Natasha's Race for Life

Okay, so here is my story: When I was 9 years old, my mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. If I’m honest, I didn’t really know what that meant at the time. I can remember thinking it wasn’t a big deal and it’s all okay, because my mummy was going to get better just like she always did when she was poorly. I remember all of my family and friends telling me that ‘if anyone can beat this, it’s your mum!’ And It seems like only yesterday she was telling my brother and I ‘my hair is going to fall out for a little while, and then I’ll actually go bald! But don’t worry, because it will grow back soon once this is all over’. Being 9 years old, I didn’t recognise her strength and courage through those light hearted words - however now being 21, it’s that exact same strength that I derive from and go about my day to day life. I was 11 years old when she passed away. I remember the day exactly. 25th September 2009 - I was 3 weeks into year 7. I had gotten back from school and after an hour of being home, we received the call from the hospice. I remember the car ride with my dad and my mother’s father. Utter silence. We went and said our goodbyes and after that everything is a total blur. I can’t remember the funeral, or even probably the next 2-3 years of my life after that. It’s funny how our minds just completely shut out and close off any bad memories or times in our lives. Yet I can remember family friends and my school friends telling me ‘your so strong’ and ‘I don’t know how you do it, I couldn’t cope if I lost my mum’, and at the time, I probably did cope with it really well. But, people tell you when you’ve lost someone you love, it gets easier with time, yet I completely disagree. As I have gotten older and started to experience life, I realise every single day that there are so many things I want to share with my mum; from going through exam times, getting my first boyfriend, having my heart broken or moving into my first house to buying a really cool mug or wondering if this top suits me and looks nice on me. Every day I miss her. I know I wouldn’t be the person who I am today without having lost my mum - I feel I have a slightly more enlightened view on life, yet I would trade that all in a heartbeat to have her here again. It’s been 10 years this year since my mum passed away, and I would like to do something in her memory to celebrate the magnificent, viberant, loving, beautiful soul she once was and still is living through me! Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a runner, never liked it, never had the discipline or patience for it, yet doing this run and having the dedication to get myself to a certain level of fitness to be able to do this, is something she would be incredibly proud of me for doing (as she always use to call me a chubba’!). Now I know 5k may not seem like a lot to some people, but it is to me! And this is all for her. Raising money for this fantastic and amazing cause can help prevent other young girls, who have just started high school, just started to get weird feelings and boys and going through a massive change in their lives (yes, I’m on about periods and becoming a WOMAN), from going through what I have, and missing out on one of the most important role models they will have in their lives. So please, help a girl out and let’s smash that £1500 target, all in donation to this beautiful cause! Mumma, 10 years you’ve been gone. I love you so much - forever and always, your baby girl xxx