I am undertaking an epic running challenge in 2021 in memory of my sister Kathy who sadly passed away in April 2018. Kathy was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and was later diagnosed with an aggressive form of triple negative cancer. She was incredibly brave in her battle to beat it and she was really looking forward to being a part of the Courage on the Catwalk show as a model for Friends of ANCHOR in May 2018.

All of her family and friends miss her dearly and we remember our times together with fondness. I've decided to raise money for Friends of ANCHOR to say thank you for the support that they provided to Kathy and her family. My running challenge this year is:

- To run at least 10km on all 365 days of the year in 2021

- To run at least one half marathon each month in 2021

- To run the Loch Ness Marathon on 3rd October 2021

I'm going to be running over 4,500km this year regardless of what the Scottish weather throws at me and every run will be recorded on my Strava account so that I can keep you all updated. I'm hoping that you'll dig deep into your pockets to donate to this worthy charity. No matter how big or small, every donation will be a huge motivation for me to keep going. Every penny of every pound raised will directly support the cause as Friends of ANCHOR's operating costs are covered by local firm Balmoral Group.

Friends of ANCHOR has served oncology and haematology patients throughout the North-east of Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland, since the ANCHOR Unit opened in 1997. Run by a small team and stewarded by a committee comprised of senior representatives from the ANCHOR Unit wards and clinics, and the business community, the charity’s founding aim was, and remains to this day, to provide the best possible treatment, care and support to patients.

The total fundraising so far this year is a combination of money raised through a Virgin Money Giving fundraising page (VGM closing their website 31/11/21), a 5K Fun Run in Dunecht Estate attended by 200 runners (£3,922), some generous donation matching from my employer CNOOC International, and some other fundraising by my friends Jo-Anne Lister, Muriel Simpson and Steve Wilson. Thank you to everyone who has supported me to reach this incredible total.

31st December Progress Update

- 365 days in a row of running every calendar day in 2021 completed 

- All runs were at least 10km or longer (averaged 12.6km per day)

- All monthly half marathons completed

- Loch Ness Marathon completed on 3rd October

- Virtual New York City Marathon completed on 6th November

- Total distance covered = 4,602km !!