Why I’m fundraising...
In late 2022 I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. After major surgery and 18 weeks of chemotherapy I was declared NED (no evidence of disease) in August 2023.
I am running the London marathon to help support the vital work Target Ovarian Cancer do to help raise awareness of Ovarian Cancer.
It came as a complete shock to me when I was originally told I had suspected OC by my GP as I had very few symptoms, just some stomach bloating.
https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/about-ovarian-cancer/symptoms
There were many times during my diagnosis and treatment when I rang up the Target Ovarian Cancer's helpline and spoke to their amazing specialist nurses for advice and support.
I also joined Target Ovarian Cancer's excellent My Next Steps course last Autumn. The course helps women begin their recovery after treatment and gives support and tools to help take positive steps forward. It was also a wonderful opportunity to connect with others who have the same shared experiences of this disease.
Any donation you are able to make, however small, will be helping to fund this amazing charity.
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Target Ovarian Cancer is the UK's leading ovarian cancer charity working to improve early diagnosis, fund life-saving research and provide support to women with ovarian cancer.
Awareness of ovarian cancer is low, its share of UK research funding has dropped and three quarters of women with ovarian cancer say they do not get the support they need.
Together we can make sure women in the UK have the best chances of survival and get the right support at the right time, in a way that's right for them.
Raise awareness. Fund research. Save lives.
My Updates
I did it!
Wednesday 24th Apr
Wow! What a day - London marathon lived up to all expectations and I loved every minute of it. The crowd, the route, running down the Mall…I felt so lucky to be able to experience it all.
It was a very emotional day as there were many times in the last 18 months when I had my doubts about being able to physically run or walk the 26.2 miles. I feel so very fortunate for the treatment I received at Nottingham City Hospital and the love and support of my family and all the kind wishes and donations from friends and colleagues - a big thank you to you all.
Almost there…
Friday 12th AprTraining done (more or less!) and tapering now…
Nervous anticipation is an understatement...feeling a little worried about the big day and now only 8 days away. It will be tough (all marathons are!) and expecting it to take around 6 hours given my current fitness levels. Hopefully it's not too hot, windy or stormy on the 21st April in London either!
But whatever happens I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to be on that starting line given what I’ve been through these last 18 months. To be able to take part in such an amazing event and more importantly to raise money for Target Ovarian Cancer means everything to me.
Thank you to everyone who has donated and all your kind words 🙂
Starting to run
Sunday 3rd Mar I started doing couch to 5k towards the end of my chemotherapy as I was determined to try and get some fitness back. By November I was able to run regularly and was looking forward to starting my training for the London marathon,Thank you to my Sponsors
£26.50
Vicki
£25
Katie Wardle
You're incredible Kate and already raised £1000! Well done mate 🙌🥰🫶
£106
Elizabeth Howe
£10.60
Jenny Winch
Well done Kate - Friary Diners wish you well!
£106
Nick Howe
Enjoy (?) the London marathon. So proud of you Kate - you're an inspiration xx
£53
Alison Crook
£5.30
Paula Raftery
Well Done Howeee! An inspiration...
£31.80
Gillian Trenholme
What an achievement Kate. Well done you. Xx
£10
Asta Medisauskaite
£10.60
Susan Bariotakis
Good luck Kate! Such an achievement.
£10.60
Safiyyah Patel
£31.80
Andrea' Ostle
£26.50
Kunika Kakuta
Well done Kate for completing the marathon, what a stunning achievement! Xx
£10
Faye
Kate, well done on fundraising for a great cause. We are very lucky to have you in our team.
£50
Vanessa Copsey
Just amazing! Good luck and enjoy!
£100
Sheilah And Family
All our love and best of luck on the day xxx
£10.60
Esther Davey
Good luck
£10.60
Penny Reid
£200
Anon
Good luck Kate
£53
Annabel
Great work Kate!
£5.30
Melanie Hill
£26.50
Julia Henderson
Good Luck Kate - you are an inspiration x
£10.60
Gaynor Jones
So delighted you're doing this, good luck, you're ever more amazing.
£31.80
Emma H
£25
Victoria Wright
£10.60
Millie Caffull
Incredibly inspirational
£5
Jane Stubbs
Well done on your journey so far and enjoy the marathon
£26.50
Margaret Sherwin
£40
Helen Turner-groves
Inspirational! You absolute legend x
£10.60
Catherine Phillips
£26.50
Katie L
Well done on your amazing achievement
£5
Rupa
Sending love & light. All the best x
£50
Lee Standen
inspirational! you will smash it!
£50
Valerie Binks
£26.50
Taylor
Go Kate Go
£10.60
Andrew Rule
Well done Kate - great effort 👏👏
£54
Susan Anderson
You are a legend. Heres something to get you over the target. Good luck Kate, super impressed with you xx
£5.30
Deborah Parris
A great charity to run for - go smash London!
£100
Rim A
Always an inspiration for us all
£10
Wendy Conibear
You are definitely an inspiration - have a fab marathon run next week. :)
£26.50
Sarah Goodchild
Good luck Kate
£10
Julie Brown
With your positive mindset, I'm sure you'll crack this tough challenge Kate. Wishing you all the best.
£10.60
Deborah Caleb
Inspirational Kate, Good luck on the run !
£10.60
Ian Calladine
Good luck Kate a week tomorrow. Having run the 2022 TCS London Marathon, I am delighted to reassure you that this will be one of the best runs of your life. Glad that you are cancer free now. Best Wishes, Ian :-) X x x
£31.80
Kirsty Grewcock
What an inspiration you are. Just months from finishing chemo and surgery … and you’re running a marathon to raise money to help others just like us … the Wednesday gang will be tracking you and willing you on … you deserve a medal for getting to the start line xxx enjoy the support x
£21.20
Lois Haruna-cooper
What an amazing journey over the past year! Wishing you all the best as you finish your training and I hope to see you on the finish line. Well done and best of luck xxx
£10.60
Torey White
You're such an inspiration! Will be thinking of you on race day :)
£10
Anna J
Good luck Katie !
£10
Fran Pitman
Good luck Kate, you're amazing! xxx
£31.80
Natalie Clark
You are awesome and so inspiring 🤩 So lucky I got to meet you and the rest of the Wednesday Club. We'll all be cheering you on! Xxxx
£53
Mark Colwill
Go gorgeous - you've got this xxx
£21.20
Angela Percival
Good luck Kate!! Fantastic amount of money to raise ❤️
£10
Karen Nicoll
You are amazing, such an inspiration. Soak up the atmosphere like a true champ 🏆
£53
John-george Nicholson
I'm so happy and proud of you...a huge inspiration. You're amazing. This will be the cherry on the cake, but you're already incredible on the start line. Enjoy it on the day, pace yourself well and drink lots. I highly also recommend a few high fives at the beginning with the crowd. They feel great. Later on you're kinda busy! Take care and hopefully see you on the day!!! X
£53
Deirdre W
You are such a kind, enthusiastic and intelligent woman, Kate. Thank you for inviting us to cheer you on and to donate to such a special charity. Let us know if you need any plasters for the blisters! Lots of love, Deirdre W
£10.60
Diana Bell
£26.50
Simpson
Good luck Kate Go smash it 🏃♀️ Xxxx
£10
Jenny Meredith
Good Luck Kate!
£10.60
Bhavini Patel
You are truly inspirational Kate not only in your recovery and determination but also in raising awareness of this terrible disease. Wishing you the very best - you've got this!! xx
£53
Carol Farguson
Well done misses. You are an inspiration. Good luck in the marathon, see you on the roadside. Carol
£50
Marcia Rigby
One step at a time Kate!! So immensely pleased that you are where you are on your cancer journey and are now determined to help others who are embarking on theirs. Will be cheering you on very loudly on the day. Take care and lots of love xx Oh and do keep the shorter hair you look amazing 😻
£53
Rowena Viney
Amazing Kate, all the best for the fundraising and the actual marathon!! Ro x
£10.60
Jane Pannell
Sorry to hear about your illness Kate. But glad you are well now and I hope you LOVE LONDON XXX Make sure you win. Jane (Janeushka) xx
£10.60
Kerry Calvo
We will all be rooting for you, Kate!
£25
Katherine Woolf
Well done Kate, amazing!
£20
Jude And Rob
Kate - good luck and well done for everything you have overcome and everything you are doing for others x
£10.60
Andy Houghton
£26.50
Emma Thompsett
Kate, what an amazing journey you have been on- you truly are an inspiration. I have every faith you will be crossing that finish line at the end of April- you can do it!
£26.50
Jayne Kavanagh
You're a hero Kate!
£21.20
Heidi & Jonathan Shewell-cooper
Such a remarkable achievement - hope the trip round London is good
£10
Polly Thompson
Amazing achievement Kate, well done! xx
£26.50
Tom Olney
£53
Izzie Jay
£25
Lisa Andrews
I know you will smash this Kate! You're amazing and doing it for such a special cause xx
£26.50
Maresa
Wishing you all the best for your next run, Kate! Sending you all the support and cheer from the side lines. Congratulations on your immense journey so far!
£10.60
Billie Josef
Faster than a speeding gazelle! Good luck Kate x
£25
Emma Kelley
Best of luck with the training Kate! You're such an inspiration xx
£25
Margaret Sherwin
£26.20
Gianpaolo Manalastas
Absolute hero - go smash it!
£10.60
Nicole Halliday
Amazing achievement, Kate!
£26.50
Sarah Bennett
So glad you are well and so impressed that you are doing this!
£10.60
Carol Worsfold
You’re Amazing, Kate! xx
£20
Katie Wardle
You absolutely smashed the marathon Kate, massive congrats, was so great seeing you!!
What an amazing thing to do!