Hi everyone, thanks for taking the time to look at this.

I'm running a half marathon on 8th September in Greenwich to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support because over the years I've been made aware through friends' experiences of the fantastic service that they provide for cancer sufferers and their families; recently this awareness has moved closer to home with my grandmother needing specialist daily care as she battles with an inoperable melanoma.

My Gran is a remarkable person who has always set a great example to get on with life and to keep going, even - or especially - when things get tough. A talented artist without ego, she always sees the positive in everything, even when thrown a rubbish hand - a perspective I think (hope) I've inherited a little of. As she faces this next hurdle, Gran still manages to draw on her humour and grace, whilst planning her next artistic project (a massive papier mache sculpture), even when she is in considerable pain. So I'm running this race for the original Optimist in my life, who continues to inspire me and always will.

I'd really appreciate any donations, no matter how small, to help me reach my target for Macmillan and hopefully spur me on to finish those last painful miles!

Thank you
Hollyx