Back in February 2024, I lost my amazing mum and best friend, Kay, as she was known to her many friends and family, who lost a five year battle to secondary breast cancer.  Mum was our shining star, a beloved friend, and admired by those around her.

We shared with many happy times, making endless memories along the way, filled with lots of fun and laughter. Her friends often describe her as adventurous, fun, the life and soul of the party and so very special.  Truly the strongest, caring and charismatic woman I was fortunate to call my mum, my rock.

Throughout my childhood, mum never failed to support me in anything I wanted to do especially my passion with football as she, herself loved the sport. Although, tension ran high in the Carpenter household when Liverpool played West Ham. As some of you may know there is always one person who shouted the loudest, this was my mum and embarrassing as it was, I absolutely loved her enthusiasm, which has contributed to making me the young woman I am today. 

Mum was an inspiration to many who lived life to the full, and selflessly never hesitated to put others first even during her illness.

 So to honour mum’s legacy, I am embarking on the Royal Parks Half Marathon to inspire those around me and fulfilling mum’s wish being the young woman she would be proud to call her daughter.

CoppaFeel! are the UK’s only youth focused breast cancer awareness charity, and we’re on a mission to get every 18-24 year old checking their chest.

We educate people on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and encourage them to check their chests regularly, so that if they notice something unusual they are empowered to contact their GP and advocate for themselves. We do this because when diagnosed early and accurately, breast cancer treatments are more effective and survival rates are higher. Early detection truly can save lives.