Since September 2016 I've worked as a consultant breast surgeon for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. My patients inspire me every day. Their bravery, dignity, and courage in the face of breast cancer is humbling.

Like many of us, I'm also inspired by my personal experiences of breast cancer. My closest friend Alena died 6 years ago, after nearly 8 years living with metastatic breast cancer. I've other friends whose treatment has thankfully been more successful. They all inspire me too (Alena is often sitting on my shoulder, pushing me on when I take on a tough challenge) - I am also running for each of them.

Running the Great North Run for Coppafeel, a fantastic charity that works to encourage breast awareness, especially in young people (Alena was first diagnosed aged 26), in the hope of better outcomes for those unlucky enough to be diagnosed with breast cancer feels like something positive I can do in their honour.

However, while I know a half marathon would be a huge challenge for lots of people, as someone who has run several marathons and ultramarathons I needed a bigger challenge. So I'm not just running the Great North Run, I'll be running it in a boob suit, making a literal tit of myself! Having worn it for parkrun the chafing will be real, but picturing the faces of Alena, my friends and my patients, and thinking about the very much tougher challenge they face that they didn't choose, gives me the kick up the bum I need to push on.

I'll also be taking on a few other challenges along the way. I completed The Lap 47 mile ultramarathon in May and my longest run yet, the Castle to Castle 100 miler, is on 19th July.

And I'm planning to run each of those 100 miles in memory of or in honour of someone special. This is where you come in, please nominate your loved ones or yourself, and if possible bung a small donation in the pot... I'll update the list below as the nominations come in. And if I get to £1000 by the big day I'll do the last mile in the boob suit!

1 - Shell, in memory, Debbie Defty's big sister

2 - Annie, in memory, Janet Robinson's friend

3 - Kath Williams, in memory, for Becki Tall, sadly lost to ovarian cancer

4 - Nana Toole, in memory, Dan's great gran

5 - My lovely Dad

6 - Emma Blythe, in memory, Sophie's lovely friend sadly lost to lymphoma

7 - Andy Bond, in memory, for Heather Bond

8 - Every patient we care for, in memory and in honour, for Angela Hendry

9 - Hazel, in memory, Deepta's lovely mother in law

10 - Tracey, in memory, Samantha Simpson's sister sadly lost to breast cancer

11 - David Tall, in memory, Becki Tall's beloved father

12 - Thomas, in memory for Angie Okell, no child should feel that taking their life is the only solution

13 - Humphrey dog, in memory, for Deb Clarke

14 - Adam Townend (Thierry Henry and his football number)

15 - Helen, in memory, Laura Brooks's cousin sadly lost to breast cancer - SING!

16 - Lisa Breeze

17 - Nick Davies, in memory, Jean Gallwey's Dad

18 - Barry J Senior, in memory, Jodie Wafer's Uncle

19 - Harry Southern, in memory, Pete's son forever 19

20 - Sarah, in memory, Clare Bannister's beautiful friend

21 - Barbara Ketch, in memory, Alison Statham's Mum

22 - In memory of too many lost, for Paula Stockley

23 - James Carr, Claire Ash's grandad, in memory

24 - Mandy, in memory, friend of Louise Porter sadly lost to breast cancer in her 50s

25 - Caroline, in memory, Sarah Crittle's lovely friend

26 - Rich Townend. For some spurious football reason (26/05, 1 minute and 26 seconds into injury time Arsenal scored league winning second goal against Liverpool at Anfield)

27 - Dorothy Owen, in memory, Rose Fazakarly's Mum

28 - Rob, in memory, for Bien

29 - In honour of Charlotte Hudson's brother, as he undergoes treatment for Sarcoma

30 - Jan Greaves, in memory, Rich's family friend

31 - Lorraine, in memory, Gail Davison's friend sadly lost to lymphoma 25 years ago aged 31

32 - Lauren, in memory, Rosalind Spence's beautiful daughter sadly lost to breast cancer

33 - Lauren Petrie's lovely aunt, in memory

34 - Jerry Green, in memory, Kirstin Richardson's lovely Dad

35 - Wendy, in honour, Gail's friend undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer

36 - Bad Boy Running Club

37 - Gary, in memory, Callum Scott's Dad

38 - Janet, in honour

39 - Tony and Carol, in memory, Kelly Kleiser's parents

40 - Frankie, in memory, Alison Smith's Dad

41 - Jan, in honour, Kathryn Kay's friend undergoing treatment for metastatic bowel cancer

42 - David, in memory, Janet Robinson's brother

43 - Deb, in memory, Rachel Jackson's friend sadly lost to breast cancer

44 - In honour of those still fighting, for Paula Stockley

45 - No Drama Llama Runners

46 - Geoff Gilbride, in memory, Anna's lovely Dad sadly lost to colorectal cancer

47 - The Lovett family in memory of all the loved ones they have lost too soon, for Maria Graham

48 - Rasselbockers

49 - Sam Townend, for some spurious football reason (arsenal 49 league games unbeaten streak and the 49 song)

50 - Jen's Mom, Shoshana's friend, a breast cancer survivor, in honour

51 - Pearl, in memory, Fiona Rutherford's auntie sadly lost to breast cancer in 2018

52 - Adrian, in memory, Rich's friend who died aged 18

53 - Valerie Oliver, Caroline Savage's Granny, in memory, sadly lost to breast cancer aged 53

54 - Janet Robinson's Dad, in memory

55 - Vic Treloar's lovely mum, in memory

56 - Karen, in honour, Shreen Howson's friend and a breast cancer survivor

57 - Indy, in memory, Sarah Crittle's lovely dog

58 - We Are Fearless Club

59 - Stuart Simon, in memory, for Sarah and Kieran

60 - Guiseppe, in memory, for Becky and Livia

61 - Team Bertie

62 - Ian, aka Weeney, in memory, Dawn Jones's brother, lost to kidney cancer

63 - Santa Chris, in memory, for Jane Blatch-Gainey

64 - Pamela, in memory, Angie Okell's Mum sadly lost to breast cancer

65 - Flanciistas, a colourful mile!

66 - Auntie Susie, in memory, for Lyndsey Taylor sadly lost to breast cancer

67 - Cathy Love, in memory

68 - Rosemary Myers, in memory, Alice Myers lovely Mum

69 - Ceri, in memory, Jenny Hoyles's friend sadly lost to breast cancer aged 42

70 - Betty Kleiser, in memory, Rich Kleiser's Nan

71 - Grandpa Ipswich, in memory

72 - Andy Bond, in memory, for Heather Bond

73 - Charlotte Hudson's lovely Mum, in memory

74 - Victoria Woodall, in memory, Jenni's lovely friend

75 - Alena, in memory, thanks to Gosia for remembering my lovely friend

76 - Paul Myers, in memory, Alice Myers lovely Dad

77 - Graham, in memory, Lisa Jackson's beloved husband

78 - Douglas Hill, in memory, Becky's lovely Dad

79 - For me, my dedication and all I do, from my lovely Mum and Dad

80 - Joan, in memory, Lyndsey Holliday's Mother in Law

81 - FeelFindMind supporting breast cancer awareness

82 - Phil Ansell, in memory, for Helen and Matthew

83 - Charlotte Beth and Katy, running with my puffin pals

84 - Granny Ipswich, in memory

85 - Lisa Barnes's Nana Priscilla, in memory

86 - Gramps, in memory

87 - Helena, in memory, Gosia's lovely Mum

88 - Jean Gallwey

89 - John, in memory, Deepta's lovely faster in law

90 - Sophie Lucas

91 - Puffins

92 - Peggy, in memory, Cath Prescott-Develing's Gran

93 - Granny Mary, in memory

94 - My lovely Mum

95 - Catherine Gilbride, in memory, Anna's lovely Mum

96 - Jenni's Dad, in memory, laughing at me for doing the stupid thing

97 - Emma, in memory, Alex Humphrey's friend

98 - Sarah Crittle

99 - Alena Holderness Marshall, in memory

100 - My patients, in memory and in honour

I know you all have many appeals for sponsorship, but I'd be extremely grateful for your support for this thoroughly worthy cause.

CoppaFeel! are the UK’s only youth focused breast cancer awareness charity, and we’re on a mission to get every 18-24 year old checking their chest.

We educate people on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and encourage them to check their chests regularly, so that if they notice something unusual they are empowered to contact their GP and advocate for themselves. We do this because when diagnosed early and accurately, breast cancer treatments are more effective and survival rates are higher. Early detection truly can save lives.