In 1995 a great friend of my parents, Jo Maxwell was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Both her and her husband, Jamie found it very difficult to find information out about the cancer and there was very little help and advice offered to them. After the tragedy of his wife's death from the cancer in 1999 Jamie decided to set up a charity in memory of his wife to make it easier for other women like her to get help, information and most importantly support about cervical cancer. Very sadly, Jamie died of a brain tumor in 2003, but the outstanding effort he contributed to the charity means that Jo's Trust, with the help of everyone that runs it has continued to grow and is now the UK's leading charity dedicated to women, their families and friends suffering from cervical cancer.
My Dad ran the marathon 10 years ago, in memory of Jo, and raised an outstanding amount for the charity, one that is very close to our whole family. He is on the committee and is determined to develop the charity further in memory of both Jo and Jamie. To help him do this, I have decided, at the age of 21, to raise money for such a worthwhile charity by running the virgin london marathon in April. Every year in the UK over 2,800 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and over 1100 of these will die from the disease. The money that I hope to raise will help Jo's trust campaign for greater awareness and understanding of cervical cancer and in particular promote the importance of regular smear testing, stopping more women dying from the disease.
I have begun my training, (which is a lot tougher than I was expecting) and I am determined to complete the 26 miles and any amount that you can donate is so greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much to anyone who donates and remember girls go and get a smear test, tell your friends to get a smear test and help stop more women suffering like Jo did.
Love Bott xxxx
