JANE BENNETT

I am going to (try!) and run the London Marathon for Breast Cancer Now, inspired by my lifelong friend Louise. 

Cancer has always been in Louise’s family. Her Grandma died of breast cancer in her 40s, then one of her aunts was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer in 2016 and was found to have the BRCA gene mutation which is passed on through families and which dramatically raises the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Louise’s mother and another aunt were tested and found to have the mutation, followed by Louise herself. 

Louise had no symptoms of cancer, but she decided to have a double mastectomy as a preventative measure. A mammogram taken in preparation for the operation showed she already had stage 3 breast cancer. Around the same time, her mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. 

I am competely overwhelmed by Louise’s strength and bravery over the past year, and I want to do everything I can to help fund Breast Cancer Now’s research into the BRCA gene mutation and their work to introduce a screening programme for 35–39 year olds with an increased risk of cancer. Their ambition is that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live.

 

GLENN SHIELLS

On Sunday 22nd April I will be running (or attempting to run) the London Marathon… Yes… a marathon! Yes… 26.2 miles! No… I’m not prepared for it, which is possibly more reason to dig deep! It will be my first and no doubt my last. 

I have chosen to raise funds for ‘Sands’ (Stillbirth and neonatal death charity) which is a charity close to myself and my wife Molly, following the loss of our daughter Lily in 2014. Any donations, however small, will be gratefully received. Many thanks in advance.

 

CONNOR WHELAN

I am no athlete, but I’m running to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK. 

The day of the marathon, 22 April 2018, will be the 10th anniversary (to the day!) of my Grandfather losing his battle to cancer. So what better way to mark the occasion by running/hobbling 26.2 miles across the capital, with sore feet and a dodgy knee.

In the UK, cancer survival has more than doubled in the past 40 years, but there is still plenty more to be done. Cancer sadly affects so many families and I’d really love to do my bit to help make a difference. 

 

JAMES WOOLLETT

I am doing this not because I love running, frankly I find it a struggle and I am certainly not built for long distance running, but because I made a decision a little while ago that I needed to do things that made an impact, things that in the future my sons would be proud of, things that guide them in how important it is to help others and how you should look to push yourself.

However, I wouldn’t do this for any old charity. Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children and young people who are fighting life-threatening illnesses, bringing a little bit of sunshine back into those lives.

The average wish costs £4000 and they vary from trips to Disney, to having some garden play equipment suitable to their needs. Every single penny that you donate will help make a difference.