Anyone who knows me will be well aware of how devastating I found it to lose my mam in my early thirties. Right before I found out I was going to be a mam myself.

One of the hardest things to cope with is the knowledge that had she been more in the know, and been to see someone earlier she could still be here now. Breast cancer and skin cancer combined robbed my beautiful girl of her nanna. She would have adored her. And vice versa.

My mam was probably one of the kindest people you could ever meet. She was always there, encouraging me and cheering me on in life, even when I mucked things up. She gave great advice (even if you didn’t want it) and
she loved to shop, stopping off for coffee and cake of course. Our Saturday afternoons were legendary. I miss her immensely.

I found comfort and friendship in a lovely lady when I returned to work after maternity leave, who became like a mother figure to me in many ways. Mandy O'Rourke. This amazing and inspirational lady had fought and beaten breast cancer and I was absolutely in awe of her. She made me laugh so much with her ability to just tell it how it is, and would often be the one to say what everyone else was thinking. Not in a nasty way, just very much upfront with people. She had such a lovely nature she could get away with saying anything anyway. 

Mandy helped me to decide on this charity when I was looking to sign up for the great north run. She has always been very supportive of my running efforts, and I know she will be there cheering me on. Sadly this horrible disease had returned and the world has lost a diamond. I will miss her every single day. I am honoured that her family have allowed me to share her story as part of my fundraising. 

There are so many deserving causes around and I try to do something for a different one each year. This year is a particularly personal challenge for me, I've never run any where near this distance but if people can beat cancer, I can haul my hefty backside around this route. Breast cancer care is a fantastic charity helping people to understand and deal with their diagnosis and beyond. The more help people get, the more chance we have of reducing the amount of babas that lose their grandparents or parents, or anyone losing anyone to this horrible disease. Please donate - every pound helps towards this amazing cause. Plus every donation will spur me on in my training too! let's do this!!!

❤❤❤ RIP Mama & Mandy ❤❤❤

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