15 years ago I lost my best friend Rosie, at 26 years old, to breast cancer. She was my soulmate and a wonderful example of a woman. With a very cheeky glint in her eye, Rosie was beautiful both inside and out. She embraced life, finding the fun in everything and never shying away from a challenge. She was, without a doubt, the best partner in crime I could have wished for. We guided each other through the teenage years, walked side by side through university and together we navigated the adult world as young women, I never envisaged entering motherhood and growing old without her with me. There is not a day goes by when I don't think of Rosie - who she would be today, how she would have inspired my girls, but mostly what an amazingly strong woman she was - an example to us all and my reason why.

On 10th June I will be joining many other fabulous women (and perhaps a few men) on a 100km trek in Northumberland over 5 days, all in aid of CoppaFeel! CoppaFeel is a totally fabulous breast cancer charity whose sole purpose is to support early diagnosis of breast cancer and save more lives. 

As I embarked on the London Marathon 5 years ago I was blown away by the generosity of those I knew.  I think this trek will be significantly more challenging, not least because my bones are now older. But I am determined! Determined to see how far I can push myself mentally and physically. Determined to do it for Rosie and all the other young women for whom greater awareness and earlier detection would have made all the difference. I know that no matter how hard it gets, it won't be a patch on those facing cancer. So I am once again asking for your support. I know there is so much being asked of everyone right now but if you can spare anything at all to keep me going, to help raise awareness, to help save more lives then please do give. My target is pretty aspirational but no-one ever made the big differences playing it safe and cancer is not going to beat itself. In true Rosie style - go big or go home!

Thank you so much for your support - it will see me through the hard parts but, most importantly, see more people surviving!