At the end of May, I'm running the Edinburgh Half Marathon in memory of my Aunt Ann who passed away from cholangiocarcinoma or liver cancer in September 2012. I'm running in her memory not just because I miss her a great deal, but because any money raised will go to support the work of Macmillan Cancer. Macmillan directly, financially support those diagnosed with cancer, their families, communities and carers and knowing that anything I raise will go directly to families like mine in covering basic expenses - to their own discretion - is inspiring. Macmillan make the terrifying, isolating diagnosis just a little easier. My Aunt Ann was a gym teacher, so running in her memory is apropos. She'd be delighted to hear I've worked up way up to the Half!

A little more about Macmillan, in their own words:

They are "a source of support, helping with all the things that people affected by cancer want and need. It's not only patients who live with cancer, we also help carers, families and communities. We guide people through the system, supporting them every step of the way. We fund nurses and other specialist health care professionals and build cancer care centres. But we give so much more than medical help.

People need practical support at home, so we provide anything from some precious time off for a carer, to a lift to hospital. People need emotional support, so we listen, advise and share information through our cancer support specialists, website and trained professionals. People need financial help to cope with the extra costs cancer can bring, so we give benefits advice, and grants for anything from heating bills to travel costs. Together we listen, we learn, we act to help people live with cancer"

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

Thank you for any support - small or sizeable - that you might offer!