I'm running the TCS 2025 London Marathon as part of #TeamBowelCancerUK.

Sadly this year, one of my best friends, Rachel, was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Rach was 35 when she was diagnosed and on maternity leave with her son; Noah. On the day she was due to return to work she instead spent it having her first round of chemotherapy.

At the end of September Rach had her first operation. Prior to this she had 8 rounds of chemotherapy which started in April, followed by a course of radiotherapy. Thankfully, the operation was successful and all her loved ones are so happy to see she is responding well to treatment. She will have a further operation and treatment but has a massive support system who will be by her side all the way.

To be completely honest, I have found writing this very hard because realistically there is absolutely nothing I can do to make the pain that cancer causes to go away. It makes the pain of running a marathon seem so insignificant.

Rach inspires me every single day and this is my way of showing support to her, so she knows she is so loved, strong and absolutely capable of kicking cancers butt.

There is nothing more I'd love than to be able to make it all go away. This is is why I am raising money for Bowel Cancer UK - Any donations are greatly appreciated!

I’ve chosen to support Bowel Cancer UK as they're UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. They’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.

They support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.

How your donation could help make a difference:

• £10 could deliver an awareness talk

• £25 could provide an hour’s expert nurse support on our Ask the Nurse service

• £50 could help support policy work to improve bowel screening

By donating today, we can help Bowel Cancer UK achieve their vision of a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer.