This July I will donning my trainers and participating in three running events in a bid to raise £3,000 for the Cancer Vaccine Institute (CVI):

8 July

London 10k

22 July

10 Miles from Stratford Olympic Park to Peter Jones, Sloane Square

29 July

Brighton Trailblazer - an offroad hilly 10k in the South Downs

So why am I subjecting myself to this month of madness?

I am raising money for the Lucy Sands Tribute Fund which is a part of the Cancer Vaccine Institute; the charity that supported Lucy, my brother’s darling fiancée and my future sister in law.

Lucy was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in December 2006. Whilst definitely scared of the potential consequences Lucy stayed positive, never asking why me? Lucy bore numerous operations and treatments with an incredible repose. Lucy came under Professor Dalgleish's watch in 2010 and participated in a number of experimental trials of cancer vaccines. When her health deteriorated she started a course of chemotherapy and this, in conjunction with the vaccine, had a remarkable effect. After four months she was back at work, going to weddings and parties and living a normal life. Unfortunately this did not last and Lucy died in December 2011 aged 28.

Lucy’s positive response to the treatment she received by the CVI was defined as outstanding.  There is no doubt that this vaccine has more to give to other sufferers, and your donation can help transform the future of cancer treatment.  Cancer, of all types, is an incredibly cruel disease that destroys dreams one by one and it is imperative that Professor Dalgleish's research continues.

Lucy was not only extremely beautiful, but she was an incredibly gentle and loving soul and a welcome member of our family. She is greatly missed by all of her family and friends and we hope that by raising money for the CVI further progress will be made into the treatment of melanoma and other cancers.

For further information follow the link www.lstf.co.uk