Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I'm running the Great South Run for Move because of the practical support this great charity gives to anyone living with or beyond cancer.  

I am passionate about how powerful exercise and physical activity can be for anyone affected by cancer.  There is lots of evidence to support the many benefits that moving more can bring at all stages of the cancer journey.

One of Move's initiatives is 5k Your Way - which is a nationwide support group with a difference for anyone affected by cancer. Together with another couple of volunteer Ambassadors, Sue and Sarah, I am setting up a 5k Your Way group in Basingstoke.

As most of you know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2015, and spent most of the following year undergoing treatment.  I was able to continue running through my chemo and radiotherapy, which I believe helped me through this treatment relatively easily.  I then started to take daily medication which I was meant to take for 10 years.  The side effects of this medication soon became so crippling to the point that I started to think I'd never be able to run properly again.  I kept on going despite the muscle and joint pain, but I was really struggling badly and was unable to jog more than a couple of miles because of the pain.  Eventually I came off the medication 7 years early with my consultant's blessing - as we both believe that the ability to run and keep physically active would bring so many positive benefits to me including mental health and quality of life.   6 months ago the thought of running 10 miles was inconceivable!    The side effects have all but gone now and I'm so happy to be out running longer distances again, and really looking forward to running the Great South on behalf of Move.

I'd really appreciate any donations you can make - so that Move can continue to make a real and tangible difference to the lives of people affected by cancer.  Thank you so much.

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.