“It is an awful thing as a mother to lose your child so early and not be able to do anything to take away her pain.”

It was 2006 when I lost my daughter Shannon, aged just 8-years old, to cancer. At that time when my daughter was first diagnosed there was no actual protocol for treatment or cure for the disease, and as bravely as Shannon fought, we weren’t able to help save her and sadly she lost her battle against cancer. It is an awful thing as a mother to lose your child so early and not be able to do anything to take away her pain.

She is in our thoughts every day, and so when I saw Cancer Research UK London Winter Run entries had opened, I entered with the thought that whilst I can’t do anything for Shannon anymore, this helps me to keep her memory alive whilst helping others who are also going through something similar. I was also inspired by my son who ran the London Marathon in October 2021 in memory of his sister – however I am still quite new to running! I would describe myself as more of a fast walker… once I get going though I really enjoy it and it gives me a boost.

I am going to be fundraising for Cancer Research UK as whilst there might not have been a cure for Shannon, the fantastic work of Cancer Research UK has meant that more children than ever now beat this awful disease. If I can help spare other families from going through what my family has by raising a few pounds towards vital research, then that is the most I could hope for.