I have decided, this year, to join the annual Fun Run in aid of World Cancer Research. However, as I will still be undergoing treatment for breast cancer, running even the meagre distance of 3km may be a tough ask. Since, therefore, I may end up walking some (or even most) of it, it seems cheeky to ask for sponsorship for something so 'easy'.

I have, therefore, set myself the challenge of spending the day (and race) without my hair (as I have none) or a wig or a hat or a headscarf. If I explain that only my sister and my three children have ever seen my current bald head look, and then only for a very few minutes, I hope you will understand that this will not be easy for me, even at home, let alone when I am out in public or with a large group of colleagues. However, I hope you will view it as a worthy reason for sponsorship.

I feel very committed to the work the World Cancer Research does from a personal point of view as, prior to my diagnosis, I was certainly not aware of all the things one can do to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer.

However, I am sure, like me, you have endless requests for sponsorship and other charitable donations so I understand, entirely, if you do not wish to contribute to this particular request. However, any donation, no matter its size, will be gratefully received.

Having originally set myself what I thought was an ambitious target of £7,500, people have been so generous that it has been exceeded so I have increased the target to £10,000