I’m running a half marathon this July for a cause that means so much to me.

Cancer has touched both my life and the life of someone I love deeply. I lost my great gran to cancer — she was such a strong, kind woman who meant the world to our family. Watching her go through it and saying goodbye is something that has stayed with me ever since.

I feel so incredibly lucky to have had 14 whole years with my great gran.

Not everyone gets that kind of time with someone so special, and it’s something I’ll always be grateful for. She was such a big part of my life growing up — full of love, warmth, and little moments that I’ll carry with me forever.

Those 14 years are memories I’ll always hold close. They remind me just how special she was, and how lucky I was to call her mine.

My grandad has had to experience an incredible amount of loss, losing two of his brothers to this disease. I can’t imagine the strength it takes to go through that, and it’s something that really stays with me.

It’s another reason why this means so much. This isn’t just a challenge for me — it’s for my family, for their stories, and for everyone who has had to face the impact of cancer

My boyfriend and his family have also experienced that same heartbreak, losing his gran to cancer too. It’s something we both carry with us, and it’s one of the reasons this challenge feels so personal.

So every mile I run is for them — and for everyone affected by this disease. I’m raising money for cancer research in the hope that one day, fewer families will have to go through this kind of loss.

If you’re able to support, donate, or even just share this, it would mean so much. Thank you