First of all, thank you. Thank you for showing interest in my fund raiser for a superb charity, one that I hold a special place in my heart. As a huge portion of you know, I am an extremely private person and I find it hard to show any vulnerability so please bear with me. Here it goes… back when I was 12 years old (Year 8 in secondary school) I kept getting severe headaches and something that I could only describe as a lock jaw. After a Christmas of going through stringent tests I finally had a biopsy. The results concluded that, I had a bone eating Cancer which I had to undergo numerous operations and Chemotherapy. The minute I found out the news I don’t think it registered because of my reaction. I remember saying to my mum ‘oh well’, ‘it’s fine, I’ll get through this’. During my next consultation I was told what the next 18 months would look like and it was going to be tough as the Chemo would wipe out my immune system. Before I started my first round of Chemotherapy I was taken on a holiday of a lifetime where I went to Florida as it could have been my last (I never saw it like that, so I had the best time ever!) Onto the treatment… As I mentioned above, my length of treatment was supposed to be for 18 months, ( I kicked it to the curb and finished my treatment in 6 months). During this time I spent numerous hospital visits and I was exposed to a lot of people who were told they were not going to make it. I had a connection with these people and I will remember them for the rest of my life. The courage that they showed regardless of their situation is something that I still remind myself off on a regular basis. I am the only lucky one to have got through this and I am so grateful. I don’t tell anyone my story because I don’t want any sympathy because I am still living and breathing. Also my battle was nothing compared to the people I met along the way. Every breathe of fresh air daily is a huge blessing and I cherish living in the moment. Of course none of this would have been possible without a fantastic support network. My family helped me through the toughest times and will continue to do so. I owe everything to them and this is why I wanted to share my story. Finally, Great Ormond Street Hospital played an instrumental part in mending me to a full recovery. I want to give back not only to the charity but I am also running this marathon in honour of the fantastic people I met along my journey that I hold a special place in my heart for. I would love the support to achieve my goal. Keep smiling :)