Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, supporting me, and reading why I am taking on this challenge.

I HATE RUNNING. I love horse-riding, badminton, netball, swimming, I even don't mind the cross-trainer - but I hate running.

This isn't about me, this is about two very special people in my life that couldn't run the Great South Run now even if they wanted to. That's why I am embracing the challenge and going to change my hate for running into a love and passion (I hope).

Today is 27th June and with exactly 4 months to the day - I am starting my training.

I am running to raise money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Research, a charity that is special to me for both illnesses.

So who are my special people?

Beth - the best friend a girl could ask for.

I try not too get soppy too often (I am the soppy one of the two of us) but this girl is inspirational. Beth is currently suffering from Hodgkins Lymphoma and has been for the last 18months. Having undergone strong sessions of chemotherapy and having the all clear last year the cancer returned. Beth has recently had radiotheraphy and is currently on a new treatment plan to reduce the cancer cells.

Throughout all of this Beth hasn't moaned once. She has remained strong, focussed, with a positive attitude she will beat cancer no matter what it takes.

She has continued to live her life as fully as she possibly can, although at times this has obviously been difficult, both physically and emotionally. 

Lee - the cousin I look up to.

Lee was diagnosed with Leukeamia when he was 2 years old. Being a strong fighter that he is he survived the Leukaemia and we grew up together with Lee living his life as normal until around the age of 18 where he started to have heart problems including; loss of breath, pains etc. (This was thought to have been triggered by the earlier Leukaemia.)

 

These symptoms continued and Lee had an operation on the 1 Feb 2010 to have a machine fitted to power his heart. He currently has batteries to power his heart whilst he waits for a transplant. It was 2 March 2010 when Lee went onto the heart transplant list - which he is still yet to have.

 

Lee has recently got married, and like Beth, lives everyday to the full. He is a very strong man, caring, and thinks of others before himself. 

 

I am so proud of you both and how you continue to battle, you are amazing individuals, and I am so happy to be in your lives.

Beth and Lee you are inspirations to us all. If I can raise £1000, it's a £1000 towards finding a cure for these illnesses.

Thank you for reading and for your support.