If I could tell my Mum I was running the London marathon, she'd say I was mad!

Mum wasn't really into endurance sports. Instead my Mum, Ellen, loved a social game of tennis, seven days a week if she could, come rain or shine and with or without undergoing tough chemotherapy - She endured in other ways. Ellen was super energetic, always racing after and playing with her grandchildren too. Nothing could stop her and she made the most of her life, right to the very end.

Ellen was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer for the second time in her life in June 2014. This time, it took a month for the various doctors to work out that the big lump growing in her tummy was a sarcoma. Once diagnosed, she was given a 12-18mth terminal prognosis.

Ellen carried on as normal, enjoying every precious moment, still just as energetic and always with a smile. Ellen didn't need to run a marathon because she battled and fought her own race for life, twice in a lifetime. 

Sadly Ellen's time was cut short and just seven months after diagnosis, she contracted sepsis from aggressive chemotherapy and passed away on 7th January 2015.

I've always wanted to run a marathon, particularly the London one and I'm proud that it now provides me with the opportunity to fundraise for Sarcoma UK, to help raise awareness of this type of cancer (which I'd never heard of before) and to contribute to the funding of ground-breaking research.

My Mum Ellen inspires me everyday, I hope that I can face this challenge with her same positive outlook and with that big smile I fondly remember.

I'll be running my first ever half marathon in Brentwood in March 2017, followed by my first ever full marathon in April 2017.

Thank you for all your support! xxx