GNR for WCDS

Those that know me will know that I am quite a private person, so writing this didn’t come easy but it’s for all the right reasons and certainly not sympathy.

Vicky Miles, Alex Gatehouse and myself are running this years Great North Run for WCDS (Women’s Cancer Detection Society)……my 1st GNR, Vicky’s 5th and Alex's 15th!

Back in the Summer of 2019 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, as I embarked on my treatment with the most amazing team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead and Freeman Hospital it was apparent that the great work of the WCDS contributed massively to my surgery, treatment and the options available to me.

I vividly recall in the early days sat in the waiting room reading all the information and telling myself that if all came good in the end I would raise money for this amazing cause. The final part of my treatment was 6 weeks of daily radiotherapy which I finished just before we went into lockdown and have had the support of my family, friends (you know who you are) and work family over the last couple of years and continue to do so on this journey.

My two boys have been fantastic and took everything in their stride, even enduring a number of early morning radiotherapy visits and they continue to be my tower of strength and give me purpose.

So when Kathryn@WCDS posted about GNR places I reminded myself of the promise I made and messaged her straight away. Vic and Alex as always were right there with me in jumping at the chance to run for this great cause (well... Vic took a little convincing to do it again).

As someone who has never ran, the thought is so daunting and I still feel a million miles away from being able to do this but this is something that I made a promise to do and ‘give back’ and admittedly am finding it helps my mental health. Both Vic and Alex have continued to drive and support me with training as well as motivating themselves and I wouldn't have been able to do this without them.

So here we are, a reminder that cancer touches everyone, however, with the love and support of those around you and the great work of Charities like WCDS anything is possible….here’s to all the Warriors.

We would be grateful for any sponsorship and of course anyone who wants to come along and cheer us on. I will be the one being dragged along by Vicky Miles and Alex Gatehouse but fighting pants pulled up once again, lets do this!