Growing up I had two idols. The first being Cheryl Cole, and the second being my incredible Auntie Claire. I hope it's obvious, but this isn't about Cheryl and I did quickly grow out of this phase even if I do like to think I know all the choreography to Fight For This Love. This is about Claire, everything she was and should've continued to be. 

My mums quiet, sweet, kind, smart stunningly tall, model-like older sister Claire lived in Manchester and growing up in a tiny town in North Wales made this seem like the coolest place to be. To me, she was just that, the epitome of cool. She would come by every Christmas with a lifetime supply of socks (she worked for a sock company) and then disappear again to travel the world and live her most independent life.  

When my mum got in touch to let me know Auntie Claire wasn’t doing well, I don’t think I could have ever imagined what she’d say next or what was to come. In 2021, Claire was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma and in April 2022, we lost her. Losing her to such a cruel illness is something I'm not sure I'll ever understand, or heal that pain. 

This awful disease has taken way too many lives already, so in April 2024, just over two years since we lost her, I’ll be running the London Marathon, raising money for Brain Tumour Research in the memory of my incredibly strong Auntie Claire.

Whilst running, I'll be thinking of all of those who loved her, my Grandma, Grandad, Mum, Aunties and Uncles, my siblings and cousins. This is for all of us, and for every other family out there impacted by this awful disease. 

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