, aged only 14, in 1993. The family was further devastated in 2004 when Milly's younger brother, Johnnie drowned, aged 17.
Milly was determined to have children. Pregnancy makes big demands on women with CF, though some come through it without too much difficulty. Milly became so weak and breathless, she could hardly stand.

Lucia had to be delivered by Caesarean section nine weeks early – a prematurity that almost cost her life. But the birth didn't slow Milly's decline. In August 2009, she almost died from CO2 poisoning because her lungs were unable to expel used air. It was a big setback, from which she never fully recovered.

Lucia is the most beautiful baby and it was amazing to see her with Milly and Manolo. In fact it was pretty miraculous. It is easy to see why Milly fell in love with Manolo, he is an angel dressed as a tall, dark handsome hulk of a Spaniard. He is already an incredible father and a very very brave man for whom I have an immense amount of respect.

I need to say something here about Milly's parents Sarah and Paddy but as ever I am lost for words trying to describe them. Looking at them you can certainly see where Milly got it from. Despite their phenomenal and unfathomable loss they have always seemed unshakably strong. They are truly humbling.

If you can please spend a few more minutes adding your name to the list of sponsors here and giving your support to me as I run in April, to Manolo, Lucia, Sarah and Paddy as well as to all those affected by Cystic Fibrosis. Your money will go towards research that will advance treatment for CF patients....so hit the donate button now!

xxxx