I am embarking on the ancient pilgrimage of the Camino Frances on 24 April. Starting my walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishing in the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, I am hoping the journey will take me approximately 35 days based on an average of 15.5 miles per day.

In 1980's my father Bruce Mitchell was President of the charity CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Children) which later became Young Lives vs Cancer. As Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough in 1982/83 he raised money for CLIC and the British Heart Foundation. With the help of RAF Innsworth he raised a very considerable amount of money shared by the two charities. He also founded and competed in the Tewkesbury Half Marathon with about 1000 competitors and which still today, forty years later, raises money for charities.

My father continued to support this charity throughout his life until his death in November 2017.

I am proud to now continue to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer, following in my father’s footsteps.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer life becomes full of fear, for them and their families. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, by overwhelming money worries, of having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to. Young Lives vs Cancer, helps families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them.

Every day twelve more children and young people hear the devastating news they have cancer. Young Lives vs Cancer helps them to face it all together, united with their families, supporting them in every aspect of their lives – but we can’t do it without your help.

Donations of any size are welcome.