Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. If you've got this far then I am sure you are aware that on 29 June 2013 I took part in Race for Life for the fifth consecutive year, and this year with a twist!  My friend Alison and I joined Team Heart and, along with Rachel New from Heart FM's Breakfast Show and 48 other wonderful ladies, we took on this year's 5K challenge and completed it in a fairly respectable 48 minutes!

I undertake Race for Life in order to give something back, having been touched by cancer in my close family. Sadly, in November 2010, my Uncle Bill, a quiet, unassuming man, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His demise  was so sudden (4 weeks from beginning to feel unwell until his death) that it left a great big hole in our family.

Also, my father-in-law, Dave, a very inspiring man, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in March 2006 and sadly passed away in September 2011. Although there was no cure for Dave, given his advancing years and general poor health, he surpassed his initial prognosis by some 3+ years and he continued to remain as resolute as ever right up until the very end. Dave always said he wasn't going anywhere until he was ready ... and every day, week, month and year we had with him was a blessing.

I have always taken part in Race for Life with my close friend and work colleague, Alison Reynolds. She too undertakes this race for reasons personal to her and we always have a fantastic day. In the last couple of years we have also been joined by my daughter, Holly, of whom we are incredibly proud for taking on this race for such a worthwhile cause.

I Race for Life for every man, woman and child who has been touched by this terrible disease in any of its guises. I therefore NEED YOUR HELP to raise as much money as I possibly can, so PLEASE DIG DEEP and sponsor me online.

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.

Events like Race for Life are vital in funding Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work into preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. By sponsoring me now you can help more people survive cancer. Every pound you donate really does make a difference.

Many thanks for your support - together we will beat cancer!

Louise Xx