I will be running the London Marathon 2025 for Sue Ryder, and there is no other charity that I would rather do it for. To be honest it feels very strange to be typing about something that I often keep so close to my heart but I feel as though being honest is what is needed at this moment. In 2018 my dad died of bowel cancer after his battle for 9 years. He was the most dependable dad, funniest friend, roughest rugby player. He took us on the most incredible holidays, up to the top of mountains and allowed us to live out some insane Bahrain days. He was an army officer, five time marathon runner, an extensive planner and organiser but most of all he was the bestest daddy bear me and my four siblings could have ever asked for. He taught us what love was, showed us the beauty of life and told us to always put others first.

My dad is pretty much always on my mind, with grief coming in both strong and slightly softer waves. You never quite know when or how hard it is going to hit you but what I do know is that it all boils down to the love that I am holding for my dad. I try to channel this love and live each day to the full, which is exactly what dad did right up till the end. It is really tricky to explain these emotions which is often why I prefer just keeping them to myself. But I share them with you now, trying my hardest to articulate these overpowering feelings as best I can because I want to give something back now, but I need your help.

So with my dad in mind as always, I will be running the marathon for Sue Ryder, as dad spent his final few weeks in the Sue Ryder St John's hospice Moggerhanger. Although I was only 13, I still remember the kindness of the doctors, nurses and carers. I remember how supportive the hospice was to my family when it became like a second home. I remember thinking how incredible the place was. Honestly, I still think all of these things and believe that any money I raise will allow people to feel the same things that I did when I was going through what I now understand to be one of the toughest moments in my life.

I am going to do my best to raise as much as I can for this astonishing charity. Life is incredible and I hope everyone who knew my dad knows just how much he loved living.

Thank you for taking time to read this.

Lots of love, Tess