In June 2017, just a couple of weeks after my 40th birthday, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Small and caught early I only needed surgery, gratefully sidestepping chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and counting myself very lucky.

During 3 months of enforced running rest after my surgery I made the decision that, once I got my running legs back, I wanted to do something positive with them. It was then I decided I wanted to run the Great North Run for Team Macmillan. As a Chemotherapy Nurse of 11 years I have witnessed the amazing work that Macmillan do for all cancer patients and I too benefited as a patient from their brilliant work.

I also want to run this for all the patients with cancer I have nursed. Their strength gave me strength when I needed it most. I want to run this for all the fantastic nurses, doctors and allied health professionals I have worked with over the years who work tirelessly and with such great compassion, and I want to run this for everyone who took such great care of me. I want to run this for all my family and friends who have been by my side every step of my journey, I'd be lost without them. And finally I want to run this for me, to celebrate life and survivorship and to stick two fingers up to cancer - you will not beat me!

I'd like to thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, for supporting me and such a fantastic cause, your donations are hugely appreciated.