Hello and welcome,

I am running the Cambridge half marathon in memory of my amazing mum and also for my dad who is currently fighting cancer too.

My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and bravely fought and overcame the disease. Then completely out the blue mid-September 2013 we found out that this vicious disease had come back to haunt us. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in her liver, lungs and bones. She kept upbeat and swearing and black humour took over our household. She made it to my brother's wedding in October and looked stunningly beautiful as she did on a daily basis anyway.

She sadly lost her battle against cancer on Wednesday 15th January 2014 with all of us around her. She couldn't have timed it more perfectly as we were at home with her and we were standing around her bed toasting her life and ironically as we clinked our glasses above her and said chin chin, she took her final breath.

In a cruel twist of fate, my dad was diagnosed with cancer a few days before she died. This was a complete blow and so on top of grieving for the loss of an inspirational and truly incredible mum, we are now trying to remain upbeat and supportive to help my dad with his battle.

There has therefore never been a more important time to raise money for cancer research to help them continue with the groundbreaking research they are doing. My mum did a body painting calendar for cancer research and raised over £20,000 and was recently a model on their 'Beat Cancer Sooner' body painting billboard campaign at Victoria Station. We were so proud of her!

I am not a natural runner and finding time to train has been tough as my weekends were spent helping to look after mum and enjoying the time we had left with her. I just keep thinking what im doing this for and it is spurring me on to keep running!

The support I have had over this dark period of time has been incredible from my family, partner and friends. I couldn't have coped without you all so thank you!

Please dig deep and help the dream of one day being able to permanently cure cancer!

The fantastic Christine Martin, Michelle Bottomley, Caroline Legg and Anthony Gleave are running this with me too! We will be spurring each other on! 

Laura xxx