Next year will see me running the London Marathon for Macmillan but also for my Mum. 2016 had three huge life events for me - I turned 30, I got married, and 5 weeks and 2 days later I lost my mum.

Mum was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer in 2013. This year saw her finally have to concede to a battle she couldn't win. She endured radiotherapy, chemotherapy and towards the end immunotherapy and she fought every step of the way. Throughout her treatment I raised a lot of money for Cancer Research, as they were the ones who were helping find the treatments that maybe one day will cure cancer.....but they weren't ready in time for my mum. When we found out that the end was in sight that there was no silver bullet as my mum would call it, that is when my eyes were opened to the incredible work that Macmillan carry out. No one deserves to suffer after a fight like my mum put up, and thanks to the work of Macmillan and the hospice nurses my mums last days were something to treasure. Time we will never get back. My mum suffered from a lot of pain which they controlled. They guided her, counselled her and made the transition from treatment to end of life care easier to accept then we ever could have thought. To watch the acceptance in my mum is what gave me the courage to accept what was happening. She didn't fear death, and when the end came I was there to see her take her last breath....I was lucky to see how peaceful she was when she left this world...this world she brought me into...and none of this would have been possible without the work that Macmillan do. I am running this Marathon for my mum and I will embrace every agonising step towards the finish line as it will not even be a par on what my mum endured the last 3 years so she could be there for us. My mum was strong and she gave me that strength and I want to make a difference. I want to ensure that every fighter of this cruel disease continue to get the support they deserve after the battles they endure. Everyone touched by cancer has a story. My mums isn't going to end here simply because she left this world. I will continue this fight for her. Please help me reach my target and honour the memory of my Mum. Thank you. xxxxxxxx