I am running the Bristol Half Marathon to raise funds in memory of my dear friend Sophie who died last year at a young age from ovarian cancer.

Sophie played hockey in Bristol for Redland Ladies and a mixed hockey team that had loads of fun playing in fancy dress at tournaments in the UK and Europe. We may not have been the most skillful side but we did win prizes for being the most sociable!

Sophie gave up a successful career in business to study at university, first for an MBA and then a PhD. Sadly she died just a few days before she would have been awarded her doctorate.

She was extremely warm and kind, always had a smile on her face and had great enthusiasm for everything she took part in. She was a lovely person.

We celebrated her life earlier this year with a fancy dress hockey match that raised the first £500 and now the idea is to raise even more money for Macmillan Nurses.