Hi - Thank you for visiting my Race for Life fundraising page.

This time last year, I signed up for Race for Life, thinking it would be a jolly good way of getting fit while raising money for a very good cause.  Exactly one week later, my sister Catherine was diagnosed with breast cancer - just four months before her wedding.

Thankfully, Catherine's treatment - chemo and surgery - has gone brilliantly well. The wedding went off splendidly and she is feeling and looking absolutely great. A tribute not only to her amazingly upbeat and positive attitude throughout, but also to the National Health Service, which in her case ran like clockwork and simply couldn't be faulted on any front. But we all know about the 'postcode lottery', and also about the vital importance of early detection and diagnosis.

Tragically, in the eight months since I ran last year's Race for Life, the tally of friends and family members lost to cancer has been higher than could ever have been foreseen - and all of them in their 40s.

I shall be running this race in memory of lost friends and also in thanksgiving for the survival of my sister and others.  There will be plenty of room on my back for more names, so if you'd like to donate to Cancer Research UK in memory of a loved one, or in thanks for your own survival or that of someone close to you, I'll be more than happy to add as many names to the list as necessary.  I can assure you that reading the messages and names and seeing the photos on the backs of other runners is a great way to keep going on the day. It really does double one's resolve to keep on slogging away round the course.

Last year I raised over £800, though I am certain that some of this was down to people going: 'what? You? Running?  ha ha ha ha ha ha ha CLICK - ooops, I just sponsored you, while laughing like a drain at the very idea, oh well, what the heck, all in a good cause . . .' This year, without the added boost of that 'flabbergasted factor', I've set my sights a little lower, and aim to raise £500 towards the vital, lifesaving work of Cancer Research UK.

Thanks very much  for visiting this page - and, if you do decide to sponsor me, a HUGE thanks in advance for that, too (all pledges will receive individual thanks by email as well).

I will post periodic progress reports re my (ahem!) 'training' here, and photos from the big day on my blog (http://julietdoyle.blogspot.com ).

Thanks again - Juliet xxx

Technical stuff follows:

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me - Cancer Research UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, at least an extra 25% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you when you tick the Gift Aid box.

If you wish your donation to be anonymous, then just call yourself 'anonymous' or something unidentifiable in the 'name' box. If you'd prefer to donate offline, then you can post me a cheque or postal order made out to Cancer Research UK, or alternatively just stuff some used fivers into my hand when you see me.

*********UPDATE*************

For an update on my so-called 'training', see http://julietdoyle.blogspot.com/2008/07/race-for-life-training-update.html

THANKS to everyone who's sponsored me so far, both online and off. I'm immensely touched and grateful.  Thank you so much.

****** DID IT!! ********

27 July - Managed to run today's Race for Life - the last in the 2008 season - despite blazing heat. See http://julietdoyle.blogspot.com/2008/07/race-for-life-essex-university-27-july.html for a full account with pics.