My brother Ben lost his beloved wife Vicky Johnston after her battle with breast cancer on Easter Saturday, April 4th. She leaves two young daughters, Isobel, 10 and Chloe, 7.

She was a wonderful mother and wife, and a hugely talented doctor. I will always remember her warm and easy laugh and her ever present smile.

Sadly it is not the first time this pitiless scourge has left those closest to me grieving. My wife Sonia had to mourn both her sisters, Sally, 43, and Sue, 66, many years before their time when they were taken by the same disease.

It is for these three much loved women, Vicky, Sally and Sue, and their siblings, partners and six children, that I am running the TCS London Marathon this year.

I am raising funds for a noble cause, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, to help them in their quest to save other families from having to go through the same dreadful experience.

The Marsden is a charity I have supported before on previous marathons. Their world leading research work and care is second to none and I have nothing but respect for the work they are doing.

For various reasons I have not had the chance to train as I would have chosen to this time. So my time will undoubtedly be a “personal worst” by a hefty margin. No matter. If I come in ahead of the sweep up team reopening London’s streets at the back of the field I shall count that as a win.

So please dig deep for the Marsden and the women in your life - and three I have cherished having in mine. Thank you.