When a child is diagnosed with cancer life becomes full of fear, for them and their family. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, overwhelming money worries, of having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to.

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we help families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. But every day 12 more children and young people hear the devastating news they have cancer. We’ll face it all together – but we can’t do it without you.

I am going to be walking 80 miles this September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and taking on Challenge 80 for Young Lives vs Cancer.

Young cancer patients face a 80 mile round trip, on average, to get treatment. This isn't by choice. Many young cancer patients have to travel to specialist cancer centres to get the care they need, they can't just go to their local hospital. Southampton General Hospital has a wide catchment area including Hampshire, Dorset, the Channel Islands, West Sussex, the Isle of Wight and parts of Berkshire, Wiltshire and Surrey.

Families on average are travelling 350 miles a month for treatment and spending £250 a month on travel costs.

I have recently joined the South Hampshire Voluntary Group for Young Lives vs Cancer and I am raising funds to help children and young people with cancer, so thank you very much if you are able to sponsor me for this challenge.

To find out more visit www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk