Running has never been easy for me, but I feel grateful every single day that I can run. I am slow, it is hard and it is usually virtually impossible to find time. But I am healthy and I can run - and therefore I must.

Another non negotiable is raising money for an incredible charity that supports a cancer that kills more under 40's than any other cancer and one that only has 1% of national cancer funding dedicated to it. That last fact continues to baffle us ... but as a family blighted with brain cancer it is our mission always to do our bit.

We have lost too many loved ones to brain tumours but we also are grateful that we have family and friends who have survived after gruelling treatments. One very special family friend Gary Messenger continues to fight against this horrid cancer - with his usual fortitude, dignity and selflessness. We are extremely thankful that he continues to survive brain cancer - his treatment and observation will continue for life.

Joshua Coppellotti and Maisie Stone - both diagnosed with brain tumours as toddlers - now both wonderful happy and healthy young adults - these are the stories that keep us going of course.

However we have lost and lost hard - Richard and Michael Jeffery - brothers and both lost their lives so young (25 and 50) after battles as brutal and horrifying as they can be - my precious Sister in law Tracey nursing both her brothers to the end and our family determined to help in any small way to prevent any other families going through the same unfathomable loss. 

And to prove how common this awful disease is, I dedicate this run in memory of Richard, Michael and Sally's Dad, in honour of those friends still fighting, Gary and Connor's Dad, Andy. And of course in endless gratitude to those incredible teams who treated young Joshua and Miss Maisie. 

It has been the hardest training I have ever done due to the intense heat, but also general fatigue and being really busy with work and also working through our Mam's probate and estate after we lost her also to cancer last year. But I have had immense support and encouragement and if the above is not reason enough itself to put the running shoes on and get on with 'the job in hand' ...then nothing else will be.  I know the run will be tough and emotional but I also know that thinking of all of those who continue to battle through will get me over the finish line.  

The harshness of brain cancer ...

• Too many people are being faced with the devastating diagnosis each year – every two hours, someone is diagnosed with a brain tumour in England
• In the UK, 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour
• Only 12% of brain tumour patients survive beyond five years of their diagnosis, whereas over 70% of breast cancer and over 40% of leukaemia patients survive beyond five years
• Brain tumours are the chief cause of cancer deaths in children and young people - in 2015, the number of children dying from cancer was 194, with brain tumours taking 67 young lives and leukaemia 46
• Brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer

I am so impressed with the charity Brain Tumour Research and it's team and all they do - it is a privilege to support them. So I will run my half marathon with a warm heart and do my bit, it is fully self funded and my place is fully paid for. If you could be so kind to sponsor me, we can all be proud together that we are helping our families and friends and all others who are, and will continue to be, blighted with brain cancer. 

THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART

Keep well 

Linda xxx

The admin bit:

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.