I hate running and always swore blind that I would never, ever do it. I'm sure Mum is having a good laugh, wherever she is right now, at the thought of me waddling around Tyneside wheezing and spluttering but it seems almost fitting that I'm doing something I said I'd never do in remembrance of her. She always pushed me, encouraged me and gave me all the support in the world to do pretty much whatever I decided to do, so I think doing something that seems a bit impossible for me right now feels like an appropriate way to remember her.

St Terea's took care of Mum in her last few days and it was a massive comfort to all of us to see the she was able to rest and be at peace in such a lovely, warm and welcoming environment. My Dad mentioned when we were sat in the hospice, the day Mum died, that it would be good to do some fundraising for St Teresa's and he decided to do the Great North Run, jokingly suggesting that I do the same. I initially didn't think too much of it but after mulling it over, I decided (in a fit of madness) to actually do it. Luckily I have an amazing group of friends who all decided to do it with me so we've set up Team Big Rach as a splinter faction to the, much more boringly named, "Team Rachel" (https://www.justgiving.com/team/TeamRachelRyan) which comprises of Dad and some other oldies too unimportant to name!

We'd desperately love to absolutely destroy them, (both in donations raised and finish time) so any contribution, big or small, would be massively appreciated in order to reach my goal of £300 pounds on this page and £1500 as a team.

PS: Dad, I know you're reading this. Try not to get too mad at my (correct) assessment of your team. At your advanced age, we need to watch your blood pressure!