In 2011 our friend and colleague Tanya was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Undeterred she faced the fight and after a hysterectomy and chemo radiotherapy she recovered. 

In February 2013 in the week that she celebrated her 40th birthday Tanya received the devastating news that the cancer had returned to her pelvis and that it was inoperable. Tanya fought hard and bore her illness with dignity and courage, she kept smiling and she never complained. In true Tanya style she used her illness as a means of raising awareness of cervical cancer by choosing to support Jo's Trust.

Tanya sadly died on August 2nd 2013 and we will be continuing the Race for Tanya series in her memory and to raise money for Tanya's chosen charity.

The Race for Tanya series consists of around 18 running and rowing events including several 10km races both here and abroad, the Great River Race (a 22 mile row along the Thames), the Amsterdam half marathon and in 2014 the London or Edinburgh full marathon.

On February 22nd 2014 Tanya would have celebrated her 41st Birthday. To mark the occasion Tanya's friends and colleagues Simon and Deborah Cane will be joining me in the Dubai Desert Road Race - a 10K dash across the desert.

Deborah and Simon now face their toughest challenge yet and will be racing in the Polar Circle Half Marathon on October 25th. Due to a leg broken in training I am still on the bench but am making a gradual return to running. Please join me in supporting them as they take on this harsh terrain, sub zero temperatures and a stretch across the polar ice cap. Tanya would have loved the madness and would have been astonished by your amazing generosity to date.

Everything that you donate will go directly to charity and will help to save lives by raising awareness and supporting women with cervical cancer.

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.