I am really excited to have been selected to take part in Maggie's on The Runway 2021.  As I am sure many of you know, this is about as far out of my comfort zone as I could get.  Getting dressed up, (no wellies, jeans or jumpers) hair and makeup done and parading around on a cat walk under Concorde.......Oh, and Rick Astley will be there!  

In August 2020 I found a lump in my breast, by September I knew I needed to see a Dr.  I received my appointment at the Nightingale Breast Centre.  It was my birthday.  Mammograms, Scans and biopsies were not what I was hoping for!  We went back the following week for the results, where I was told that it was breast cancer.  I was totally unprepared (can you ever be prepared?) for this news.

Having surgery and treatment during Covid was an incredibly lonely experience.  I remember being dropped of by Simon, in the dark the morning of my operation and walking in a daze to the ward.  After this, I attended all of my other appointments alone.  

After one particularly  horrible week of treatment at the Christie, I took myself to the Maggie's centre.  As soon as I walked in, I felt better.  It is the most comforting place, staffed by amazing people.  I didn't realise how much stuff I was bottling up until I spoke to one of their counsellors.

It has been a very tough time for me and my little family.  My confidence has really taken a nose dive and I am still struggling with the effects of treatment and hormone therapy.  I can't pretend that I can run marathon - I can't even ride my bike!  But I CAN do this.

Maggie's is a charity that provides emotional, practical and social support to those living with cancer and their loved ones. Having this support makes an enormous difference to anyone diagnosed. Maggie's does not receive any government funding whatsoever and relies solely on charitable donations.

£300 pays for a cancer support specialist to provide immediate advice and support for all visitors welcomed at a centre each day.  That is going to be my target.

Please donate any amount, even a small donation can make a huge difference.

Thanks.