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SHAN'S  STORY

I lost my husband Justin Smith (aka Pepsi Tate from Glam rock band Tigertailz) back in 2007 from pancreatic cancer age 42 and had no idea how my life was going to get back on track. As you can imagine it's the most painful experience anyone could endure and cancer unfortunately affects each and every one of us in some way or other.

I was lucky to have my singing and performing, which was a great distraction at the time, but what really saved me was my passion for horses. I'd always ridden as a child (being a blacksmith and farrier's daughter) but after losing Justin I bought a Welsh Cob called CAIO and the hours spent gallopin on Ogmore beach in the sunset was the best therapy ever in dealing with my grief. He's become my special friend and saviour and is quite a character!

AMSER JUSTIN TIME

I launched a charity in Justin's name in 2008 called 'Amser Justin Time' (Pancreatic Cancer Charity Wales/ www.amserjustintime.org) and along with friends and colleagues organised an epic 300 mile North to South Wales horseride to raise awareness of this cruel disease. Caio was with me all the way. To date 'Amser Justin Time' has raised approx £150,000 and funds a specialist pancreatic cancer nurse at the Heath Hospital Cardiff and has just announced available funding for a PHD research graduate for 3 yrs. We continue to raise money through concerts and fundraising events with support from performers such as  Bryn Terfel, Only Men Aloud, Rhydian, Wynne Evans, John Owen Jones, actor Steffan Rhodri, Catrin Finch, Rebecca Evans, Gwyn Hughes Jones, Caryl Parry Jones, Sharon D. Clarke,  to name just a few. We are deeply indebted to all these fantastic performers for their undying support. 

I always said if I was to lead a charity it would have to be fun and so horseriding has become a big part of the picture. Caio has made many celebrity appearances and my latest venture has been getting my jerks up so to speak! It was Rachel Evans from Countryside Alliance who first approached me with a challenge to race at Ffoslas racecourse and me being me after a glass of wine said "Yes...count me in!' Little did I know that I was going to get bitten by the racing bug! I love it. Even though I'm a late developer and only got my jerks up in Sept 2010 I have 3 charity races under my belt - 2 at Ffoslas and 1 straight mile down the hallowed turf at Ascot through which I broadcasted 2 half hours for BBC Radio Wales. All my steeds (Grand Arte, Tae Kwon Do and Glennacreme) have been kindly organised by the talented young trainer Tim Vaughan at Tim Vaughan racing in Aberthin, South Wales.  They're an amazing bunch of people and if it wasn't for them I certainly wouldn't be having the time of my life. There's no feeling like it in the world.  Thanks team Tim Vaughan - you're amazing! 

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL!

Now then - my latest challenge is a dream come true. I got SELECTED as one of the twelve jockeys to race in the St Patrick's Derby charity sweepstake at this year's Cheltenham Festival! Gobsmacked isn't the word. It's going to be incredible and all the jockeys are raising money for such a good cause - Cancer Research UK.

We all have a mininum of £5,000 to raise for such a worthy charity and I can't stress enough how important it is to fund this life saving research. We're all touched by this cruel disease in some way so please give generously and do what you can to help conquer this terrible disease. Thank you so much for your time.

Diolch o galon. 

Lots of love and wish me luck!

Shan Cothi (aka Shani Dettori!) x