I am taking part in my first ever marathon, to raise funds for causes which are very important and close to my heart. It was very difficult for me to choose one charity that supports causes which have affected me and my loved ones, so I am raising money for three separate charities.

I would really appreciate any donation within these tricky times, big or small, as each and every penny will go towards causes which I'm sure has affected us all so dearly. It will also make the 1219km I have to run in training much easier, knowing each and every step is going towards the most incredible charities!

I've told a bit of my personal stories below for each charity, and shared why they are all so special to me and my family.

I'd like to keep the donations spread fairly evenly, so please donate to the charity that either resonates with you, or has the lowest funds!

Cancer Research UK

It's devastating that so many of us are affected by cancer. On Father's Day in June 2011, I lost my lovely, caring and cheeky grandad, Royston Clarkson, to cancer.

Just three months later, I lost my step-father, Dale Brant, to a rare type of cancer, a neuroendocrine tumor, where he passed away just aged 36, leaving my mum to raise my two young brothers, and teenage me on her own. They say it takes a village to raise a family, and my incredible mum did it all on her own.

Devastatingly, 7 months later in April 2012 when we were all still grieving, my mum lost her mum, and I lost my loving grandmother, Jean Gregory, to ovarian cancer.

Alzheimer's Society

In March 2020, I lost my grandfather, Peter Gregory, to Alzheimer's, which he had been struggling with for several years. It was incredibly difficult to see him lose precious memories that he always shared with me on the weekends visiting my grandparents and on many walks to the local park. Yet, despite this, every time I visited him in his later years in his care home, he would welcome me with open arms and a smile, even though he wasn't quite sure of my name!

Sheffield Hospitals Charity

Finally, I would like to raise funds for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, who took the most incredible care of my Grandma, Jean Clarkson, when she passed away in August 2022. She was the most wonderful, inspiring and caring woman, who definitely had the most visitors on the ward! She is missed so dearly and is a strong role model in my life.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.