My dear friend, Emily Baker-Abis, started me on my ultrarunning journey 9 years ago by persuading me to run 100km of the South Downs Way with her. She was a hilarious, kind and loving person who had time for everyone, but was also entirely devoted to her wife, Amoret and their young son, Jesse.

In January 2025 she was diagnosed, and on 17th June she died from two synchronous primary cancers - ovarian and endometrial (womb). There aren't enough words to describe the impact of her loss on so many people, but most of all Amoret and Jesse.

There are no effective screening methods to detect either of these cancers at an early stage when they are notoriously asymptomatic. Emily's late diagnosis meant that her cancers had progressed and were incurable.

So that's why I'm running 100km round the Peak District to raise money for the Eve Appeal. In the UK, gynaecological cancers receive just 5% of cancer research funding. The Eve Appeal are the leading gynaecological cancers charity. They are committed to funding life-saving research and partner with leading researchers and universities in the UK, and beyond, who share their ambition of a world where all gynaecological cancers are prevented or detected at an early stage.

Anything you can spare that has a chance of preventing the loss of someone like Emily in the future would be amazing.

Thanks

Drew xx