I have been struck by the number of close family and friends who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. My sister-in-law Helen who underwent surgery and treatment in 2012 who is thankfully now free of the cancer. Another sister-in-law Pauline (my wife Mary’s sister) who was diagnosed in August 2018 and is currently undergoing treatment.

On Friday 10th May just after midnight my best friend’s wife, Jane Sherwood, our beloved friend, mother of two beautiful children, Tom and Libby passed away as a result of a rare form of breast cancer. Jane was diagnosed was only one year and one month earlier. Nobody expected Jane to go so quickly, let alone pass away at all. She was a strong and determined woman. She always put up a great battle whatever she put her mind to from being the best Cello teacher, lecturer to Ironman finisher. She was also a very loving and unselfish person setting up the Leicester branch of  run movement 5k your Way. I was devastated when Jane passed away so quickly. I felt helpless like everyone else around her

So, I want to do something really positive to help continue the fight against breast cancer by trying to raise a minimum of £1000 for Breast Cancer Now. This will help to raise more funding for the important research needed into finding a cure to all forms of breast cancer. I will be guided (as you may know I am blind) by her husband Chris who has often been by my side during triathlons and running challenges. He is my brother from another mother. Please help us to raise the much needed funding to ensure that more women don’t die from this dreadful disease

Thank you.

Breast Cancer Now's wear it pink day is one of the biggest fundraising events in the UK and is taking place on 18 October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From research to care, our charity has people affected by breast cancer at its heart - providing support for today and hope for the future. The money you raise by taking part in wear it pink will help us to carry out life-saving research, provide life-changing support and campaign effectively for better services and care. We believe that if we all act now, by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live. And your support will help us make it happen.