Why LOROS?
In August 2004, my Dad died at the LOROS hospice after a short battle with cancer (malignant melanoma), aged 48. LOROS provided a safe and supportive place for my Dad to spend his last hours, and for us to begin to grieve. The garden surrounding the hospice will always hold a special place in my heart; the place where we realised that my Dad had hours rather than weeks left to live and where I told my now husband that my Dad had died just a few short hours later. LOROS also provided great support to my Mum, both before and after my Dad's death; not only did she have to deal with the fact that she wasn't going to grow old with her soul mate, she had two teenagers who were dealing with losing their Dad.

A Half-Marathon?
Last May, high on the success of having given birth to my beautiful daughter the month before, I decided that now was the time for me to do something positive to celebrate my Dad's life. And I decided that the thing I wanted to do was to run a half-marathon. I've watched the Great North Run on the TV for many years and thought "One day..." but never done anything about it. In fact, before the beginning of the year, I hadn’t regularly exercised since my last PE lesson aged 16...I'm now 29...

Three Unlikely Runners?
That's me, my sister and my best friend. I don't know if I'd have made my decision to run the half-marathon if I'd realised the impact it would have on some of those closest to me. After sharing my plans with my sister and best friend they both said "Can I run with you?" Their support still gives me goosebumps. I can't wait to celebrate with the two of them once we've all crossed the finish line, even if it is some time after my little sister!

Then Three Became Four!
A few weeks into my Couch to 5k programme, I came back to find my husband ready to head out for a run.  Shortly after he asked to join us for the Leicester Half-Marathon.  I'm so very proud of him but am sad that I won't be able to see him cross the finish line!

Your role?
Please dig deep and donate what you can to LOROS to give other families the same chance we had.

It costs £7.5 million each year for LOROS to be able to deliver their services, of which at least £4.5 million has to be raised each year within the local community. It's difficult to see how any amount we can afford to donate can make any significant impact but it really can:
• £10 could pay for collecting a patient from home for day treatment
• £25 could pay for an hour’s care for a LOROS in-patient
• £100 could pay for a Community Nurse Specialist patient visit
• £700 could pay for the cost of a nurse for a week
• £850 could pay for the running of the Hospice for an hour

Every penny really does count, so please donate whatever you are able to.

Final plea?

Please apply sunscreen when you’re out and about enjoying the last of the summer rays and check any moles you have regularly.  You can find more information on taking care of your skin here: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/skin-cancer/about/preventing-skin-cancer

Thank you so much – your support really means a lot to me.