Thank you for taking the time to stop by! Gratitude goes beyond words for all who are willing to donate or spread the word about my endeavour.

This began as a year of running 10ks and half-marathons, between July 2018 and July 2019, to both mark the anniversary of my mum's death to lung cancer and to raise funds for research into this devastating form of cancer. However, one year has not seemed nearly enough, and I will be continuing this 'running project' until July 31st 2020 which will mark five years. It all stemmed from signing up for one half-marathon, after which I decided to go a step further and sign up for as many 10ks and half-marathons as my body and time would (and will) allow. All will be run in Mum's (Heather's) memory for Lungs for Living.

In 2017 I stumbled across Lungs for Living (supported and fundraised for by UCLH Charitable Foundation) - a project focusing on research into lung cancer and with the initiative to open a centre in London solely focused on researching this form of cancer. I had been searching for projects or charities I could support which genuinely do the ground work in this area - and in all honesty, there were few and far between. I believe that the work Lungs for Living is doing is essential which is why I will be fundraising for it. Lung cancer kills so many people - in fact, it's the leading cancer killer (the stats are utterly baffling) - and is caught so late that very little can be done. Often there is the stigma of smoking/smokers attached to it, yet many people have not smoked at all and many have not smoked in decades. Stigma or not, it needs more attention. You can read more about Lungs for Living here: http://www.lungsforliving.co.uk/about-us/

A note on Mum: many of you will know that my mum was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2014. And a year later she died on 31st July 2015. She was a vibrant and hard-working woman who loved her family and kids (me and my younger brother and step-children and step-grandchildren) beyond words. She adored theatre and literature and the arts, being in nature and exploring the UK and Europe, and swimming and walking. She dedicated her working life to helping others learn - especially those who struggled most. I miss her every single damn day, some days more than others. But there is no day that passes that I've not thought of her. For me she was my soulmate, my guide, my best friend. I live with that chasm every day, as do so many others.

If you're able to donate (anything at all) or help to spread the word thank you so much!!!

With love, Jude xxx

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