Starting in January 2020 I have set myself the challenge the run 10 half marathons in 10 months.  Many of you will know I like sport and I like to run. It seemed only right to use this passion as a means to help others and raise money for a great charity.  But I felt like it needed to be a challenge, I am asking people to donate what they can and it seems only right that I work hard for your pennies.

But why The Christie, when I work in the NHS in Leeds it might seem like an odd choice.  When I was 18 my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Mum underwent major surgery at The Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan and then chemotherapy at The Christie.  My mums treatment began with surgery in the January and mum finished chemotherapy ten months later, hence the reason for my ten month challenge.  Although this wasn't the end of mum's treatment it was the first stage completed.

During mum's treatment we all became regular visitors to The Christie and the care mum received and the support staff gave to mum and the wider family was invaluable. 

The Christie not only provides direct patient care but is also a key player in the bigger fight against cancer.  I too have been supported by the teams at the Christie, at the age of 28 I discovered I had the BRCA1 gene and at the age of 29 underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction to reduce my own risk of breast cancer.  It wasn't an easy time, and the recovery was hard but I count myself lucky.  Research has meant that I had a chance to reduce my own risk, research gave me a choice.  I see research as key to helping people survive this disease longer but also to look for solutions in the prevention and treatment of genetic cancers. 

As we live longer more of us will be affected by this disease, and I hope my small challenge will go someway to helping my family, friends and local community to have access to care that they one day might need.

The half marathons I will be aiming to complete are

Number 1 - January 12th: Temple Newsome Ten: this is usually a ten mile trail race but thanks to the support of my local running club (Bramley Breezers) I will be running this as a half marathon 

Number 2 - February 9th: Harewood House trail half marathon 

Number 3 - March 15th: Wilmslow 

Number 4 - March 29th: London Landmarks  

Number 5 - May 10th: Leeds

Number 6 - June 28th: Southport 

Number 7 - July 12th: Ilkley

Number 8 - August : TBC

Number 9 - September 13th: Great North Run

Number 10 - October 11th: Manchester 

I will post evidence of all runs here so you can follow my challenge.  If you fancy joining me on a run, cheering me along or holding my bags at an event it would be lovely to see you. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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