Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, I’m trying to raise as much money as i possibly can for Cancer Research.

I sit writing this feeling physically sick at the realisation of what I have just signed up for! I don’t like walking and I’m quite scared of insects, let alone my fitness levels are not what they used to be!

Truth be told, I am not doing this as a bucket list item for myself, I’m doing it as a bucket list item for my best friend as she never got to complete it herself. I immediately promised her that I would do it on her behalf… and here we are 2 years later feeling rather silly for agreeing!

My dearest friend Katherine Proctor passed away in July 2022 to cancer and a few weeks before we had been talking about the best things we had done and what she hadn't managed to achieve before she died... and now is my time to show her how much her life meant to me and so many others.

Kat and I met at a work conference as the only two ‘Geordie's’ in the room, we became best friends over night and I was lucky to be able to spend 9 great years with her.

I have never met someone with such ambition and drive but with an innate way of pushing for fairness and equity.

She always fought and always won, until the very end. Her laugh and cheekiness were contagious and she always lit up a room, she truly was one of a kind.

Her Kennedy’s family supported her throughout her treatment and a special mention will always go out to Suzanne Liversidge - an inspiring Leader even in such tragic circumstances. Kat loved work and she respected you so much, thank you for making the journey as easy as it could be.

To Margaret, Tom and Helen, I am so sorry for your loss. Kat inspired me to be bold and be myself, I miss her everyday.

Kat was so smart, kind and caring but for me, she had such fight… Kat, you asked me to do this so this one’s for you!