Not often photographed in the old Lycras - but I’m going to be running the Shoreditch Half Marathon on 20th September - almost one year to the day that our son Otis was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer.

It’s been a tough and humbling year and we’ve met some incredible people along the way. From diagnosis through treatment, the speed of the NHS was unbelievable. The first three weeks were spent bouncing about between the Royal London and Great Ormond Street in a blur of general anaesthetics, MRI scans and talks with specialists to determine the best route of treatment. This was followed by surgery to remove his left eye.  He now has a prosthetic eye known as his ‘special eye’. He’s been so brave and has taken so much of it in his stride - I know im biased … but I think he’s a pretty cool guy. And amazingly, he’s now cancer free.

We have been so incredibly fortunate, for many of our friends it has not been this straightforward.  And for anyone reading this now who is going through a terrible time, I send you my hugest love.

I’m running this half marathon in support of the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust.  CHECT are the only UK charity dedicated to helping families affected by Retinoblastoma - they do brilliant work helping to raise awareness so that healthcare professionals and parents are more likely to spot the symptoms. In our case a slight squint and then a white glow in his left pupil.  Only 50-60 children in the UK are affected by it each year and so it’s not something you see every day.  They also raise vital funds to help with research, and to support each and every family that is affected by retinoblastoma.

I’d be so grateful for any support. Thank you so much xx