I have set myself a challenge for the month of November and would love it if you could support me to help me raise funds for my friend Tricia. My challenge is to give up crisps, alcohol, chocolate and other treats for a full month and those who know me well will know that it's going to be tough (I'm sweating just writing this!!). Obviously I could set myself a more exciting and enjoyable challenge such as a marathon, a bike ride or a sponsored swim but that would take too long to train for and we simply don't have time.

So, the reason for my challenge... my friend Tricia Beaumont, who I've know since teacher training in 1997. This wonderful lady, who is mother to three beautiful and smart kids, a caring daughter and a cherished sister, is bravely fighting cancer for the third time and we want to help her explore alternative treatment options abroad and perhaps help provide some financial support for her children, Zach, Alannah and Anyaliese.

Triple negative breast cancer is thankfully very rare but very aggressive and it doesn't respond to regular hormone chemotherapies. Despite this Tricia has fought it twice before and is determined to fight it again so that she can see her children grow up.