This is my dear friend Nic at her hen do. Seven months after this photo was taken, she lost her hard-fought battle against cancer. She was 26. Her courage, determination and cheeky smile, despite what her body was putting her through, was an inspiration to many.

I am taking on the challenge of running 26.2 miles in her honour and to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, a centre for groundbreaking research and a place where Nic received treatment and care from a wonderful team.

My challenge is nothing like the one she faced, but it's my own little way of sticking up two fingers at this horrible disease that took away my friend. Thank you for your donation, every penny counts in the fight against cancer.