Yes, I'm doing ANOTHER marathon!

I know you're probably fed up of me asking for money but this one is a little bit different.

Why breast cancer you may ask, when I lost my husband Craig to bowel cancer? Well, I've raised money for Cancer Research UK and CANtreat Halton in Craig's memory more recently. But with Breast Cancer Now I am returning to a previously supported charity ... and there is a reason.

My good friend John Wilkinson is running the 2026 London Marathon to raise money for Breast Cancer Now in memory of his wife, Mandy, who he lost to breast cancer in 2021.

He's a little bit daunted by the total he has to raise so, since I somehow managed to secure a ballot place, I've offered to help him. I've set my individual target relatively low so that I can put some extra effort into helping him achieve his £2,500 target (although I'm confident he'll get more).

John ran his first marathon in Manchester in 2025 but was too nervous to fundraise then in case he didn't complete. Now he knows he can run 26.2 miles he wants to do it all over again, but this time do some good and honour Mandy.

Choosing to help Breast Cancer Now isn't difficult for me. Back in 2010, I lost one of my best friends, Maureen, to breast cancer. Some of you will recall that I took part in the London Marathon in 2011 in her memory and raised over £5,000 for Breast Cancer Campaign.

In 2015, Breast Cancer Campaign united with Breakthrough Breast Cancer to form Breast Cancer Now, so I am essentially running for the same charity that I have whole-heartedly supported before. It's also the same charity that the Maureen King Pink Ball, in Widnes, raised more than £100,000 for over 11 years from 2008 to 2019.

To this day I miss my friend Maureen enormously. She was one of the kindest, funniest, bravest and most selfless people you could hope to have as a friend. I didn't know John's wife personally but, from everything I've heard, Mandy shared that same spirit.

This marathon will be for both of them ... and for everyone who's lost their life to breast cancer, is living with breast cancer, or has survived breast cancer; as well as for those like John and I, who have lost someone to breast cancer, or those who are supporting someone now.

Over 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK alone. And 1,000 people still die from the disease every month. Breast Cancer Now is dedicated both to supporting those who have the disease and driving breakthroughs in prevention, detection, and treatment.

Finally, donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.