Four years ago, my big sister Rebecca died from bowel cancer.  She was diagnosed late and her only treatment option after surgery was a trial cancer drug. 

Without that option we would not have had the last nine months with her that meant so much to me and to all her family and friends.  I think back on that time more than any other I spent with her.

Rebecca lived in Kent.  Had she lived in the North East she would have received her treatment at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care.  Patients come to the Sir Bobby Centre from across the North East and Cumbria.

Bob Baxter, originally from Middlesbrough and then Chester-le-Street, was a patient there.  He was a lecturer at Hartlepool College.  A positive, funny and thoughtful man, he was a father and husband and one of the bravest people I will ever know.

Bob and his wife Alison helped the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation on numerous occasions by raising money and helping to publicise the charity’s work though media interviews, which must have been very hard to give.

Last year I ran the Great North Run for the first time.  When it got really difficult, I thought about Rebecca.  The way she also faced cancer with great courage and humour, and thinking more of the people around her who loved her than of herself.

On this year's run I’ll think of my sister, and also Bob, who last year was well enough to run the race thanks to the treatment he received through the Sir Bobby Centre.

Bob had cancer and still managed a better Great North Run time than me.  I berated him for making me look bad.  He was an amazing man and I’m proud to have known him.  He died in May.  We’ll miss him at the finish. 

Thank you for sponsoring me as I raise funds for a charity that means the world to me and to so many other people who know the pain caused by cancer.