This year marks 10 years since we lost our beautiful Melissa Smith.

To honor her memory, I’m taking on a challenge that’s deeply personal: running a half marathon in a 10kg weighted vest to raise funds for the fantastic charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Mel, for anyone the pleasure of knowing her, genuinely lightened up any room that she entered with her smile, wit, and ditsy ways (some could say we were two peas in a pod). Her positivity was contagious.

Mel tragically passed away, at just 15 years old, whilst we were playing football in October 2014 due to an undiagnosed heart condition.

But why the weighted vest?

The vest represents the burden of grief that comes with losing someone so young and unexpectedly.

By pushing myself to take this challenge, I hope to help CRY continue their life saving work, providing screenings, research and support to bereaved families and those at risk of sudden cardiac death.

Every week in the UK at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed cardiac conditions.

Thank you for reading and thank you for helping me turn this anniversary into something that honors Mel in the best possible way x