6 months ago, Mum was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer. From that day, our lives were changed forever. Over the past few months, Mum has undergone a combined treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and had to face a whole host of side effects. A few weeks ago, we received the news that unfortunately the treatment had not been as successful as we'd hoped. On 7th August, Mum's having an operation to remove the tumour, as well as a cluster of lymph nodes. This won't be the last hurdle but we're just so grateful to have options and Mum will continue fighting to destroy the cancer for good!

The past few months have definitely been the hardest and scariest of my life and so I can't imagine what Mum has been going through. She is the strongest person I know and has as big a smile now as she did before the cancer. She is our rock and has kept our whole family positive and hopeful. Anyone who knows her knows she will continue to be the happy, optimistic, resilient person she has always been; no matter what life throws in the way.

Even though Walk Together 2019 is only a few weeks after a major operation (and most likely just before another round of chemotherapy), Mum is of course as determined as ever to complete it as a family in order to raise awareness and money for Bowel Cancer UK. She has participated in so many charity events in the past but this one definitely feels different. It may not be the longest distance but it will be the hardest.

All the money raised will help stop people dying of bowel cancer by funding vital services and lifesaving research. Thank you so much for your support.

Becca, Jordan, Debbie, Matt xxxx