Dear All,

Early last year my lovely friend Rachel was diagnosed with bowel cancer and sadly Rachel died 6 months later. During her illness she was cared for by our local Hospice St Christopher's and I have decided to run the Brigthon Marathon to raise a bit of cash.

Rachel was one of life's good guys. We meet years ago when I was just out of College and starting my first real job in Fashion,she was the main Designer at Phase Eight and I was just a junior pattern cutter.Totally in awe of everyone around me,Rachel soon took me under her wing.Along with Tracy we soon became firm friends, a friendship which little did I know it was going to see us all through some great times and some pretty tough times. Rachel was a great listener to my many woes,but also every now and then her great sense of humour pointed out how ridiculous I could be,normally several bottles of wine had been drunk at this point and we would be howling with laugther. I hope I gave back her at least a little of what she so effortessly she gave to me,I'm not overly sure I did at times.

Rachel had an amazing creative energy,when ever I popped in to her house on Bellenden Road there was always a project on the go,clothes being fashioned out of scraps of fabric,hats,scarves,dresses being crocheted from random balls of wool,I still have one of her crocheted hats,although I never managed to wear mine with quite the same style Reachel wore hers. Before she became ill she had just started up her own label something she had always wanted to do but somehow never managed to get around to.Her designs were a little different from everything else out there and were begining to gain some loyal followers. Rachel would spend more time listening to her customers life stories than persuading them to buy one of her dresses.

St Christopher's helped Rachel in many other ways than with her medical care during her final months.The Hospice believes in creativity and doesn't believe creative life has to stop because you are ill,providing loads of creative projects and tons more beisdes for those using St Christopher's. It would be really rather wonderful to be able to give a little something to ensure St Christopher's can carry it's amazing work,so if if you are all feeling generous I would love to hear from you.

Thank you for listening and if I haven't been in touch for a while it's because I been busy moaning about my aching feet,and legs and out there running in the worst winter for years. Now the training over I'll be in touch again

Much love

Jo