In 2011 Angela Sturgeon was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. She tirelessly raised over £42,000 for cancer-related charities, until her untimely death. She loved spending precious time away with family and friends where she could feel normal again and build lasting memories. She wanted to help others in a similar situation so she set up the A Bit of a Break charity.

A Bit of a Break is a portfolio of unfilled time in self-catering cottages to offer to families receiving palliative care. The charity’s aim is to continue to increase the number of stays so that they can open-up the chance of a short break to growing numbers of people. It is inspired by Angela Sturgeon.

I have learnt about A Bit of a Break since meeting Angela’s daughter Emily. We are team mates at Manchester Moss Park Hockey Club. Emily or ‘Sturge’ is a remarkable young woman who has spoken passionately about her late mum’s work. On October the 12th 2025, I will be running the London Royal Parks Half Marathon and I am running to support this admirable charity and one to which I feel a connection.