Jude's Great North Run

In a moment of madness I entered the Great North Run ballot...and won a place! It will be my first, and last, half marathon. I've left it pretty late to start fundraising because I honestly wasn't sure that I would be able to run 13.1 miles. But training has been going well and I'm feeling super determined 💪

I'm using this once in a lifetime challenge to raise money for two really special causes to me:

Breast Cancer Now
Earlier this year my amazing friend Claire (Ginge to us!) was diagnosed with breast cancer, just weeks before her 40th birthday. She's put her career as a GP on hold and is undergoing an incredibly gruelling schedule of treatment. She is dealing with it like an absolute champ, all while being a brilliant mummy to her two gorgeous kids. The money raised will help to provide people like Claire with information and support in the face of such a cruel diagnosis and fund life saving research.

Oh and while I've got your attention, go check your tits!

MND Association
This year I've spent ten years working at the MND Association and in that time I've met so many inspiring people. Motor neurone disease is such a horrific condition. Imagine being locked in a failing body; being unable to tell your family you love them, scratch that itch, get yourself a drink when you're thirsty. That can be the reality for the six people diagnosed with MND in the UK every day. The money raised will help to provide care and support for people affected by MND, and fund research to help find a cure.

Thank you so much for reading this essay, and if you can, your donation. I'm so grateful for every penny and it will help to make every (painful!) step worth it.