I am running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in memory of Neive Warwick, my niece’s best friend and a beautiful, bright little girl who left this world far too soon. Neive brought so much joy and laughter into Ada’s life; I’m running to honour her memory while supporting my sister and niece, who carry her with them every day.

Neive and my niece became inseparable friends at nursery, later moving into reception together at school in Leamington. They shared so much joy, laughter, and mischief - truly two kindred spirits.

When the girls returned to school in Year 1, Neive wasn’t herself. After many appointments and delays, she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma - a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma on her brain. Neive endured more than a year of gruelling chemotherapy and Proton therapy, facing it all with amazing courage. She was able to enjoy some remission and precious time with her family, and time back at school with Ada by her side.

Tragically, Neive’s cancer returned aggressively, and in October 2023, she passed away – 90 years too soon.

As a mum myself, I know just how precious children are, and how fiercely we hold onto their laughter, milestones, and dreams for the future. To see a child’s life cut short in this way is unthinkable, and yet it happens too often. Childhood cancer is not rare – but it is underfunded, underresearched, and devastating.

Through Alice’s Arc and Neive’s Arc, Neive’s incredible mum, Sarah, has found the strength to continue advocating and fundraising in her daughter’s honour. She inspires every day with her determination to fight for other children so that one day, others may not have to endure what Neive did.

Please support me as I run in Neive’s memory, to stand alongside my sister and niece, and to raise vital funds for research into rhabdomyosarcoma. Together, we can help bring hope, and work towards a future where no family has to suffer this loss.

💖✨💖✨💖✨💖✨💖✨💖✨💖✨💖✨💖

Alice’s Arc was inspired by Alice's journey with cancer. She was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma at age 3 in March 2015. She had 20 months of chemotherapy at GOSH, UK and proton radiation in the US. Alice spent a year cancer free but it returned in February 2018. She underwent 6 months of chemotherapy and a procedure known as AMORE in Amsterdam involving surgery and brachytherapy. Alice spent another year clear before tumours were found in her abdomen and pelvis in July 2019. There were no options left. Alice died, aged 7, in October 2019.