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I am participating in the Great North Run alongside my Uncle Michael and Cousin Matthew, for the charity Bowel Cancer UK. The charity are doing fantastic work on raising awareness surrounding Bowel Cancer and have a great team of specialist nurses who are more than happy to answer any questions and provide good support and advice. We chose to run for this particular charity as the issue of Bowel Cancer is one that is close to the heart of my family.

In September 2011, my Gran 'Barbara Hawkins' was diagnosed with the disease, this came as a huge shock to family and friends as she was a very healthy, outgoing and independent woman. She was heavily involved in the church community,travelling around various churches, praying for people who needed help and visiting members of the sick. She would always go out of her way to help other people and well respected by those who knew her.

My Gran was never one for complaining, she hardly visited the doctor and didnt really take any medicine (as i remember it was a struggle to get her to take paracetamol) and whether she was feeling ill or not she still had a daily routine which she stuck to.  In the months prior to her diagnosis if Gran or members of my family had been able to recognise any of the symptoms of Bowel Cancer, Barabara may have had a better chance of fighting the disease. If Bowel Cancer is detected early it is easier to treat, Bowel Cancer UK campaigns for regular screening as it has been shown to reduce deaths from Bowel Cancer By 16%. By the time of Diagnosis, the cancer had started to spread to several other organs, we still don't know to this day how long my Gran has suffered in silence.

On the 1st of January 2012 after a short battle with disease my Grandmother Barbara Hawkins, sadly passed away.

In the short 4 months from diagnosis to her death, my gran and the family had great support from specialist charities. Their specialist nurses kept us up to date with terminology, explaining the processes and regularly visiting my Gran. They provided a strong link with the hospital helping to get things done that we wouldnt have been able to do without their specialist knowledge and guidance. I personally cannot believe how hard these charities work to promote awareness and campaing for things like early screening, i see how vital their existence is in the fight against cancer. I only hope that i will be able to repay some of the debt that we owe charities such as Bowel Cancer UK.

I have some fantastic memories of my Gran, she seemed ever present in my childhood helping to raise me, my sister and my cousins whilst our parents were at work. She was always very supportive of all of us an its a testament onto her of how close our family is to this day. I am honoured to be dedicating this race to her and running with my family and i only hope that we can do her proud. She will always be missed.

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