On 23rd April 2017, I will be running the London Marathon. It's a tough, daunting challenge to take on; here’s why I’m running.

I am running to honour the memory of my wonderful aunt, Dr. Francesca Humphreys (nee Darvell) who passed away on 21st October 2016. Francesca leaves her husband Martin, and children Imogen, Saskia, and Jack and was taken by breast cancer. Francesca was first diagnosed in 2007, and despite extensive treatment, and enduring much chemotherapy, she died just a few months ago. This disease may have impacted you, someone you know or your own family.

Her grace, her courage in the face of this disease was nothing short of remarkable and an inspiration to us all. I signed up to the London Marathon motivated by her. What better way to honour her memory than by doing something I would never have done were it not for her? I am training now and will run those 26 miles on Sunday 23 April 2017 to show her just how proud of her we all are, and also, most importantly, to tell her that we love her and miss her.

On what turned out to be the last time I saw Francesca, I went to visit her at the Severn Hospice in Shrewsbury. We discussed the London Marathon and how I had found out the day before that I had secured a place. I asked her to decide which charity I would run for as she was the reason I was doing it in the first place. Severn Hospice was her choice, the very hospice she worked at during her time as a GP, and in whose care she spent her final days.

I hope to raise money for the charity that cared for my aunt. Severn Hospice's purpose is simple; to provide the best care possible for those living with incurable illness. They exist to care for someone at the end of their life and to provide support and comfort to those who surround them. Francesca viewed herself as fortunate to be in its care, but it has limited resources. As this is a small charity, any donation will make an enormous difference. 88p from every £1 donated goes straight into funding its services, one that has cared for approximately 27,000 people in Shropshire and mid-Wales since they first opened in 1989.

So that's it. My reasons to run a long way. I run to honour the memory of a remarkable woman, and to raise what I can for the charity that helped care for her. Please, anything you can give, no matter how small, will go a long way for someone else and their family.

Thank you

More details on Severn Hospice can be found here: https://www.severnhospice.org.uk