In January 2017, our world was turned upside down when our very own Mama Ken was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. At the time we felt completely overwhelmed and relied a lot on the strength and support of others around us to help us come to terms with it. Within this, we were told to contact Ovacome, a charity which specialises in supporting those with Ovarian Cancer. Through this charity, we found an incredible support network of other women and families coping with Ovarian Cancer and communicated with them regularly to share stories and experiences. This gave us all people to relate to and helped us to understand that we were not alone in our struggles. 

Since February, Mama Ken has undergone 6 rounds of chemotherapy, one major operation and countless nights in hospital with various complications. But she's made it through and out the other side and we're all slowly working to get our lives back to normal. 

Throughout our experiences as a family this year, we've been humbled by the support and services on offer to us and realised how fantastic charity support is in a time of need. Therefore, we decided it was time to give something back. 

When it came to deciding what challenge to do, there wasn't really any doubt in my mind that it had to be the London Marathon. Mama Ken has done the London Marathon three times herself (and Papa Ken has done countless marathons!) so it seemed only natural to use this inspiration and challenge myself to join the Kennedy family marathon completion list. Not only that, but after chatting to the older Kennedy sister (Em Ken), she decided that she'd love to join me too. So now the Kennedy sisters are running together and raising money for two fantastic charities. 

Any donation amount that you can afford would mean the world to me and my family. Watch this space for training updates, sweaty selfies and lots of Kennedy family running fun. 

Char Ken