We are all working mum's needing to juggle time working and each looking after two children, we all realised and appreciated the importance of having personal goals, and striving to achieve them.

Mel and I have trained together, long winter runs in the bitter cold, rain and snow, training for our April marathons. My sister (Helen) trained for her 3 disciplines back in Oldham, occasionally coming to Thatcham to visit and on one occasion, came running with Mel and I... and this is where our new story begins!! 

Maxine's story

In 2018 I ran the Virgin London marathon, ticking off my biggest bucket list challenge. I trained hard in the coldest of winters and as 'sods law' would have it, ran 26.2 miles on the hottest ever London Marathon... it was incredibly difficult and mentally challenging. 

After finishing (and mostly from 11 miles) I vowed I would never run another marathon again. Seeing my sister, nephew and very good friends at Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and then again on the Embankment, that really got me round. I know that sounds like a cliche, but it really is true.. The support at London is beyond words, I couldn't do it justice by trying to describe the walls of noise and spirit from both the crowds and other runners. London for me was AMAZING.... I couldn't wait to tell the world all about it but even more so, the fantastic charity I ran for. Through my whole marathon journey, from getting a place to weeks after crossing the line, they were so incredibly supportive. We had over 1300 runners on the day, and despite there being so many runners, I still felt part of a small and special team. I felt proud that day and looked forward to seeing the charity cheer points en-route and the encouragement from my fellow runners families.

This special charity give support to families whose Children are fighting this terrible disease. I've become friends with some fellow runners who were also running because their children are, or have been fighting childhood cancer, if find them inspirational. They give me a purpose and a reason to want to run again.. I've never felt so drawn to a charity, as I do for this one, and I've raised money for a number of charities over the last 15 years. I want to carry on raising money, doing what I can to play my part in helping to stop this disease and to help fund research, improve treatment and reduce the burden of toxicity for young sufferers. 

So, I digress!!.. I had a couple of weeks off after London, then got my trainers back on and went for a run with Mel. We ran 3.7 miles for Matt, the chef who tragically passed away during the marathon. Mel and I chatted about our experiences and we both agreed we'd apply again and hopefully get the chance to run the next marathon together. We applied for the ballot and also pledged to run for CwCUK. I spoke to my sister Helen and explained that I'd entered. I tired to encourage her to apply but she couldn't be convinced.. or so I thought! I had a call a couple of days later to say she'd applied and once the seed was planted, there was no going back! Helen also applied for the charity and we agreed if we were all successful, we'd unite as friends and fundraise together as part of a team #solesisters2019 

On the day of the ballot opening, I had a call from the Charity. We chatted about the marathon a couple of weeks earlier and I asked about the process for running for them again next year. Emily offered me a place and in a heartbeat, I accepted.. but then there was Mel... and also Helen. Over the next few days, we were offered our places and will look forward to the next few months of fundraising, training and being part of this wonderful event again x

Mels Story - I ran Southampton marathon in April 2018 in memory of my dear friend Vanessa. I ran Southampton after being unsuccessful in the ballot for London but its something I've always wanted to do. My friend, Maxine, who I trained with over the Winter took part in VLM2018 inspired me so much with her relentless fundraising efforts and passion to do it again in 2019, we agreed to form a team with her sister (Helen) and became the 'Sole Sisters'  

With the unbelievable support that Children with Cancer have given to Maxine, I also wanted to support this astounding cause. I have 2 children myself and can’t even begin to comprehend what it must be like to be faced with being diagnosed with this awful disease. I feel passionate in raising funds to help the children and families that need it. 

Helens story - Never in a million years did I think I'd be saying "I'm doing the London marathon", in October 2017 I couldn't run to the shop! After supporting with the charity in London 2018 when Maxine ran, I was blown away by the whole experience, the support the charity gave to all their runners was just incredible. When I got home I couldn't stop thinking about how amazing it was and how much I'd love to be a part of it, the atmosphere was just buzzing,......... "but..... I can't run..... it's too hard...... it's too far..... I hate running...... running isn't for me"..... I'll never be able to do it".

I set myself a challenge every year, so why not give it a go.. Yes it'll be tough, but will I make it?.... I know for certain that I'll give it my all, and hopefully raise lots of money for families who face agonising challenges with their poorly children every single day.

Finally, thank you.... thank you for reading this, for supporting not only this wonderful charity, but for supporting and encouraging us. 

Almost 4,000 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK. That’s ten every day. Children with Cancer UK is the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer. We fund life-saving research into the causes, prevention and treatment of childhood cancer and we work to protect young lives through essential welfare programmes.