On the 8/8/2008 I sadly lost my Mum, Peggy Alton to Breast Cancer. After a long illness it was still a deep shock and one that I struggled to come to terms with for a long time. She had recently become a Grandma and absolutely adored her Grandson so her passing at this time was particularly difficult. Even now several years later I struggle to understand what happened. Emotionally I was in a very dark place and it was only the love and support of friends and family that kept me positive and moving forward rather than dwelling on the past.

In 2010 I decided to run for Breakthrough Breast Cancer (rebranded Breast Cancer Now from 2015) in memory of my Mum.To date I am proud to have completed 25 marathons and 2 ultra marathons. There have been many ups and downs, injuries and insecurities but thanks to the fabulous support I have received I have run all over the UK meeting and making many new friends.

What made my challenge unique is that I am very much a back of the pack runner. I am slow more of a plodder than a runner but I have a huge determination and a big heart. I have met and had the pleasure to run with many people who have helped me get where I am today. Not least the people at Breast Cancer Now who were simply fantastic every step of the way.

In 2015 I turned 50 and thought I should put on my running shoes one last time. My aim is to raise awareness and funds to help families who's lives like my own have been touched by Cancer.

After running twenty five marathons in just over 2 years it has been difficult to find a suitable challenge that would get people to donate. I have after much deliberation decided to attempt to run 1,000 miles in 12 months culminating in running my 1,000th mile on the finish line at the South Coast 100k Challenge on the 27th August 2016.

To keep me sane on the way and help build up my stamina I am planning to run the following events:

 Sunday 20th March 2016 - The Vitality North London Half Marathon which finishes in Wembley Stadium.

Saturday 16th July 2016 - The Midnight Marathon at Queen Elizabeth Country Park near Petersfield, my first night marathon.

Saturday 27th August - The South Coast 100k Challenge,  a distance which I have tried twice to complete as a runner and have failed both times. hopefully this will be third time lucky.

Running 1,000 miles will be tough on me both mentally and physically. but I am confident that I will succeed this time albeit a little nervous of the miles ahead.

Please help me and Breast Cancer Now to help others who have family and friends touched by Breast Cancer. I will put my heart and soul into this  so please donate if you can. I appreciate every single donation and  all the support people have given and continue to give me.

Please give me a helping hand and help make Breast Cancer a distant memory that future generations never have to deal with.

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

You can even donate by text which will go straight to my fundraising page by texting your NNNN49 and an amount of £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070.