Just before Christmas I received the email to say that I had gained a place in the Macmillan Charity Race. After feeling very privileged to have achieved this I am now not sure if I feel nervous, excited or slightly over whelmed by the whole event already!

Macmillan are such a wonderful charity and help so many individuals in their darkest of hours. Although I have not experienced the loss of someone very close to me through cancer I do know what it feels like to lose someone in a split second. In October 2011 I lost my wonderful Dad which changed my families life forever. I have the very best memories of him but would have loved for him to still be here to enjoy his grandchildren.

Along with my fellow riders whose stories have also inspired me we are all stepping outside of our comfort zone to ride in the race and are looking forward to the challenge ahead. But our main aim is to raise as much money as possible for this wonderful charity to try and fund as many nurses to support patients and their loved ones.

Macmillan Charity Raceday is a fundraising collaboration between York Racecourse and Macmillan Cancer Support. The day of professional racing and fundraising has been held annually since 1971, raising more than £7 million in total for Macmillan and other charitable causes. For the last two years has raised a grand total of £500,000. This year, we hope to raise even more as the demand for our services continues to grow.