On 23rd Feb, I am taking on el Maratón de Sevilla with Ollie Hext

I will be running for Jo’s Trust.

Jo's Trust was set up in 1999 in memory of Jo Maxwell who, for four years, bravely battled Cervical Cancer. Throughout her diagnosis, there was a real lack of information and help about Cervical Cancer. It was Jo and her late husband Jamie Maxwell’s wish that one day everyone would have easy access to the best and most up to date information and medical advice whilst also offering support throughout the process.

I sadly never met Jo, but early in 2000 aged 7, I met Jamie, Tom, Lucy and Ali when the Maxwell family bought our house. I instantly became best friends with Ali after we were left to play FIFA World Cup 98 (Cook Islands vs Argentina).

20 years on, not much has changed…

Thankfully, plenty has changed in the last 20 years through the work of Jo’s Trust: support, information and guidance are readily available for anybody that needs it. In November last year, Human papillomavirus (HPV) primary screening was introduced meaning that smear tests are able to identify those who may be at risk of developing cervical cell changes or cervical cancer, this is a huge breakthrough.

However, this incredible progress is not being matched. Cervical Cancer is the most common form of cancer in women under the age of 35 BUT Cervical screening rates are at their lowest since records began with over ¼ of women failing to attend their tests.

I very much appreciate that this is yet another marathon page asking for a donation, but I hope you have learned something even if you do not donate. I urge you to ask a loved one, be it a sister, mother, girlfriend, wife, fiancée or friend and ask them if they are up to 'up-to-date' with their smear test, it could save their life.

For more information, please visit: www.jostrust.org.uk

Ollie and Sophie are both raising money for Pancreatic Cancer UK.
The bravery that Camilla Hext has, and continues to show, is nothing short of incredible and I urge anyone to support her, Ollie and Sophie here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-hexts?fbclid=IwAR2JRJk3KovyZX2GyJvI1lYe-5KPQFFQVqHV8AQLeLwSXi1lKFV74TmYgv0