To put it into as few words as possible, I have made the rather irrational decision to take part in the Great North Run 2021. For those that aren’t familiar, this is a HALF MARATHON and will be the first run/race I have ever taken part in (aside from school cross country many moons ago).

My motivation – My beautiful Mummy!  In March 2020 my world came tumbling down when my family had its first ever experience of the big C word! Stage 4 Ovarian cancer was her diagnosis and the statistics did not make for good reading. I couldn’t believe it, she was absolutely FINE despite a minor pain in her side and being slightly short of breath, which we now know was down to a pleural effusion where the cancer had spread to her lungs and as a result filled it 75% full with fluid.  

Since that dreaded day over a year ago my mum has, quite simply, climbed never-ending mountains with ever moving summits  To add insult to injury, Covid 19 meant she had to battle so much of this physically alone, with no one by her side. In spite of experiencing the darkest of days; severe reactions to chemotherapy, major surgery, regular blood transfusions, countless hospital visits and days on end feeling more unwell than one can understand, she continued to fight and still is fighting. She has done this, in no uncertain terms, for her family. Her husband, daughters, son-in-law’s and grandchildren who, despite witnessing her absolute hell and depths that no one should ever reach, asked more of her than before, to just keep going. The thought of her not being around was/is too impossible to comprehend.

I am fully aware that this race isn’t the greatest distance in the world and is the merest drop in the ocean in comparison to the battle that my incredible Mummy has fought. However, I can assure you that it will certainly be big challenge for me and one I want to absolute SMASH, in order to make her even the tiniest part as proud of me as I am of her.

It goes without saying that I have chosen to run this race on behalf of Ovarian Cancer Action, please please donate anything you can to help me raise as much money as possible to this wonderful charity and help put a stop to this devastating disease.