In 1997 I lost my beautiful mum to cancer, she was 40 years old - the same age I will become this year. It feels very strange to know that I will soon reach (and exceed) the age she was when she passed.

I miss her endlessly.

Her illness was short, with only 8 months between diagnosis and her passing but during this period she regularly visited Longfield and I know she valued her time there.

Several years after she passed, I went to see the Dr to tell him that I didn't feel as though I was coping. He referred me back to Longfield, where I received counselling which helped me make sense of what I was feeling and in turn, feel better.

The services they offered to my mum, and then to me, were provided for free and as such I would like to raise some money to enable them to continue to help other families at what will undoubtedly be one of the hardest points in their life.