I decided that I wanted a new challenge for 2013 - I would run the Great North Run and what better charity to run it for than Beating Bowel Cancer!

Beating Bowel Cancer is a charity close to my heart as my Aunt was a bowel cancer sufferer who found their support invaluable throughout her treatment.  The charity are always there at the end of the phone to talk and their easy to read booklets cut out the jargon doctors use.  They helped her to work with the medical team providing her care, allowing her to take charge of her own treatment.  In return, my Aunt volunteered to speak on behalf of sufferers, even speaking at the House of Commons!  She was an inspiration to me and I have been moved to help raise money to continue this important support for others who are facing the diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer.

Sadly, my wonderful aunt died in March of this year, after I started my fundraising. Please help me to raise as much money as possible for this charity which makes such a huge difference to bowel cancer sufferer's lives.

Here's how your support could make a difference:

£2 could cover the cost of a call to the specialist nurse helpline from someone in urgent need of support and advice

£5 could provide a bowel cancer patient with a 'Just Diagnosed' information pack

£10 could help 100 worried members of the public access to vital online information on the symptoms of bowel cancer

£50 could cover the cost of the online patient forum for a day, allowing patients, their families and friends to share their experiences

£100 could enable a patient volunteer to talk to groups and raise awareness of bowel cancer

£300 could run the specialist nurse helpline for a day, providing support and advice to newly diagnosed patients and their families

Thank you for you support!