MUM-of-two Kate Stewart is fulfilling a dream to run the Virgin London Marathon and is joining a unique team to raise funds and awareness of the most common cancers in men and women.
First-time marathon runner Kate is hoping to do her bit to raise £1 million for The Prostate Cancer Charity and Breast Cancer Care with TeamPB, a team of runners taking on the 26.2-mile race across the capital on Sunday.
Kate grew up in Woodcroft and her mum, Jane Williams, a former Chepstow health visitor still lives in the village. Both Mrs Williams and her mother, Joyce Nash have survived cancer.
Kate said: "Every year I've said I'd love to run the London Marathon but I hate running and I've never had the courage to try. But this year is different. It's 2012, it's an Olympic year and the charity I work for, The Prostate Cancer Charity, is the joint official charity for the Virgin London Marathon alongside Breast Cancer Care.
"Together we have built TeamPB (prostate and breast; pants and bra; pink and blue and personal best) and I am very proud to be a part of it and totally terrified of what's ahead!
"In January this year I could run for 10 minutes but my terror and fear that I might not get through this, I hope, will end on Sunday April 22 when the 26.2 miles is complete and I collapse in a heap with a very large drink.
"But for the 750,000 men and women diagnosed with prostate cancer and breast cancer in the UK every year, their terror is just beginning and may never end.
"These cancers kill all too often. Men and women who have so much life left to live are struck down leaving families devastated and futures shattered."
Kate, who works as VIP manager at The Prostate Cancer Charity and now lives in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, added: "That's why I'm running the London Marathon.
"Every mile for me will be a step in memory of brilliant men and women whose lives have been tragically cut short by these merciless diseases – Phil Baldy, Andy Ripley, Judy Stewart, wonderful people who have meant so much to me and taught me so much about life.
"I will also be running for all those men and women who have survived these diseases, especially my mum and my granny and all the volunteers I work with.
"They have all had to face the 'C' word and the fear that comes with it. I desperately want to raise as much money as I can so that anyone facing a cancer diagnosis has access to the best treatment, the best support and the best research and information available when they need it most.
"Every penny will help. And I know that the money I raise will go to two charities working tirelessly to provide that and who are ultimately fighting for a future free from cancer.
"It's been tough fitting in the training with two small children, a very hard-working husband, a love-hate relationship with my trainers, fundraising and a part-time job with a 150-mile commute but in all honesty – it's the least I can do," she added.
Kate, who is 43, is one of 800 people who will form TeamPB.
She added: added: "Thank you to everyone who has supported me in 16-weeks of training, my husband Jim and my children Charlie and Emily, all my family and friends and the people of Tutshill, Chepstow and the Forest of Dean who have put up with me wearing my pants and bra over my pink training gear to raise awareness of TeamPB and cheered me along the roads – I really, really appreciate it."
Kate has already raised nearly £3,000 for TeamPB. If you would like to sponsor her visit http://uk.virgin">http://uk.virgin
moneygiving.com/katestewart
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