I am running St Albans 10k on Friday 19th April to raise money for Jasmine, the daughter of my dear friends Tania and Ioannis, who received devastating news in January 2018, when Jasmine was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, an extremely aggressive childhood cancer that affects around 100 children in the UK each year.

Jasmine has undergone extensive treatment and experienced some awful, life-threatening side effects that no child should have to endure. Over this period, she has had prolonged treatment in hospital, where at times she is not even able to leave her room or see her older brother (who she adores), along with a regular stream of appointments even when she is not staying in hospital.

In spite of this, Jasmine has remained as cheerful as possible throughout her treatment, smiling when she can and charming all the staff with her lovely, sunny disposition. She has also decided that when she grows up she would like to be a doctor to help poorly children like herself.

It is heartbreaking that the family are facing the prospect that this cancer returns in almost 50% of children affected and, once that happens, less than 1 in 10 children will survive. They are working to raise £236,000 to access some promising treatment in the US, which significantly reduces the chance of a relapse.

I cannot even begin to imagine what they must be going through so I am raising money to help Tania and Ioannis in the fight to protect their daughter and give her a chance to grow up and fulfil her dreams. If you are able to sponsor me to complete the St Albans 10k, it would be hugely appreciated.