20 years ago, my mother Julia ran the 2006 London Marathon as part of a BBC 1 documentary called 'Run for Glory', having recently overcome stage 3 breast cancer, which was diagnosed in 2003. She fell £452 short of her £5,000 fundraising goal for her chosen charity, the Bob Champion Cancer Trust.The battle was however far from won. Shortly after, the cancer returned, becoming ever present during mine and my sister's childhoods.

15 years ago, my mother lost her brave battle with cancer, passing away at home as a result of breast and liver cancer. I was aged 13, and my sister Charlotte just 10 years old. To this day it remains the single most traumatic experience of my life, and something that continues to shape my life and character. She very sadly was never able to see me grow up, graduate university or get my first job, nor will she be at my wedding or meet my children in future years.

This year, on the 20th anniversary of her London Marathon run, and the 15th anniversary of her death, I will be running the London Marathon. I have set my fund-raising goal to at least £5,452. £5,000 to match my mothers’s target, and £452 to get her total up to her target.

My inspiration, a note written by my mother in her final weeks (see below), and one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sport.

The jockey, Bob Champion, who had only recently overcome testicular cancer, but had always been brave, with nerves of steel. And the horse, Aldaniti, a true steeplechaser, who vets had advised to put down after a series of chronic tendon injuries, but who never lost his ability to jump like a stag and stay all day. Together the pair overcame the adversity they faced, combining to win the 1981 Grand National at Aintree in style.

Throughout her battle, Bob Champion was an inspiration and a rock. I have attached an extract from my mother's 2006 JustGiving page below which highlights her story and the personal role Bob played in her fight.

Each year, thousands of children in the UK lose a parent to cancer, despite the efforts of research to improve cancer care and survival rates. I speak first hand when I say that no young child should have to watch a truly awful disease deteriorate their parent, nor should they have to attend the resulting funeral. And, whilst no amount of research will be able to reshape the events of my life, this is my effort to make a difference to another family’s story.

With all of this in mind, I would greatly appreciate any contribution you can make towards me meeting (and hopefully beating) my fundraising goal. Despite not being much of an endurance athlete, I promise to put every ounce of effort and sinew I posses into completing the marathon.

My mothers story in her own words (2006):

'I was diagnosed 3 years ago with Grade III breast cancer with lymph node involvement and thought that my life was over. I could not function, it was such a shock to be told "you have CANCER". I have two small children and I was worried if I died who would be their "Mummy".

I underwent a mastectomy with axillary node dissection followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and breast reconstruction.

My family were very supportive but I felt very alone with sleepless nights and wanted to wake up from the bad dream and for everything to be okay. My sister, Jane telephoned the Bob Champion Cancer Trust office and asked if Bob could call me to say "you can get through this"...

I was sat at home looking at the television but not absorbing the programme when the telephone rang and this voice said "can I speak to Julia", I said yes thats me and the voice said "Hi Its Bob Champion", I broke down in floods of tears as I could not believe that he had made the effort to call me, as he did not know me from a bar of soap. He did this off of his own back with no gain or publicity. The call meant so much to me as I can remember the day he won the National on the brave Aldaniti and he has always been a hero of mine.

He was fantastic on the phone and he made me realise that life is for living, I had so much going for me and not to let the cancer beat me. I even managed to ride my horse "Readimix" after my chemo sessions. That one phone call changed my life and I am still here to tell the tale 3 years later. Thank you Bob. All cancer is cancer.'