In June last year my best and bravest friend lost her fight with a rare and ferocious cancer, neuroendocrine cancer. Since being diagnosed nearly five-years before Miranda never let the disease get in the way of doing what she wanted, how she wanted. She rode at international events, and partied hard.

Her birthday is the 4th April, she would be 31 years old. It will be a tough day for all her friends and family, to mourn the loss of such a special person, but to also remember the good times. There is still so much work to be done to beat this stupid disease. Little is known regarding the underlying genetic makeup of the rare tumours that Miranda had, and there is a lack of understanding of the genetic differences between them. BUT, there is a light in this tunnel, and the Miranda Filmer Fund (in connection to the Royal Free charity) are carrying out ground-breaking research in this field.

To remember Miranda, and make the 4th April a positive day I will be running/walking from my childhood home to hers, in my military kit. I will be accompanied by as many labradors as I can gather, and probably finish with a glass of prosecco, as she would have wanted! It may not be a marathon-a-day for a year, but it will be tough, and for a very good cause. So I appreciate anything you can give in memory of such a legend, and to further the research into neuroendocrine cancer.

About me:

My name is Katy Vincent, I am an officer in the Royal Engineers. I am currently completing a Master of Science in Geo-spatial Intelligence. I was lucky enough to grow up around horses, competing in most disciplines representing the VWH Pony Club. During this time I made some of the best friends, that I still have to this day. The best of them, was Miranda. My partner in crime for nearly 20 years, she was one of a kind. There isn't a day goes by when I don't think about her courageous battle, surviving way beyond the odds, and living for what and who she loved.