Hi - sorry if this is a bit long but tells you my story!

Please take a look at my photos.

On 2nd May 2010 Tim and I got married and had an amazing day. My dad, Bill Platt proudly gave me away and made a lovely speech. All our friends and family had a wonderful day.

Bill was a hardworking successful businessman with his own companies based in Haverhill, Suffolk and in Dartington, Devon. He had many friends throughout his life. He was caring and always making a joke.

My dad, after struggling to eat properly for a few months or so and a few visits to the Doctors and hospital for tests, on 1st March 2011, received the devastating news that he had cancer of the oesophogus that had spread to his liver. The cancer was terminal and in-operable. 

With support from my stepmother Lin and my step sisters, Vicky, Tonia and Mandy and their families, Dad endured several rounds of chemo. This made him feel even more unwell and unfortunately was not particularly effective. In August 2011, friends and family gathered to celebrate Dad's 59th birthday.

From September onwards Dad deteriorated with thrombosis, pneumonia, two strokes, admission to hospital and then to a Nursing Home. Dad was receiving palliative care only now with pain relief through a syringe driver. Dad became more confused and less communicative as he slipped away from us. Dad died on Wednesday 20th October. Words cannot explain the feelings and loss felt by all those who loved him.

Dad knew I had entered for the London Marathon hoping to run it in 2012 and was waiting to find out about a place when he died. He was emotional when we last spoke about me running the marathon when he was quite ill and I knew then how proud he would be of me. Therefore I am running the Edinburgh Marathon 2012 on 27th May for him.

My husband Tim will also be running in memory of his Mum, Christine Newcombe who died in 2004 aged 62 of ovarian cancer. Christine also suffered for a number of years after undergoing chemo which had many unpleasant and painful side effects. Christine was always kind hearted and caring and was a keystone for the family. Christine is still missed every day and lives on in the memories and hearts of her family.

We are running our first marathon for Macmillan to support people and their families living with cancer.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.