In September 2009 I watched the Great North Run, wishing I was there.  Three days later my darling sister lost her battle with Lupus - a complete and utter shock.  She was only 46 years old.  She was bright, beautiful and so very brave - I shall miss her every day for the rest of my life.

So in September 2010 "Team Lucy" are running the Great North Run in memory and honour of my irreplaceable sister. 

When Lucy was a little girl her classmate Julian drew a  picture of her, which inspired a song - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.    Although proud of her association with the Beatles song, she felt it was the least important thing about her - unless she could harness it to raise awareness and funds for the charity which supported her.

Her legacy is extraorodinary - in the week she died if you googled her name you would have found over a million sites talking about her and Lupus - she has done more to raise awarness of this disease than she could ever have dreamt of. 

I made a promise to her that I would carry on her fight against this disease - raising awareness and funds wherever I could.   The stats are awful - more people suffer from Lupus than Aids, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis COMBINED.  Early diagnosis is essential to prevent this insidious disease from stealing young lives. 

The money we raise will go towards much needed research towards finding a cure for Lupus.

The St. Thomas Lupus Trust was there with her throughout her illness and we want to thank them for the love and support they showed her during her life, and her family after her death. 

I would like to thank Gina and Deborah for coming on this journey with me - I'm so lucky to have these wonderful friends who have supported me throughout this sad time - and I'm paying them back by making them run 13 miles, mainly uphill on a motorway , whilst wearing a tutu - thanks girls - I salute you!  

Please spread the Lupus word - and never forget my Lucy.

A brief update on our little campaign - the very lovely BBC are featuring us on the Great North Run broadcast on Sunday morning.  We are one of three stories being featured during the programme and we are so grateful to them for drawing attention to our campaign and for giving us the opportunity to spread the Lupus word.  Not to mention the fun we had running round Wimbledon Rugby club in our tutus this morning with them - a really smashing bunch.  Don't forget to Sky + us!!

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