I am once again running the Cardiff Half Marathon to raise much-needed funds for cancer research at Cardiff University.

Most of you will know that I lost my wonderful friend, Areesha (Reesh) to a brain tumour in February 2022. Not a day goes by where I don’t think of her. I ran the half marathon in 2022 inspired by Reesh’s ‘say yes’ attitude and with her death reminding me to embrace all the opportunities we get, as well as to appreciate my health and well-being more. What I didn’t anticipate then was just how much my training runs and that time alone would help me process my own grief; the undisturbed thinking time to replay our memories was much needed.

Cancer is indiscriminate; almost everyone has been affected by it in some way. We need to invest much more in research to control and cure this disease. This is especially true of brain tumours, which are amongst the least well-researched and funded cancers.

I was blown away by the support of friends, colleagues, and family who helped me to raise over £3000 in 2022 – thank you. While I in no way expect to raise anywhere near that amount again, anything you can contribute will go towards supporting the excellent research at Cardiff University.

Thanks to everyone who supported me in 2022 and who was patient when I needed to defer my place in 2023. I hugely appreciate it.

#BeMoreReesh