My big brother Mike met Elizabeth over twenty years ago when I was still at school. They married in 2006 and have three beautiful boys together; Freddie, George and Hughie.

In 2021 in the midst of a Covid lockdown Elizabeth spotted a lump and after a few weeks of tests and scans, learnt that she had developed triple negative breast cancer. The cancer was particularly aggressive but had been detected early and treatment was underway quickly. After bravely enduring months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgeries, her consultants believed they had managed to remove all signs of the cancer.

Almost two years to the day since the end of her treatment, in August last year Elizabeth started to feel unwell again. She went to her doctor for some more tests and received the worst possible news, as she learnt that the cancer had returned, now in her bones. On Sunday 28th January 2024, our hearts were broken when Elizabeth passed away peacefully at the Christie hospital in Manchester, with Mike by her side.

I’m running the London (and my first ever) Marathon for Elizabeth, and raising money for Breast Cancer Now.

Breast Cancer Now’s research has 1 main goal. To stop secondary breast cancer in its tracks.

It covers many different areas. From improving understanding of secondary breast cancer and developing better treatments, to improving the care and support services for people living with it.

Right now, some of the brightest minds in breast cancer research are making progress in every aspect of secondary breast cancer.

The research that they are carrying out today was sadly too late to cure Elizabeth, but the treatment she received over the past six months was a result of their medical advances. Elizabeth was an incredible mum, wife, daughter, sister and friend to so many and if I can run with her spirit and bravery I’m sure I’ll be ok!

As the Dad of Edie and Florence, the added motivation for me is that every pound I raise for Breast Cancer Now will help them become successful in their goal of finding a cure for breast cancer and eradicating secondary breast cancer altogether, so that eventually nobody ever dies of this awful disease.